graphic design school
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the course?
Can I get a discount for Adobe products?
What is the criteria for enrolment?
How do I enrol?
When can I enrol?
What aspects of Graphic Design does this course cover?
How long does the course take to complete?
I've read the course outlines, so I know there are 12 modules. Are there assignments at the end of these modules?
Can I get a discount for Adobe products?
What is the criteria for enrolment?
How do I get my assignments marked?
I have work and family commitments, are there strict deadlines and due dates for assignments?
Will I graduate with a portfolio in hand?
Will I be able to use my portfolio to help gain entry into university.
I already work in the design industry, I am a more or less self taught. Does your course apply to me?
What kind of software will I need to own to study?
What kinds of resources will I have to pay for once I'm a student of the online graphic design school?
What kinds of interaction can I expect from my instructor and my fellow students in the Graphic Design School?
How does e–learning in the online graphic design school vary from a real life classroom?
More Questions?
How much is the course?
All information on payments and payment plans can be found on the enrolments page of this site.
Can I get a discount for Adobe products?
Yes you can. It is very important to understand the type of discounts that you are entitled to when you study with The Graphic Design School. Adobe has very little documentation about this and it can be very confusing. So lets set the record straight!
There are two types of Adobe discounts for students. One is called a ‘Student Discount’ and the other is called an ‘Education Discount’.
Student discounts are eligible only for students who study at least 2 years full time this discount is generally 80% off retail price; As a student of The Graphic design School you are not eligible for this type of discount.
Education discounts are eligible for other students undertaking serious study courses, this discount is generally 60% off retail price. As a ‘The Graphic Design School’ student you are entitled to the Education Discount. TGDS has partnerships with certified Adobe dealers in various parts of the world. If you wish to take advantage of Adobe product discounts, once enroled with the school, just let us know and we will send you out an official letter stating your enrolment status along with the best point of contact to purchase your education package. We have established relationships with friendly Adobe dealers, they know which Adobe products are needed for course completion and they are also happy to offer The Graphic Design School students.
For a an official guide on the above mentioned see this handy chart by registered Adobe Reseller http://www.studica.com/images/storage/EU-Adobe-Student.htm
What is the criteria for enrolment?
The only prerequisite that the school has in place for enrolment is that you be 18 or over. If you are under 18 and wish to study, please seek the approval of a parent or guardian.
How do I enrol?
You may enrol directly through the site on the enrolments page. Once you have paid your fees, we will send you your unique username and password. You will have direct access to your very own student site, called the Schoolyard. In the Schoolyard you will have access to an e-library, training videos, forum, and your course. You may begin learning straight away.
When can I enrol?
Enrolments couldn't be easier. The school takes enrolments all year round, and as the course is self paced you can start your first module at anytime. Just go to the enrolments page, choose your method and payment plan and enrol, you will be online and learning within a matter of hours!
What aspects of Graphic Design does this course cover?
The graphic design course online curriculum page on this site explains in detail the aspects of design covered in this course.
How long does the course take to complete?
The course takes an average of 30 weeks to complete. The course is self paced, so you will never feel pressure to submit assignments within a certain time frame.
I've read the course outlines, so I know there are 12 modules. Are there assignments at the end of these modules?
Yes, each module has an engaging and portfolio building assignment at the end. There are also studies that need to be completed through out the modules to help you start to process and think like a professional designer.
How do I get my assignments marked?
All communication is done online through the student secure site, you will never have to send assignments via the post. There is an easy to use upload facility for your assignments once you have finished them within the student site. The Assignments are sent directly to your graphic design tutor. He or she will promptly mark your assignment and give you valuable and concise feedback along with your grades.
I have work and family commitments, are there strict deadlines and due dates for assignments?
No. The graphic design course online is self paced, you will never be harassed to hand in your next assignment. Students have up to one year to complete the course. With the possibility of an extension if needed.
Will I graduate with a portfolio in hand?
