Specialist High Skills Major
COMMUNICATION & DESIGN
For SHSM program information contact:
Jaclyn Canas - SHSM Lead Coordinator
Visual Arts, Graphic Design & Photography Teacher, Arts & Technology Department Head
Sarah Storey - Student Services Department Head
THE PROGRAM
The Communication and Design Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program offers students the opportunity to develop strong foundational skills in painting, drawing, photography and graphic design. Students explore traditional art mediums as well as develop skill sets in digital image editing, video, animation, vector art, printmaking, and layout and design. Students learn to create art products based on client and consumer needs while generating a rich and diverse portfolio. Merivale’s SHSM program enhances students art education through additional workshops, field trips, design sector certifications, and visits by design professionals. The Communication and Design program prepares students to enter post secondary programs in graphic design, photography, video production, animation, illustration, web design, mobile application design and other communication and design programs.
To be eligible for the special OSSD SHSM Diploma, students must complete the following requirements:
Communication and Design prepares students to enter a growing industry of design careers.
Designers are being employed in the graphic design and website design industries. Their work includes design projects for interactive media websites, mobile phones, and other technology. Graphic designers create print and internet advertising and promotional materials for a growing number of products and services. The Communication and Design program also prepare students to enter post secondary programs in commercial photography and photojournalism, videography, animaton, illustration, and advertising just to name a few.
