Advanced Digital Design and Development Diploma

Program Overview

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Advanced Digital Design and Development Diploma

Overview

The Advanced Digital Design and Development Diploma is a comprehensive program that offers advanced skills training in design and development. Students can specialize in either the design stream or the development stream, both of which will test their skills with hands-on projects that prove to employers that they can design and build beautiful print and digital projects from concept to launch.

Program Features

• Create brand identities and design systems for print and digital media
• Use industry tools to design, prototype and refine visual content
• Produce media projects that include photography, video and sound
• Explore motion graphics, screen printing and experimental media
• Build responsive websites, apps and digital tools using code
• Work with databases, APIs and mobile app frameworks
• Develop custom WordPress themes and plug-ins
• Apply software development best practices

Admission Requirements

• C+ in Math 10 or equivalent or successful Math assessment
• C in English 12 or equivalent or successful English assessment

Course Requirements

Design Stream - Year 1

• DGL - 101 Digital Culture
• DGL - 102 Graphic Design Foundations
• DGL - 103 HTML and CSS
• DGL - 105 Digital Graphics
• DGL - 111 User Experience and Interface Design
• DGL - 112 Typography
• DGL - 113 Introduction to JavaScript
• FIN - 247 Introduction to Digital Photography
• One of the following:
  • CPS - 100 Computer Programming I
  • CPS - 102 Computer Programming with C++
  • CPS - 114 Algorithms and Programming
• Plus one elective totaling 3 credits chosen from courses numbered 100 or higher that transfer to a BC degree granting institution.

Design Stream - Year 2

• DGL - 202 Graphic Design and Branding
• DGL - 203 Advanced CSS
• DGL - 209 Capstone Project
• DGL - 211 Project Management for Digital Product Development
• DGL - 221 Introduction to Social Media
• One of the following:
  • ENG - 104 Foundations of Academic Writing
  • ENG - 107 Introduction to Creative Writing: Fiction & Non-Fiction
  • ENG - 108 Introduction to Creative Writing: Poetry & Drama
  • ENG - 115 Essay Writing and Critical Analysis
  • ENG - 116 Essay Writing & Indigenous Perspectives
  • ENG - 122 Reading Literature
  • ENG - 127 Indigenous Literatures in Canada
  • ENG - 160 Effective Organizational Writing
  • ENG - 170 Writing Digital Content
• Plus three electives totaling 9 credits chosen from courses numbered 100 or higher that transfer to a BC degree granting institution. At least one elective must be at the 200 level or higher.

Design Stream - Year 3

• DGL - 123 Introduction to PHP
• DGL - 223 WordPress Development
• DGL - 233 Advanced WordPress Development
• DGL - 309 Advanced Capstone Project 1
• FIN - 200 Video + Sound 1
• One of the following:
  • FIN - 201 Video + Sound 2
  • FIN - 217 Screen Printing
• Plus one English, Humanities, or Social Science course totaling 3 credits chosen from courses numbered 100 or higher that transfer to a BC degree granting institution.
• Plus two electives totaling 6 credits chosen from courses numbered 200 or higher that transfer to a BC degree granting institution.

Development Stream - Year 1

• DGL - 101 Digital Culture
• DGL - 103 HTML and CSS
• DGL - 104 Application Development Foundations
• DGL - 105 Digital Graphics
• DGL - 111 User Experience and Interface Design
• DGL - 113 Introduction to JavaScript
• DGL - 114 Introduction to Mobile App Development
• One of the following:
  • CPS - 100 Computer Programming I
  • CPS - 102 Computer Programming with C++
  • CPS - 114 Algorithms and Programming
• Plus one elective totaling 3 credits chosen from courses numbered 100 or higher that transfer to a BC degree granting institution.

