Visual Communication Design Certificate

Learn compelling skills for the diverse and comprehensive field of Visual Communication Design, with concentrations in digital illustration, digital photography or user experience design!

The Visual Communications Certificate will equip students with a broad range of introductory and intermediate-level skills including typography, graphic design, web design, branding and data visualization. Integrated professional practice standards will prepare students for a career in conveying ideas to a client or audience.

Gain proficiency in various industry-standard software and then choose an additional area of concentration through a series of elective focus courses. Embark on a new career path, create a web-based portfolio of work and learn to promote yourself for a dynamic personal or professional practice.

Renewed Courses in the Visual Communications Certificate- effective SUMMER 2025.

The Visual Communication Design Certificate below includes a renewed set of communication design courses, effective Summer 2025 term. These new courses have been refreshed with up-to-date course content, taking into account the ever changing landscape of the marketing and design industry.

We recognize that some students have already put time and effort into the previous CECD courses, and those will still count toward completing your certificate. If you began the Visual Communications Certificate before Summer 2025, an equivalencies document is available to help you determine which courses have been replaced and their new equivalents.

Please contact us or book an advising appointment if you have any questions about the updated visual communication design courses!

Required Courses in this Certificate

Core Courses

CSCD 100	Introductory Communication Design (formerly CECD 100: Introductory Communication Design)
CSCD 101	Design Process + Ideation (formerly CECD 101: Drawing for Designers)
CSCD 102	Colour Theory + Psychology in Design (formerly CECD 102: Colour Theory for Designers)
CSCD 103	Introductory Typography (formerly CECD 103: Introductory Typography)
CSDS 101	Innovations in Design
CSWD 101	Introductory Web Design

Students must choose either:

CSSO 109**

Adobe CC Essentials

or all three of...

CSSO 100*	Introductory Adobe Photoshop
CSSO 101*	Introductory Adobe Illustrator
CSSO 102*	Introductory Adobe InDesign

* students can take either CSSO 109 (45 hours), or each of CSSO 100, CSSO 101 and CSSO 102 (15 hour courses).
** students with a strong background in Adobe may opt to pursue CSCD 110: Adobe CC for Communication Design in lieu.

CSWD 201	Intermediate Web Design
CSCD 200	Branding + Identity Design (formerly CECD 200: Branding + Identity Design)
CSCD 201	Visualizing Information (formerly CECD 201: Visualizing Information)
CSCD 203	Intermediate Typography (formerly CECD 203: Intermediate Typography)
CSCD 204	Editorial Design (formerly CECD 202: Publication Design)
CSDS 102	Industry Intro: Design

Focused Streams | Choose one of the following streams:

Illustration Stream

CSIL 100	Introductory Illustration
CSIL 110	Digital Tools for Illustrators
CSIL 111	Illustrating for Client-based Work

Photography Stream

CSPH 100**	Introductory Digital Photography
CSPH 201	Studio Lighting
CSPH 203	Commercial Photography

**students with a strong background in digital photography may opt to pursue CSPH 200 Intermediate Digital Photography in lieu.

UX/UI Design Stream

CSWD 100	Introductory WordPress
CSUX 100	Introductory UX Design
CSUX 101	Introductory UI Design

How do I get started?

Courses can be taken individually or as part of a certificate, but do take note of the prior learning recommendations for each specific course! Students are to take the recommended prerequisite courses or self-assess their preexisting knowledge before registering in a course.

For those pursuing a certificate pathway, there is no need for an application. Register for each required course at your own pace. View our term schedule and register online today!

The flexible certificate pathway is open to all students over the age of 18 and/or have completed Grade 12 or equivalent education. There are no academic prerequisites required to begin the journey.

Once you have completed all the required courses successfully, you can request your certificate from the Continuing Studies department here.

What does self-paced learning mean?

Our certificate pathways are designed to be flexible! There are no requirements to complete certificates within a specific timeline.

You can complete each certificate at your own pace and the number of courses you take per term is entirely dependent on your own individual schedule and workload. Register by course based on the course offerings of each term. See our term schedule here.

Courses are scheduled during the evenings and weekends to allow for part-time study.

In what order should I register for courses?

To optimize the your certificate pathway experience and achieve successful learning outcomes, it is recommended that beginners follow the suggested course order listed above for a cohesive learning journey.

For those with prior knowledge, please take note of the recommended prerequisites for each specific course. Students are to self-assess their preexisting knowledge before registering in a course.

In the event of a conflict between the recommended course order and prerequisites, please prioritize meeting the recommended prerequisite skills for smooth progression.

What is the general course load and how will I be assessed?

Student assessment is based on each course's learning outcomes. Instructors will evaluate your learning using assignments, exercises, activities and participation. A general rule of thumb is to expect about one hour of homework for every hour spent in class.

All Continuing Studies individual courses are graded using a Pass (P) / Fail (F) system. To successfully complete the certificate pathway, you must receive a passing (P) grade in every required and elective course.

Career + Further Education

Success in the creative field requires dedication, continuous learning, and the cultivation of a strong portfolio. Take the time to develop a solid foundation of skills and actively develop your expertise, adapt to industry trends, and showcase your unique talents to stand out! Take ownership over your professional growth and design your your certificate based on your personal goals.

Completing the Visual Communication Certificate will provide you with essential skills in conveying information, ideas, and narratives through visual mediums. This versatile certification can lead to various career opportunities. Related fields include:

A visual communication designer possesses a range of technical and design skills, and they also have a deep understanding of how visuals can influence and communicate with audiences. This combination is valuable in many sectors across diverse industries and mediums.