Overview

The Interactive Design program with a Graphic Design major is your gateway to a tech-focused career in design. This comprehensive program equips you with the skills needed to bring your creative ideas to life while meeting business needs and solving complex challenges.

In this program, you will: 

  • develop expertise in graphic design, illustration, and visual storytelling using master foundational design principles and tools
  • cultivate creativity and critical thinking to tackle design challenges
  • harness data to inform your designs while staying current with industry, media trends and user preferences
  • become proficient in project management and how to optimize your workflow for efficient design execution
  • learn to collaborate effectively, emphasizing user-centric design for impactful products
  • tailor designs to specific audiences, driven by user experience and behaviour, interactivity and preferences
  • develop a portfolio that showcases your skills with client-ready projects that demonstrate applied design concepts
  • create print and graphic design master layouts, with composition and visual hierarchy for diverse print media
  • create captivating designs with effective use of typography, colour theory, and visual elements that will help you develop your unique design philosophy
  • carry out hands-on packaging projects and learn digital press and bindery equipment skills.

Our program will help you to realize your goals as a graphic designer in an innovative and tech-driven field. Prepare for success in this ever-evolving design industry as you bring your career vision to life.

Graphic designers tend to be innovative, methodical and social.

You need:

  • discretion in dealing with client information and industry secrets
  • creativity
  • self-discipline
  • drawing ability and visual sense
  • attention to detail
  • analytical thinking
  • communication skills
  • time-management and organizational skills
  • marketing skills
  • resilience
  • to be very comfortable using computers.

You should enjoy synthesizing information and finding innovative ways to present ideas, taking a methodical approach to your work, consulting with people, learning from constructive criticism and navigating multiple deadlines. 

You can participate in an optional work term after your first year.

You'll also complete in a capstone project in your second year, where you'll investigate issues across many different subject areas or domains of knowledge, connect with community issues or problems, and create a solution.

Upon successful completion of this program, you'll be awarded a SAIT Interactive Design diploma with a major in Graphic Design.

Download program info

Careers and opportunities

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education. 

Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 52120, 52111, 10022, 11202, 21233.

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Career counselling and support

Unsure which career path is for you? SAIT offers career planning services to help you decide your future.

You can also get started by taking our online career finder quiz, which can help you narrow down your search based on your current skills and interests.

Finally, you can also head to Alberta alis for various tools and resources, including additional quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a career path.

Courses

The Interactive Design - Graphic Design diploma requires 60 credits (19 courses) to complete.

The program spans two years, with two semesters each year.

View classes by semester

You must take all of the following courses to complete this program.

Interactive design core

Course Credits

This course is designed to develop technical writing and presentation skills to ensure workplace readiness. Students will learn how to evaluate communication situations, analyze documents, assess research sources and develop organizational skills to apply in their work. They will learn about and practice designing, formatting and writing a range of professional documents. Students will also develop confidence (through practice) in the development and delivery of effective and engaging presentations.

3

Building on previous knowledge in web design and development, learners will apply design and development techniques to responsive designs enabling access for all devices. Advanced web development frameworks will be used along with advanced scripting patterns. Emphasis will be placed on debugging client-side code and incorporating backwards compatibility with considerations for accessible design.

Pre-requisites:
  • CPRG 219
3

After completing this course, students will have the technical and design skills needed to develop a simple web page.  Students will understand the basics of computer scripting, and how to use a web scripting language to add functionality to a web page.   

3

Intermediate Visual Design builds upon foundations acquired in earlier coursework with a focus on developing strong creative direction skills to produce effective branding and design solutions. This course explores photomanipulation, branding identity and stakeholder communication through collaborative projects and presentations. Students will examine how to problem solve using a balance of aesthetic, practical and inclusive visual design solutions for digital and print media.

Pre-requisites:
  • DSGN 228
3

The success or failure of software apps and programs often rely on well designed user interfaces (UI) and user experience (UX). In this course, you'll explore the key principles of UX design and the core characteristics of a successful UX designer. You'll examine the role of UX and UI in creating customer value, and you'll outline the UX design process in product development. You will also get hands-on practice applying industry best practices for research and problem definition, as well as designing effective user interfaces. The course concludes with an examination of implementation and usability testing.

3

This is an introductory course covering design theory, the production of media, and the use of production hardware and software tools. Learners will become familiar with bitmap and vector graphics, digital photography, typography and print media tools and techniques. 

3

This course is the first of two studio courses that will prepare you to create solutions to real-world industry problems within a design firm context. This course explores the creative design process through a series of composition, abstraction, and design projects. You will be introduced to a design process based on original thinking, in which you will synthesize collected information and draw conclusions based on established premises. The course will also demonstrate how to generate a number of design alternatives, and evaluate and select the most appropriate one.

