George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
Design Management
(Postgraduate) (G401)
Program Details
- Program Code: G401
- Credential: Ontario College Graduate Certificate
- Duration: 1 year (2 semesters)
- Method of Study: Full-time
- Starting Months: January, September
- Domestic Tuition: $12,406.00 *
- International Tuition: $23,800.00 **
- Spring 2026 Delivery: Not Available
Program Availability
| Semester | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Suspended | Suspended |
| Winter 2026 | Suspended | Suspended |
| Spring 2026 | Not Available | Not Available |
- Work-Integrated Learning:
Design Management Internship
- PGWP Eligible: No
Program Description
Program Overview
Launch your career in strategic design management with our one-year postgraduate Design Management certificate program. This innovative program equips you with the skills to lead multidisciplinary design teams in creating products and services that align with strategic business goals. You'll also gain essential business acumen to manage a design consultancy or corporate design division. Join us to master the art of integrating design and business, preparing yourself for a successful career in the dynamic field of design management.
Full Description
Elevate your career with our one-year postgraduate Design Management certificate program. This dynamic program equips you with the skills to lead multidisciplinary design teams and create strategies for products and services aligned with business goals. You'll gain practical tools, interpersonal skills and expertise to manage a design consultancy or corporate design division.
This program is ideal for design professionals aiming to integrate strategic design into their roles, enhance career opportunities or start their own companies. Courses cover design process and strategy, project management, finance, team management, design research, business planning and communications. You'll also engage in a major studio course featuring real-world design projects. Join us to become a leader in strategic design management and drive innovation in your field.
Your Field Education Options
A mandatory Design Management Internship (DESN 1031) course is taken in semester 2. An external field placement role is not guaranteed in this course; students who are not placed externally will engage in a Work-Integrated Project. The work term is 120 hours, part-time, over an eight-week period. The Design Management Internship provides students with exposure to a Design Manager in a Canadian workplace environment.
Learn more about Experiential Learning at the School of Design including how to apply, important dates, workflow, and PLAR eligibility.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Educational Pathways
Alumni Impact
We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.
Latest alumni stories
Courses
Semester 1
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| COMM 1152 | Design Business Communications |
| DESN 1022 | Design Strategy |
| DESN 1023 | Managing Innovation and Creativity |
| DESN 1024 | Managing Design Projects |
| DESN 1027 | Business Design |
| DESN 1028 | Strategic Design Research and Development |
Semester 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DESN 1021 | Design Team Leadership |
| DESN 1025 | Case Studies and Applications |
| DESN 1029 | Major Design Project |
| DESN 1031 | Design Management Internship |
Course Outline URL
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:
- Manage multidisciplinary design groups using practical working models of management systems.
- Analyze evolving market needs to identify design strategies required for the development of new products and services.
- Plan, implement and control project plans that are flexible and reflect the evolutionary environment of the design process.
- Enhance leadership, management, and design expertise through the development of personal and professional development strategies and plans.
- Establish working relationships with clients, customers and designers that maintain and strengthen their loyalty to their organization, and recognize design discipline protocols.
- Develop and implement business strategies to recruit clients and new business opportunities.
- Design and deliver sales presentations persuasively and accurately in oral, written, graphic and digital form.
- Formulate and present comprehensive business plans for design projects.
- Develop design strategies based on perceived value, competitive pressures and corporate objectives.
- Evaluate results of design activities using criteria relating to application of best practices, costs and profits.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
$12,406.00 *
International Tuition
$23,800.00 **
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the estimated total tuition, materials (non-refundable), student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2024. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2025 and at later dates. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
** Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2025. Tuition fees are subject to board approval. Material, student service and ancillary fees are estimated based on prior years. All fees are subject to change without notice. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
Each year we award over $2 million dollars in scholarships, awards and bursaries to first-year students. Check out our financial aid web pages for ways to pay for college and the full list of available scholarships, awards and bursaries.
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Admission Requirements
- Diploma or Bachelor's Degree, or demonstrated competence through related work experience (resume required)
English Language Proficiency
Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English proficiency test results must test at the college level in the George Brown Polytechnic English assessment to be considered for admission. In addition, applicants who are accepted based solely on their work experience will be required to provide proof of English proficiency at the college level, and may be required to write the George Brown Polytechnic English admission assessment.
Please visit the English Proficiency page for more details.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit the Transfer Guide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown Polytechnic Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Design
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2137
Email: design@georgebrown.ca
Design Management program co-ordinator: Toni Allen Toni.Allen@georgebrown.ca
International Students
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Visit Our Campus
This program is part of our School of Design, located at our Waterfront Campus, at 3 Lower Jarvis St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
School of Design Building
The School of Design resides in a new 103,000-square-foot facility in the Daniels Waterfront – City of the Arts development. This state-of-the-art building supports academic programs and industry projects with features such as:
- virtual and augmented reality lab
- usability and testing lab
- Future Ways of Living lab
- peer tutor lab
- digital sandbox
- incubators
- prototyping and workshop spaces
- design and innovation showcase spaces
Come and have your questions answered, learn about the program content and career options, meet your friendly professors and staff and experience what it is like to be in a George Brown Polytechnic classroom at one of our information sessions. You can also book a campus tour.
Program Description
Program Overview
Launch your career in strategic design management with our one-year postgraduate Design Management certificate program. This innovative program equips you with the skills to lead multidisciplinary design teams in creating products and services that align with strategic business goals. You'll also gain essential business acumen to manage a design consultancy or corporate design division. Join us to master the art of integrating design and business, preparing yourself for a successful career in the dynamic field of design management.
