At OCAD University, you’ll learn how to develop creative ideas, build brands and tell compelling stories across platforms—from instructors who work in the industry. You’ll build skills in creative strategy, art direction, copywriting, storytelling, design and campaign development while learning to think critically about the audiences and communities you’re communicating with.
The advertising industry is changing rapidly as AI transforms how creative work gets made. That makes the ability to think creatively, develop original ideas, understand people and make strategic decisions more valuable than ever. At OCAD U, you’ll learn to use emerging technologies as creative tools while developing the critical thinking, creativity and adaptability to stay ahead as the industry evolves.
You’ll learn by doing. Guest speakers from leading Canadian agencies, internships and hands-on studio projects connect you with the industry, while fourth-year workshops give you the opportunity to develop your skills developing campaigns.
Unlike programs focused primarily on the technical side of advertising, OCAD U’s Advertising program combines advertising with an art and design education. You’ll work alongside students from other creative disciplines and learn to approach communication challenges from different perspectives. You’ll graduate with a distinctive portfolio, professional experience and the creative and strategic skills to work in agencies, in-house brand teams, digital and social media, design, production and emerging creative fields.
Our alumni include creative leaders working across advertising, design and marketing in around the world.
Program Highlights
At the End of this Program...
At the end of this four-year program, you will earn an Honours Bachelor of Design degree
Admissions Requirements
- For Ontario high school students, a minimum overall average of 70%
- Portfolio
- Statement of Intent
- Official transcripts
- See detailed academic requirements here
Jobs You Can Get
Advertising graduates build careers across creative and strategic roles in agencies, brands, media, design and production.
- Advertising agencies, creative agencies and marketing firms
- In-house creative, marketing and brand teams
- Digital, social media and experience agencies
- Design, branding and communications companies
- Production, film and media studios
Internships & Experiential learning
OCAD U offers so much more than co-ops because creative careers take many forms. Our career services help you build a professional community, valuable experience and skills you need for a meaningful career. Get access to:
- Short experiential learning placements from among hundreds of organizations
- Creative in-class projects with real-world industry partners
- Exclusive summer internships
- Gallery exhibitions of your work
- Freelance creative opportunities
- Jobs after graduation
What You'll Do in the Program
In first year, you’ll take intro to advertising courses and a good base of art and design classes including:
- Typography
- Drawing
- Colour and two dimensional design
- Writing
- Design history
In second year, you’ll learn advertising strategy and concept. You’ll also take:
- Digital advertising design
- Advertising research
- Typography
- Photography
- Your choice of classes in English, social sciences or humanities
Third year features your choice of art classes and:
- Advertising concepts
- Strategy & Futures Thinking
- Advertising storytelling
- Advertising copywriting
- Retail advertising
- User experience
- AI & technology
- Your choice of classes in English, social sciences or humanities
In fourth year, you'll work on developing project campaigns from scratch with your unique voice and style and present to industry experts. You’ll also have the opportunity to enter international advertising competitions.
You will do an independent thesis project and showcase your work at OCAD U's GradEx, the biggest free art and design exhibition in Toronto with over 40,000 visitors
Minors
In all undergraduate programs, you can choose a minor to go along with your major. A minor gives you the opportunity to pursue a focused secondary field, helping you expand your practice, skills and knowledge. They can make you stand out to employers, graduate schools, or in grant applications by showing expertise in more than one field.
You don’t need to choose a minor on your application; once you start at OCAD U, you can choose from over 90 electives to build towards one of our 25 focused minors. Learn more about Minor Programs here.
Meet our alumni
Take the Next Step
Meet Everett Vane
