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 interaction design. Students will achieve a broad range of introductory and intermediate-level communication design skills including typography, software, web design, branding and data visualization, and choose an additional area of concentration through a series of elective 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.

Program Goal
Learning Outcomes
Program Duration
Assignments + Assessment
Admissions
Career + Further Education

Courses + Costs

Course Format

Courses are offered either on campus or online.

Tuition Rates

Click on the course below to view information.

Program Completion

We strongly encourage students to complete courses in the recommended order given below to best support their learning experience to successfully meet outcomes. However, students can register in any course for which they meet the prerequisites. In the event of a conflict between the recommended course order and the prerequisites of our courses, please follow the prerequisites.

Course No.Core Required Courses
Term
(Subject to change)
CECD 100Introductory Communication DesignSpring
Summer
Fall
CECD 101
Drawing for DesignersSpring
Summer
Fall
CECD 102Colour Theory for DesignersSpring
Summer
Fall
CECD 103
Introductory TypographySpring
Summer
Fall
CSDS 101
Innovations in Design
(formerly CESE 103: New Topics in Contemporary Design)
Summer
CEDA 100
Introductory Web DesignSpring
Summer
Fall
CSSO 109*
Adobe CC Essentials
(formerly CECS 120: Adobe CC for Design + Production)
Summer

CSSO 100*

Introductory Adobe Photoshop
(formerly CECS 110: Introductory Adobe Photoshop)
Spring
Summer
CSSO 101*Introductory Adobe Illustrator
(formerly CECS 111: Introductory Adobe Illustrator)
Spring
Summer
CSSO 102*
Introductory Adobe InDesign
(formerly CECS 112: Introductory Adobe InDesign)
Summer
CEDA 200Intermediate Web DesignSpring
Summer
Fall
CECD 200Branding + Identity DesignSpring
Summer
Fall
CECD 201Visualizing InformationSpring
Summer
Fall
CECD 202Publication DesignSpring
Summer
Fall
CECD 203Intermediate TypographySpring
Summer
Fall
CEPD 201Professional Practices for DesignersSpring
Summer
Fall
Elective Courses
(minimum of 72 hours in one of the following streams)
Illustration Stream
(Choose 3 out of the 4 following courses)
CEIL 100
Introductory IllustrationSpring
Summer
Fall
CEIL 101Introductory Digital Illustration: PhotoshopSpring
Summer
Fall
CEIL 102Introductory Digital Illustration: IllustratorSpring
Summer
Fall
CEIL 203Commercial IllustrationSpring
Summer
Fall
Photography Stream
CEPH 100**
Introductory Digital PhotographySpring
Summer
Fall
CEPH 201Studio LightingSpring
Summer
Fall
CEPH 203Commercial PhotographySpring
Summer
Fall
UX/UI Design Stream
CEDA 150Introductory WordPressSpring
Summer
Fall
CEDA 700Introductory UI and UX DesignSpring
Summer
Fall
CEDA 710Introductory to Web AnalyticsSummer
CEDA 720Intermediate UI and UX DesignSummer

*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 digital photography may opt to pursue CEPH 200 Intermediate Digital Photography in lieu.