Full Description
Elevate your career with our one-year postgraduate Design Management certificate program. This dynamic program equips you with the skills to lead multidisciplinary design teams and create strategies for products and services aligned with business goals. You'll gain practical tools, interpersonal skills and expertise to manage a design consultancy or corporate design division.
This program is ideal for design professionals aiming to integrate strategic design into their roles, enhance career opportunities or start their own companies. Courses cover design process and strategy, project management, finance, team management, design research, business planning and communications. You'll also engage in a major studio course featuring real-world design projects. Join us to become a leader in strategic design management and drive innovation in your field.
Your Field Education Options
A mandatory Design Management Internship (DESN 1031) course is taken in semester 2. An external field placement role is not guaranteed in this course; students who are not placed externally will engage in a Work-Integrated Project. The work term is 120 hours, part-time, over an eight-week period. The Design Management Internship provides students with exposure to a Design Manager in a Canadian workplace environment.
Learn more about Experiential Learning at the School of Design including how to apply, important dates, workflow, and PLAR eligibility.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Educational Pathways
Alumni Impact
We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.
Latest alumni stories
Courses
Semester 1
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| COMM 1152 | Design Business Communications |
| DESN 1022 | Design Strategy |
| DESN 1023 | Managing Innovation and Creativity |
| DESN 1024 | Managing Design Projects |
| DESN 1027 | Business Design |
| DESN 1028 | Strategic Design Research and Development |
Semester 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DESN 1021 | Design Team Leadership |
| DESN 1025 | Case Studies and Applications |
| DESN 1029 | Major Design Project |
| DESN 1031 | Design Management Internship |
Course Outline URL
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
$12,406.00 *
International Tuition
$23,800.00 **
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the estimated total tuition, materials (non-refundable), student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2024. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2025 and at later dates. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
** Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2025. Tuition fees are subject to board approval. Material, student service and ancillary fees are estimated based on prior years. All fees are subject to change without notice. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
Each year we award over $2 million dollars in scholarships, awards and bursaries to first-year students. Check out our financial aid web pages for ways to pay for college and the full list of available scholarships, awards and bursaries.
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Admission Requirements
- Diploma or Bachelor's Degree, or demonstrated competence through related work experience (resume required)
English Language Proficiency
Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English proficiency test results must test at the college level in the George Brown Polytechnic English assessment to be considered for admission. In addition, applicants who are accepted based solely on their work experience will be required to provide proof of English proficiency at the college level, and may be required to write the George Brown Polytechnic English admission assessment.
Please visit the English Proficiency page for more details.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit the Transfer Guide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown Polytechnic Online Application System.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:
- Manage multidisciplinary design groups using practical working models of management systems.
- Analyze evolving market needs to identify design strategies required for the development of new products and services.
- Plan, implement and control project plans that are flexible and reflect the evolutionary environment of the design process.
- Enhance leadership, management, and design expertise through the development of personal and professional development strategies and plans.
- Establish working relationships with clients, customers and designers that maintain and strengthen their loyalty to their organization, and recognize design discipline protocols.
- Develop and implement business strategies to recruit clients and new business opportunities.
- Design and deliver sales presentations persuasively and accurately in oral, written, graphic and digital form.
- Formulate and present comprehensive business plans for design projects.
- Develop design strategies based on perceived value, competitive pressures and corporate objectives.
- Evaluate results of design activities using criteria relating to application of best practices, costs and profits.
Contact Us
School of Design
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2137
Email: design@georgebrown.ca
Design Management program co-ordinator: Toni Allen Toni.Allen@georgebrown.ca
International Students
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Visit Our Campus
This program is part of our School of Design, located at our Waterfront Campus, at 3 Lower Jarvis St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
School of Design Building
The School of Design resides in a new 103,000-square-foot facility in the Daniels Waterfront – City of the Arts development. This state-of-the-art building supports academic programs and industry projects with features such as:
- virtual and augmented reality lab
- usability and testing lab
- Future Ways of Living lab
- peer tutor lab
- digital sandbox
- incubators
- prototyping and workshop spaces
- design and innovation showcase spaces
Come and have your questions answered, learn about the program content and career options, meet your friendly professors and staff and experience what it is like to be in a George Brown Polytechnic classroom at one of our information sessions. You can also book a campus tour.
Visit Waterfront Campus
Book campus tour
“My journey at the School of Design, George Brown Polytechnic was filled with creative decisions. The course provided me with many opportunity areas in Design Strategy, developing Creative Design Briefs, managing Multidisciplinary Design Teams and Collaboration… This course has helped me develop design management traits with versatility and resilience.
Design Management makes us believe in the value and power of collaboration and flexibility when we talk about creative disciplines. I now find my inspiration through dynamic team synergies. I believe in learning from and designing for experiences. It is all about Creative Commitment.
I am grateful to have been taught by such inspiring faculty members at the School of Design. I am also thankful for the Best Major Project Award for my research insights related to collaboration between industry and academia. Thank you for imparting me with the analytical business knowledge required to integrate strategic design into the workplace.”
Divleen Narula
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Visit Waterfront Campus
Our Virtual Tour showcases the following areas:
- Campus Facilities
- Student Services
- Applied Learning Environments
- Labs & Classrooms