The grad show features students from the Communication Design diploma, Web and Mobile App Development diploma and Advanced Digital Design and Development diploma. The projects featured include web design, web and mobile apps, branding, packaging designs, and behind-the-scenes content all created by the graduating class.
Development of the virtual grad show website itself was a final project for students as part of their Project Management and Capstone courses, which brought together the skills they’ve learned throughout their programs.
“The students worked in groups to develop a website to showcase not only their work, but the work of their classmates and fellow graduates,” said Michelle Simms, instructor of the Project Management course.
The students presented their design to a jury of industry professionals, detailing their design concept, user experience goals and build process.
The jurors selected a winning design, which was then finalized into the grad show website.
“Building the grad website was the culmination of everything we’ve learned in our program,” said student Ryan Dragon. “It touched on multiple coding languages, software and frameworks that we had learned, as well as project management and team work in an online setting. It was a really great way to finish up our program.”
Along with the website build, students developed supporting graphics for web and social media promotion.
Previously held in person, the grad show pivoted to a digital show last year due to COVID-19. Moving to a digital platform broadened the reach of the show and the connections students were able to make with industry.
“One of the best things about working in this field is the flexibility of location – you can do the work from anywhere,” said Megan Wilson, DIGITAL Design + Development program coordinator. “Industry connections are important, not just locally, but across the province, country and around the world.”
Digital design and web development has seen a growth in demand over the last 12 months and is expected to continue. WorkBC lists web designers &developers, graphic designer & illustrators, computer programmers & interactive media developers and software engineers & designers as high opportunity occupations.
“The WorkBC projections reflect what we’re hearing from industry and our grads – there’s an incredible demand for the skills our students are learning,” said Wilson. “We’re very excited to see where these new grads go and to follow them as they begin their careers.”
Meet the 2021 DIGITAL Design + Development grads at the Virtual Grad Show here: https://learndigital.dev/.
You can learn more about all NIC’s DIGITAL Design + Development programs at www.nic.bc.ca/digital-design-development.