Development Stream - Year 2

• DGL - 112 Typography
• DGL - 123 Introduction to PHP
• DGL - 203 Advanced CSS
• DGL - 209 Capstone Project
• DGL - 211 Project Management for Digital Product Development
• DGL - 223 WordPress Development
• DGL - 233 Advanced WordPress Development
• CPS - 146 Database Fundamentals
• Plus two electives totaling 6 credits chosen from courses numbered 100 or higher that transfer to a BC degree granting institution.

Development Stream - Year 3

• DGL - 204 Programming for Mobile App Development
• DGL - 213 Applied Javascript
• DGL - 214 Advanced Mobile App Development
• DGL - 221 Introduction to Social Media
• DGL - 309 Advanced Capstone Project 1
• One of the following:
  • BUS - 105 Principles of Business
  • BUS - 162 Principles of Marketing
• Plus one English, Humanities, or Social Science course totaling 3 credits chosen from courses numbered 100 or higher that transfer to a BC degree granting institution.
• Plus two electives totaling 6 credits chosen from courses numbered 200 or higher that transfer to a BC degree granting institution.

Completion Requirements

• A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required.
• Must be completed within 8 years.
• A minimum of 50% of the program must be completed at North Island College.

Supplies

• iMac and Mac mini workstations with all the software needed
• Scanner and printer
• Optional: ergonomic mouse or drawing tablet, laptop for work on and off-campus

Minimum Specs Recommended

Windows

• Processor: x86_64 CPU architecture; 2nd generation Intel Core or newer, or AMD CPU with support for a Windows Hypervisor
• Operating system: 64-bit Microsoft Windows 10
• RAM: 16 GB or more
• Graphics card: Minimum Direct 3D DDI Feature Set: 10. For Intel GPU, drivers released in 2014 or later are necessary.
• Hard disk space: 8 GB

MacOS

• Processor: ARM-based chips, or 2nd generation Intel Core or newer with support for Hypervisor Framework
• Operating system: MacOS 10.15 (Catalina) or higher
• RAM: 16 GB or more
• Graphics card: GPU with Metal support; 2 GB+ of GPU memory
• Hard disk space: 8 GB

Careers

• Software engineers and designers
• Computer systems developers and programmers
• Web designers

Estimated Earnings

• Software developers and programmers: $96,125*
• Web designers: $63,173*
• Graphic designers and illustrators: $65,175*

Costs

Domestic

• Tuition: $10,570
• Lab: $555
• Student Union: $615
• Learner Resource: $525
• Health and Dental: $855
• Total: $13,120

International

• Tuition: $44,715
• Lab: $555
• Student Union: $615
• Learner Resource: $525
• Health and Dental: $855
• Student Services Fee: $2,760
• Total: $50,025

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior coding or design experience to enroll?

No prior experience is required. The program is beginner-friendly, but having basic computer skills will be helpful.

I see there are different design and development learning options, including certificates or diplomas. What's the difference?

Yes, there are different options depending on how in-depth you want to go. Certificates usually take about a year and focus on the core skills you need to get started in design and development. Diplomas are longer — typically two years — and build on those basics, giving you more time to specialize and explore advanced topics.

Is there any point in studying web and app development, graphic design, or digital marketing when AI is becoming so advanced? Won't AI make these jobs obsolete?

AI is changing the digital world, but it isn’t replacing human creativity — it’s a tool that works best when guided by skilled people. Studying web and app development, graphic design or digital marketing is still valuable, especially when you learn how to work with AI, not against it.

Can I register for individual courses without enrolling in the full program?

Yes – students enrolled in general University Studies can take courses in this program, but seats are prioritized for full-time Digital Design and Development students. Earned credits will count toward the program if you decide to join, but prerequisites and co-requisites still apply.

Can I keep studying after completing the certificate, or apply for the diploma later on?

Yes, you can definitely keep studying after finishing the certificate. Many students continue into the diploma program — some apply right away, while others decide to upgrade later. It’s usually easier to apply for the diploma from the start to avoid doing a second application, but if you’ve already completed the certificate, you can still apply and plan your next steps with an educational advisor.