The course has been designed so that each assignment will have a final role in establishing a professional and dynamic portfolio. Your tutor will help you shape your portfolio, resume and cover letters to get you the job in the area of design that interests you the most.
Will I be able to use my portfolio to help gain entry into university.
University acceptance is highly competitive, students need to demonstrate a thorough interest and understanding of design in their portfolio. Although there are no guarantees and many factors that determine university acceptance. Successful completion of this course will arm you with a diverse and interesting portfolio and understanding of the principles and foundations of great graphic design.
I already work in the design industry, I am a more or less self taught. Does your course apply to me?
Nearly half of our students are practicing designers from different disciplines of design. These days it is very easy to teach yourself over the net by persisting with free software training videos on you tube or the like. The fact of the matter is that software training is the least important element when it comes to learning about graphic design. There are many people who are very proficient in the Adobe suite, yet do not have the design foundations to make the ‘right’ design decisions during the design process. Software execution and design concepts are worlds apart, ask any designer. Depending on how proficient you are in the Adobe suite: you may find the software learning components of the course a little too basic. No need to worry. The course focuses on tying software skills together with solid design foundations. We focus on creating designers that can react creatively and thoroughly to a design brief, who employ knowledge and notion of great design. Please read the course outlines thoroughly to get a better understanding of whether what we are teaching is right for you and your career path.
What kind of software will I need to own to study?
The course is taught in the Adobe creative suite: Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign, and free to download Open Source software programs; Inkscape, Gimp and Scribus. Once inside the student secure site, you will be given step by step instruction on how to download the open source programs as well as how to obtain free Adobe trials if needed.
What kinds of resources will I have to pay for once I'm a student of the online graphic design school?
We ask you to invest in a few simple materials such as a simple visual diary, a few artist pencils and a good eraser. Any other student materials are completely optional (we artists just love an art supply store, like kids in a candy shop). In your course fees you have paid for access to the following:
- An electronic library, packed with latest design magazines, books and videos,
- Tutors and Student Support at the click of a button,
- An online network of established highly viewed portfolio sites for student works,
- A forum dedicated to student queries and exchanging of ideas.
- Your own personal gallery for your best works. The school will choose the best works for exhibition on highly frequented portfolio sites.
- Easy upload of assignments, never any need to post a thing!
What kinds of interaction can I expect from my instructor and my fellow students in the Graphic Design School?
Our tutors grade and give you valuable feedback on all twelve of your assignments. Throughout the graphic design course you will be introduced to the idea of keeping a visual journal. We will guide you step by step in ways throughout each module, that you can build your own visual library of ideas in this journal. This journal is also a great way for you to communicate ideas to your fellow students and staff. You can also ask questions or exchange inspirational ideas or links to share on the student forum. Communication with fellow students and tutors is a great way for you to ‘nut out’ issues that you might be having throughout the course. Learning can be a challenge, and we find that there is always somebody out there that will be experiencing the same kind of challenge as you. Our strong student and tutor community is of the utmost importance to us, and we believe a key part of our success.
How does e–learning in the online graphic design school vary from a real life classroom?
That's another great question without a single answer, each student discovers for his or herself the conveniences of e–learning from home in their own way. Besides passing on the costs that we save on infrastructure and rent, the most reported convenience is cutting down the amount of travel time and travel expenses. But do all of the conveniences really outweigh being in an interactive classroom environment... the answer is simple YES, YES, YES! The Graphic Design School has dedicated thousands of man hours to fine tuning our Online Graphic Design Course so that our students can benefit MORE from an e–learning experience with us than a real life classroom environment. Our pool of course authors are among the best teachers that fine arts education has to offer, making our course content a cut above the teachings of the ‘average’ real life course professor. Its important to note here that its not only our opinion, independent studies show that e-learners are consistently more satisfied with the level of interaction in online courses than they have previously had in traditional courses. To get a glimpse of what e-learning is like with The Graphic Design School Canada take a look at the video on page two of this site.
More Questions?
If you have another question we would love to hear from you, drop us a line info@thegraphicdesignschool.com
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