Art and Design Fundamentals student sitting at a desk using a laptop and colour wheel while drawing on a tablet with a stylus

Build your portfolio and prepare for an exciting career as an artist or designer

Art and Design Fundamentals Ontario College Certificate program

Learn new skills. Refine existing ones. Decide where you want to go in your art and design career. Create a portfolio to help get you there.

Program code AADF
Duration 1 Year
Credential Ontario College Certificate
Program Delivery Full-time +
Part-time
Program delivery method(s) Hybrid What does this mean?

Program information

Program description

Creativity is essential for success in the 21st century. Through this program you acquire a solid foundation in art and design. Effective research, problem-solving, and conceptualization skills are combined with hands-on studio experience to learn new skills and techniques in both digital and traditional media. You develop a portfolio of your work, which is essential when applying to specialized art and design programs and positions in the creative field.

Note: As a student in this program, you will not have courses in the summer term. Please review the  located in the program outline for more information.

Intake information

Start dateCampus
Winter 2025 Barrie
Fall 2025 Barrie

Tuition and fees

What are the admission requirements for the Art and Design Fundamentals program?

Art and Design Fundamentals admission requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, mature student status
  • Grade 12 English (C or U)

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

What career paths can I take in art and design?

Your Art and Design Fundamentals certificate gives you many career opportunities

Graduates are prepared to enter specific art and design diploma programs by developing the fundamental skills and knowledge that form the foundation for future studies. Graduates of the program have gone on to undertake a wide variety of art and design related studies and to pursue creative career opportunities.

Flex MORE. Study Art and Design Fundamentals part-time

Benefits of studying part-time:

  • Register on a course-by-course basis, paying as you go!
  • MORE choices. We are always adding more flexible delivery programs and courses.

What courses are included in the Art and Design Fundamentals certificate program?

Course overview

5 Program Courses
1 Communications Course
5 Program Option Courses
1 General Education Course

Program-specific courses

Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the

  • APDE 1000 – Ideas and Imagery
  • APDE 1001 – Design Fundamentals
  • APDE 1002 – Colour and Design
  • APDE 1006 – Understanding Art and Design
  • DRWG 1004 – Fundamentals of Drawing
  • Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.

Your course delivery method(s)

Hybrid

This program has a hybrid delivery method. Some parts are online and other parts are delivered in person. You’ll need to come to campus for part of your program.

Please note, delivery methods are based on planning for the upcoming semester and are subject to change.

Optional courses

In addition to the mandatory courses, students in Art and Design Fundamentals are able to take a variety of art-related optional courses, which may include:

  • FINA 1002 – Fine Art Studio
  • APDE 1005 – Visual Art Studio: 3D
  • GRPH 1003 – Graphic Design Studio
  • PHOT 1006 – Introduction to Digital Photography
  • DRWG 1007 – Drawing From Your Imagination
  • DRWG 1005 – Analytical Drawing
  • DRWG 1006 – Life Drawing
Graphic Design student with brown hair, glasses, an orange shirt and forearm tattoos using Adobe Photoshop on a Mac computer

Graphic Design

Hands-on, project-based learning to build your portfolio. Includes a work placement and client experience. 100% grad satisfaction.

Graphic Design - Production student with brown, curly hair and glasses using a computer and drawing with a tablet stylus

Graphic Design Production

Hands-on learning in a supportive environment. Use the most current software and production techniques. Embark on an awesome career!

A jewellery designer sitting at a desk in a workshop in a blue collared shirt and brown apron sketching out a design

Jewellery Design, Bench Skills and Business

Get hands-on experience in the jewellery industry, from fabrication to sales. Access industry experts, seasoned faculty, and state-of-the-art studios and technologies.

An artist in a blue denim shirt and beige apron wearing a virtual reality headset while painting on a canvas

Visual and Digital Media Arts

Unleash your creative abilities and artistic skills. Get hands-on experience with the latest digital tools—such as virtual reality—and a range of traditional media.

Do you have questions about Art and Design Fundamentals? Contact us!

Thinking about applying to Â鶹ֱ²¥?

Contact our student recruitment team to explore your study options.

Already applied to Â鶹ֱ²¥?

Connect with the Office of the Registrar for admissions-related questions.

Are you an international student?

Contact our international recruitment team to learn more about studying at Â鶹ֱ²¥. 

Ways to connect

Open House

Visit us in person at Open House on Saturday, Nov. 16 at all campuses.

Campus tours

Take a guided, in-person tour
of our campuses.
Book a campus tour.

One-on-one appointments

Book a phone appointment
with a recruitment specialist.
Connect with a recruiter.

Join our mailing list

Join our email list for event updates, contest information and more.
Sign up for Â鶹ֱ²¥ updates.