Pre-requisites:
  • COMM 238
  • CPRG 218
  • DSGN 221
  • DSGN 227
  • MMDA 203
  • PHIL 241
  • PMGT 200
3

This course is the second of two studio courses that will prepare you to create solutions to real-world industry problems within a design firm context. In the second part of Design Studio, students will explore more complex problems and create solutions and prototypes for presentation and iteration. Increasingly complex projects will provide a foundation for the development of a learner portfolio to support the transition into industry.

Pre-requisites:
  • DSGN 306
6

In this course, learners develop the skills necessary for understanding, interpreting, and thinking about future designs. Learners will understand the theoretical perspectives of speculative design, methods for creating flexible and innovative designs of the future, and techniques for critiquing culture and design. Emphasis will be on creating conceptual design proposals and future design prototypes.

3

In this course learners will explore basic animation theory, motion graphics, and audio and video concepts. Learners will use basic programming scripts to develop basic interactive presentations. 

3

This course explores the fundamental concepts of video audio production, motion graphics and project management. A variety of activities allow you to create visually engaging motion graphics, high-quality audio video content and manage multimedia projects from start to finish. You will gain an understanding of the technical requirements for different media platforms while developing the ability to plan and execute successful multimedia projects. This course provides hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and software, preparing you for careers in the media industry.

Pre-requisites:
  • MMDA 202
3

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to fundamental skills in critical thinking. You will develop skills in identifying fallacies, evaluating formal arguments, and diagnosing the appropriate form of argumentation in a variety of areas, including science and morality. Your skills in argumentation will be honed both in evaluating others' arguments and in making your own.

Equivalents:
  • PHIL 1011
3

Product managers play a strategic and dynamic role in evolving products over their life cycle. In this course, you'll explore the fundamentals of product management, examine the concept of the problem space and establish a product strategy and roadmap to make the most of market opportunities. You'll investigate how to select the best approach to execute software development projects and how to apply a go-to-market strategy for digital products. This course also examines the concept of MVP for startups and how to promote product growth with data-driven decisions.

3

In this capstone course, you will investigate issues across many different subject areas or domains of knowledge, may connect with community issues or problems, and create a solution. Your project should demonstrate the technical and professional skills learned in the program and beyond. You are expected to apply your creativity and problem-solving abilities to a real-world context.

Pre-requisites:

One of the following sets of pre-requisites, as applicable to your program of study:

Information Technology Services

  • CPNT 300, CPSY 302, CPSY 350, INTP 301, and ITSC 300

Software Development

  • CPRG 303, CPRG 304, CPRG 306, CPRG 307, and CPSY 301

Information Systems Security

  • ITSC 203, ITSC 301, ITSC 304, ITSC 307, and ITSC 309

Film and Video Production

  • FVDO 300, FVDO 302, FVDO 303, FVDO 304, and FVDO 308

New Media Production & Design

  • MMDA 300, MMDA 303, MMDA 323, MMDA 324, and MMDA 326

Interactive Design

  • COMM 238, CPRG 218, DSGN 221, DSGN 227, MMDA 203, PHIL 241, and PMGT 200
3

Graphic design core

Course Credits

In this course we will investigate the creation and manipulation of digital images by computer. The course will consist of theoretical material introducing the mathematics of images and imaging, as well as computer laboratory exercises designed to introduce methods of real-world data manipulation. Topics will include representation of two-dimensional data, time and frequency domain representations, filtering and enhancement, the Fourier transform, convolution, interpolation, colour images, and techniques for animation.

Pre-requisites:
  • DSGN 221
3

The course is designed to provide an in-depth, practical, and up-to-date look at all major aspects of digital marketing, including selling products and services online, search engine optimization, social media marketing, and executing pay per click advertising.

Pre-requisites:
  • DSGN 304
3

Building on previous visual design concepts, this course covers the advanced topics in visual design and communications with emphasis on gravity, directionality, priority, tension, dynamic and static design, and negative space.  Application of these topics are contextualized within the design industry through the integration of style guides, client presentations, design systems, product roadmaps, and development hand-off.

Pre-requisites:
  • DSGN 221
3

This course will allow learners to study letter forms and understand fundamental typographic principles with an emphasis on the vocabulary of typographic form and its relationship to message/purpose. Additional topics on the translation of typographic design to print will be explored.

3

This course provides an overview of the process of preparing print communication materials for reproduction, from concept to completion. Students are introduced to production workflow models in use today. Through a series of assignments, requires students to prepare and execute press-ready files of a professional standard. Using industry standard software tools students will compile documents that are technically correct according to industry-standard workflow methods. The proper preparation and inclusion of vector and raster files is explored alongside colour synchronization, and colour management across applications.

