VANCOUVER – A new sustainable graphic design program is now available at The Art Institute of Vancouver. The bachelor degree is the first of its kind with a direct focus on sustainability. 

The diploma graphic design program preceding the new degree was just two years, did not include general education courses and did not have a sustainability focus.  

While the diploma and degree programs have many similarities, this new bachelor degree incorporates general education courses and allows for greater faculty interaction over a longer period of time coupled with a growing focus on social consciousness. 

Sunita Wiebe, faculty development director of The Art Institute of Vancouver says, “the program’s aims was to address a growing need for designers who can provide solutions while creating sustainable, eco-conscious designs.” 

Wiebe acknowledges that sustainability has been integrated into many educational programs but this program has a core group of seven courses dedicated to integrating design and sustainable principles: 

• Fundamentals of Sustainable Design
• Principles of Sustainable Design
• Sustainable Design Standards
• Green Campaign
• Sustainable Design Leadership
• Environmental Design
• Senior Research Thesis

The three-year program was granted approval in April 2010 from the Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. It’s first group of students start in May 2010.

Contact: http://aivdegree.com/