Graphic Design instructor, Miguel Suarez at his home office in Toronto
Miguel Suarez began teaching Herzing's graphic design program in 2017. But his passion for art and design began much earlier, when he was a teenager growing up in the Philippines.
Updated December 2023
Architects design structures for residential, commercial, and industrial use. Architectural drafters create the construction drawings needed to bring those new buildings to life.
But sometimes drafters also consult with clients and develop design concepts. And sometimes architects do their own construction drawings.
So what is the big difference between an architect and an architectural drafter (also known as a CAD technician)?
Photo: Computer-aided Design and Drafting instructor, Roberto Romano
Updated January, 2021
When Roberto Romano enrolled in CAD training at Herzing College, he had no experience in the field whatsoever. He learned the software, project management, and drafting skills from scratch.
After graduation, he got hired as an architectural draftsperson and worked in the field for several years. Then, he noticed an opening back at Herzing for a CAD instructor.
Roberto joined the faculty and has been teaching the program ever since.
This week, we interviewed Roberto about how the Computer-aided Design and Drafting program works.
We asked which skills students learn in class, what projects they do, career options, and what it takes to be successful in today's CAD industry.
Considering becoming a designer/drafter? Take a tour of the program with Roberto Romano: former graduate, expert instructor, and dedicated student mentor.
We’ve been offering an interior design program at Herzing for several years now. When we put together the curriculum, we looked very closely at hiring trends and the specific skills employers are looking for in new designers.
What kinds of companies are hiring interior designers? What creative and technical skills are most in demand right now? Who is hiring our graduates?
Herzing instructor, Sam Graceffa has over 20 years of experience in sustainable architecture and building design
Sustainable architecture is a very fast-growing field throughout Canada and across the globe.
This industry is all about designing structures with minimal environmental impact. Sustainable building designers use cutting-edge technologies and products to conserve energy, lower costs, and protect natural resources.
Top animation studio, Big Jump Entertainment, has partnered with Herzing College to train and recruit talented 2D animation students.
A lot of people dream of a career in 2D animation, working on major TV shows and movies at a top animation studio. But they figure the industry is too hard to break into. There’s too much competition for great studio jobs and they’ll never get hired after investing in training.
They feel pressured to choose another, less “risky” career path and give up on becoming an animator. Sound familiar?
We recently started a 2D Animation program at Herzing because the exact opposite is true. There is actually a major shortage of skilled 2D animators in Ottawa.
Updated December 2023
Graphic design is probably one of the most misunderstood fields out there. Every year, we meet with students who are interested in applying to this program—but only a few truly understand what a graphic designer does or what it's really like to work in this field.
For one thing, there are a lot more job options than most people realize. And the skillset for graphic designers is quite a bit more complex and technical than you might think.
The interior design students we work with at Herzing are an incredibly diverse group, coming from different backgrounds and all ages. Some are recent high school graduates, others are working parents, and quite a few are international students.
Updated December 2023
This is a very good time to become a building design technician in Ontario.
Investment in commercial and residential building projects is driving demand for design technicians in the province, and employment is expected to remain stable.
But this is a competitive field. There are plenty of colleges producing architectural designers each year and only so many design firms and construction companies available to hire them.
How do you position yourself as a competitive job candidate and get your career off to a strong start?
Updated December 2023
Do you need a university degree to be taken seriously as a graphic designer? Can you avoid school altogether and just teach yourself the basics?
What about free graphic design courses you can find online—isn’t that the best option for an up-and-comer who doesn’t want college debt?
Graphic design is one of those fields where there are no clear rules on how to start a career. Some professions—like doctor or lawyer or licensed teacher—have very clear pathways for training. You must go to university. You must get certified. It’s not negotiable.
Becoming a graphic designer is a little different. There’s endless debate between self-taught and schooled designers, and whether formal training is really “worth it”.
But the truth is, with the growing complexity of design software and digital technology, many designers need formal training to stay ahead of the curve.
