Canada is home to several esteemed design colleges and universities, each with a unique approach to design. George Brown College in Toronto is one of the top four design centers in North America, while Ontario College of Art and Design is famous for its focus on imagination. For students who worry about tuition costs, Vancouver College of Art and Design attempts to make its education affordable. All of the schools are leading institutions that offer several degree programs for budding designers interested in design topics ranging from illustration to interior design.
George Brown College
In 2007, Business Week listed George Brown College in its feature on the top 60 design schools in the world. Located in downtown Toronto, Ontario--a city filled with design-related businesses--the school offers a year-long art and design foundation program before students go on to a three-year graphic design program. The program teaches typography, production, drawing and design culture. Students also work on studio projects and, in the final year, concentrate on a major project or thesis. Paul Rowan, co-founder of design retail company Umbra, is an alumnus. George Brown also offers post-graduate programs in areas such as design management and digital design.
George Brown College: School of Design 230 Richmond Street East Toronto, ON M5A 1P4 Canada 416-415-5000 georgebrown.ca/design
Ontario College of Art and Design
Toronto's Ontario College of Art and Design is known as Canada's "university of the imagination." The school offers both bachelor's and master's degrees, including programs in advertising, graphic design, illustration and industrial design. The programs emphasize studio work, and the faculty helps students develop critical thinking skills and creativity. The school also has several student groups, including the Aboriginal Student Association, ID Sketching Group, Mature Student Cafe and Synergy.
Ontario College of Art and Design 100 McCaul Street Toronto, ON M5T 1W1 Canada 416-977-6000 ocad.ca
Vancouver College of Art and Design
Vancouver College of Art and Design features programs that give students hands-on experience, practical work and theoretical study. Degree programs include graphic design, interior design, fashion design, 3D animation and web design. Because the school has a large student body, tuition prices remain low to allow more students to obtain an education without worrying about the cost. In spite of the number of students, Vancouver College of Art and Design prefers to keep classes small, giving students the chance to interact and work closely with instructors.
Vancouver College of Art and Design 1111 Melville Street Vancouver, BC V6E 3V6 Canada 866-378-2411 vcad.ca
