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.

Required Courses in this Certificate

Core Courses

CSCD 100Introductory Communication Design
(formerly CECD 100: Introductory Communication Design)
CECD 101
Drawing for Designers
CSCD 102Colour 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 201Intermediate Web Design
CSCD 200Branding + Identity Design
(formerly CECD 200: Branding + Identity Design)
CSCD 201Visualizing Information
(formerly CECD 201: Visualizing Information)
CECD 202Publication Design
CSCD 203
Intermediate Typography
(formerly CECD 203: Intermediate Typography)

CSDS 102
Industry Intro: Design

Focused Streams | Choose one of the following streams:


Illustration Stream

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


Photography Stream

CSPH 100**Introductory Digital Photography
CEPH 201Studio Lighting
CEPH 203Commercial 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 100Introductory WordPress
CSUX 100Introductory UX Design
CSUX 101Introductory UI Design

How do I get started?