Communication Design Portfolio Requirements

Applying to the Program

The one-year Communication Design advanced diploma is a special selection program that requires applicants already have formal training in graphic design and submit a portfolio of work. A committee will review all portfolio submissions and select those applicants who have demonstrated an advanced ability to express themselves in visual form and who show an interest in expanding their skills and testing the boundaries of design.

Applicants must first apply to the College by the May 10 deadline and meet all College entrance requirements. International applicants should apply to the college through the international student office. Students applying to the Communication Design program must be graduates of the RRC two- year graphic design diploma, or hold an equivalent degree or diploma in graphic design. As this is an advanced program, applicants must possess all the foundation skills to be successful. Spaces are limited and the number of applicants is high.

Portfolio Requirements

Submit your portfolio as a single PDF. The portfolio should contain 10-12 pieces and cover a wide range of skills. The work can be professional or student and must demonstrate the following skills:

• concept development
• corporate/editorial
• campaign design/branding
• typography – a print/digital project showing superior typographic skills
• website design – describe your role in the design and production (CSS, HTML, JavaScript, jQuery etc). Provide online links where applicable.
• illustration
• print pieces that demonstrate prepress and production skills.
• examples of app design would be an asset.

At the end of the PDF, provide the following information:

• project details that clearly state how each sample applies to a category, your role in the project creation and a brief rationale. Some samples may cover more than one category. Be concise and limit your writing to one page.
• a resume (please include your RRC student number). Be sure you apply to the college before submitting your portfolio. As part of your resume include a list of software skills mastered. The program requires a solid foundation in Adobe Creative Suite – InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, and XD along with CSS and HTML. Experience with After Effects, JavaScript, jQuery and WordPress is an asset.
• a page detailing your professional plans and goals.

Be aware that the Communication Design program is an advanced program and if, in the judgement of the selection committee, an applicant has not shown abilities that are developed to the degree that would seem appropriate for successful completion of the program, the applicant will not be recommended for admission. Deadline to apply for the program is May 10.

Submitting Your Portfolio

Please submit your PDF portfolio via email (if under 8MB), or email a direct link to your PDF
(not a shared folder) using an online storage service (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.). before the deadline of May 20 at 4pm, to the Program Chair at ljamieson@rrc.ca.

Questions

If you have any questions about any of the portfolio items or process please contact the Program Chair Lisa Jamieson at ljamieson@rrc.ca.