3

Course Credits

This cooperative work term course provides the opportunity to apply your classroom learning in a practical workplace setting, as well as gain valuable industry experience. This course is optional.

Pre-requisites:

One of the following sets of pre-requisites, as applicable to your program of study:

Information Technology Services

  • CPNT 224, CPRG 217, CPSY 204, CPSY 206, and PHIL 241

Software Development

  • CPRG 211, CPRG 250, CPSY 200, CPSY 202, and PHIL 241

Information Systems Security

  • ITSC 204, ITSC 205, ITSC 206, ITSC 302, and LAWG 200

New Media Production & Design

  • MMDA 225, MMDA 237, MMDA 243, MMDA 244, and MMDA 247

Film and Video Production

  • FVDO 250, FVDO 252, FVDO 254, FVDO 256, and FVDO 258

Journalism

  • JOUR 251, JOUR 254, JOUR 258, PHOT 256, and PUBL 261

Interactive Design

  • CPRG 218, DSGN 221, DSGN 227, MMDA 203, and PMGT 200

Integrated Artificial Intelligence

  • ARTI 407, ARTI 408, ARTI 409, DATA 480, and PROJ 407
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Progression

You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.

To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure > 

Admission requirements

Applicants educated in Canada

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and completion of the following courses or equivalents:

  • at least 50% in Math 30-1 or at least 60% in Math 30-2, and
  • at least 55% in English Language Arts 30-1 or at least 60% in English Language Arts 30-2.

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside of Alberta.

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

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Academic Upgrading

Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.

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English language proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

Transfer agreements

At SAIT, we evaluate post-secondary credit you have previously earned and apply it to your SAIT credential. Explore our formal transfer agreements available for this program.

We can evaluate your prior education, even if we don't have a formal agreement in place.

Submit a transfer credit application

There are no formal transfer agreements currently in place for this program.

Transfer options for graduates

Build on the knowledge you’ve learned at SAIT. The opportunity to advance your education at an accredited post-secondary institution may be available.

🔗 Visit Transfer Alberta search tool for all transfer agreements in Alberta (including UCalgary, MRU and BVC).

If there are transfer agreements with other institutions outside of Alberta, nationally or internationally, they will be listed below.

Available intakes

Winter 2025

Start dates:

Domestic students: Waitlisted
  • Application deadline: Oct. 25, 2024
International students: Closed
  • Application deadline: Sept. 30, 2024

Spring 2025

Start dates:

Domestic students: Open
  • Application deadline: April 30, 2025
International students: Open
  • Application deadline: March 28, 2025

Fall 2025

Start dates:

Domestic students: Open
  • Application deadline: June 30, 2025
International students: Open
  • Application deadline: May 30, 2025

Costs

2024/25 tuition and fees

The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2024.

Domestic students

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for domestic students is based on the recommended course load per year. 
Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 2 $9,630 $1,608 $11,238
2 2 $9,630 $1,608 $11,238
Total cost:
$22,476

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for international students is based on the recommended course load per year. 
Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 2 $23,580 $1,608 $25,188
2 2 $23,580 $1,608 $25,188
Total cost:
$50,376

Books and supplies are approximately $2,000 per full-time year.

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date. Can't find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they're still refining course details or if you're in luck; no textbook purchase is required this term.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a custom computer hardware and software requirement. 

You require a laptop with an integrated webcam, a smartphone with the ability to record audio and video and headphones with an integrated microphone.

All laptops must meet the following minimum specifications:

  • MacBook Air with M2 chip
  • 8-Core CPU, 10-core GPU
  • 8GB Unified Memory
  • 512GB SSD Storage

The recommended laptop is the 14"Apple MacBook Pro with M2 Pro chip.

Should you wish to use a PC laptop, it must meet minimum power user hardware and software requirements. Some UX designers use software that is only for Mac.

Required software

  • Adobe CC Student Subscription
  • Figma (free for education)
  • FileZilla Client
  • Chrome
  • Visual Studio Code
  • MS Office (included in your program)
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Financial aid

Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.

Application process

When applying in the application portal, select Interactive Design. You will be able to select Graphic Design as your major during the application process.

Ready to apply?

Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.

Learn how to apply

Communication during admission

Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the sadt.advising@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.

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Begin your application

Apply now using the online application portal. 

Ensure you have a valid Visa or Mastercard to pay the non-refundable application fee of $120 for domestic applicants or $175 for international applicants. 

Information sessions

Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.

Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:

  • What sets SAIT apart
  • An introduction to the program and area of study
  • Admission requirements
  • Future career paths
  • Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.

Contact us

School for Advanced Digital Technology Advising

Phone
403.284.8543
Email
sadt.advising@sait.ca

International Student Advising

Phone
403.284.8852
Email
international@sait.ca
a view of the moutains and stream in between

Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.

SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.