School Focus: Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Canadian Print Scholarships (CPISTF) is proud to partner with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), a school that helps students build practical, career-ready skills for today’s printing industry and the broader world of graphic communications. Scholarships play an important role in that journey, easing financial pressure so students can focus on learning, building portfolios, and gaining the confidence to step into creative and production-focused roles.
Program Spotlight
At SAIT, the Interactive Design – Graphic Design Major is a two-year diploma offered through the School for Advanced Digital Technology, with learning available at the Calgary Main Campus and online through a blended delivery format. The program is designed to help students bring creative ideas to life while meeting business needs and tackling complex challenges, a balance that reflects how design work shows up in real organizations.
The curriculum blends strong graphic design foundations with interactive and workflow-focused skills. Students develop core abilities in visual storytelling, typography, color theory, digital imaging, and illustration. The program also includes print production training, including packaging, digital press, and bindery equipment, helping learners understand how design decisions translate into real printed outcomes. Students also build web communications skills using HTML, CSS, and Java, explore UX design and digital strategy, and develop business-facing capabilities like product management, data-informed design, and project management. More details are available here: Interactive Design – Graphic Design Major.
Why This Program Matters
Print, packaging, and digital experiences often share the same starting point, clear communication and well-built design systems. A program that covers both print production considerations and interactive design helps graduates collaborate across teams, from creative and prepress through to marketing and digital delivery. The studio-style learning in the second year, which simulates a professional design firm environment, supports the day-to-day reality of client feedback, stakeholder presentations, and deadlines, while the capstone project gives students a chance to bring multiple skills together into a complete solution.
Scholarships and Student Opportunity
For many students, the cost of tuition and required technology can add pressure during an already demanding program. CPISTF scholarships help reduce that burden so students can stay focused on coursework, studio projects, and portfolio development. Support can be especially meaningful in a bring-your-own-device program where learners need a capable laptop to run industry tools. With stronger financial stability, students are better positioned to pursue optional co-op experience, explore paths in print, packaging, and graphic communications, and take on the learning that leads to long-term careers.
Looking Ahead
CPISTF appreciates SAIT’s ongoing commitment to preparing designers who can think creatively, work with production realities, and contribute to industry needs. For students exploring a design education, and for employers and supporters who value skilled new talent, this partnership is a practical way to strengthen the future workforce and keep Canadian graphic communications growing.
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Link to Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Link to the Interactive Design – Graphic Design Major program at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
“The mission of Canadian Print Scholarships is to attract the brightest and best students available to the graphic communications industry by providing financial assistance to enroll and continue in a post-secondary management or technical program at an approved institution.”
