Computer Graphic Design Diploma

Program Overview

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Computer Graphic Design

Overview

Industry | Design
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Program Length | 10 months, includes 6-week internship
Learning Format | Online
Language | English

Program Description

Hands-on training in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Learn basic coding, website design, and creative solutions for print and digital. Graduate in just 10 months with a professional portfolio and real work experience.

What is Your Role as a Graphic Designer?

Graphic designers work with digital and print, designing everything from album covers and business logos to websites and television shows.

Typical responsibilities for this role include:

• Consulting with clients to determine design goals and concepts
• Preparing initial sketches and layouts for client approval
• Producing final illustrations and graphics using CAD software
• Generating 2D and 3D animated drawings/computer illustrations
• Helping to create storyboards for multimedia and digital productions, television, and advertising
• Designing print materials, such as product packaging, books, business cards, and stationery
• Creating logos and other branding elements
• Estimating costs for design projects
• Creating website designs, including wireframes, layouts, and mockups
• Editing designs based on client feedback
• Overseeing the entire design process, from initial concept to final production

Herzing College Graphic Design Certificate Program

Herzing’s Graphic Design certificate program teaches today’s most important design software. Students hone their skills by creating a wide range of digital and print designs. This is a hands-on, project-based program.

• 10-month accelerated program
• 6-week internship
• Hands-on training in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver
• Learn CSS3 and HTML5 to create your own web pages and animations
• Learn the principles of graphic design, layout, typography, and colour theory
• Practise creating and producing print designs
• Understand how to plan and design websites
• Multiple program start dates throughout the year
• Financial assistance is available for students who qualify

Career Outlook

Graduates of this program can find employment opportunities with:

• Film and television companies
• Marketing and advertising firms
• Graphic design firms
• Municipalities (for example, creating signage, posters, and digital media for transit companies)
• Publishing and media companies
• Private businesses (for branding, packaging, website design, etc.)

Career Options & Job Opportunities for Graphic Designers

Graphic designers enjoy many career options and opportunities for specialization. Herzing graduates are qualified to pursue careers in print, illustration, web design, UI/UX design, mobile app design, game design, video content marketing, content creation, film, animation, and more.

Graphic design jobs include positions like:

• Art Director
• Web Designer
• Graphic Designer
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Brand Designer
• Interactive Designer

Who Hires Herzing Graduates?

Graduates of our Graphic Design certificate program have been hired by many companies, including:

• Cineflix Productions
• Eye Weekly
• Gladstone Media
• Lampo Communications

Study Topics

Herzing Graphic Design courses prepare students to create functional, beautiful designs for both print and digital. This program provides an excellent foundation in Adobe design software, technical design techniques, and creative expression.

Photoshop Image Design and Editing

This course provides the opportunity to develop extensive knowledge and skills in graphic editing using Photoshop. Photoshop topics include working with file size and format. Using both print and web-oriented file formats students learn how to edit and develop continuous tone images for the output to press and raster images for websites. Non-destructive image editing and masking techniques are stressed. Projects include a self-portrait, social issue project (working for another student to simulate a client/designer relationship), variety of magazine covers and photo restoration. Students will also learn how to use Adobe Bridge to organize their image collections.

Vector Graphics (Illustrator)

This course, based on Adobe Illustrator, provides the opportunity to develop knowledge and skill in the production and manipulation of vector graphics. Topics include drawing, stroke and fill, shape tools, freeform drawing, manipulating objects, appearance, drawing aids, importation, and conversion of bitmaps to vectors.

The course also allows us to explore the creative possibilities of vector graphics and integration with other design programs. Projects include a logo, map or floor plan, mesh tool illustration and signs of nonverbal communication

Website Design

This course will develop the students’ knowledge and skill in planning, creating, and maintaining websites. Students will use Dreamweaver, combining text, images, video, and audio into both simple and complex web sites. Students will build on their knowledge of HTML5, and CSS3, beginning with fixed-width web sites, moving on to grid systems, and finally creating fully responsive sites that are optimized for mobile, tablet and desktop viewing. Topics include web ‘best practices’, HTML validation, media queries, graceful degradation, CSS3, web fonts, SVGs, and moving local sites to remote servers.

Animation for the Web

This course provides the opportunity to develop knowledge and skill in planning and creating bitmap and vector graphic animations specifically for delivery on a website. Topics include CSS transforms, transitions, and animations, creating elements, animation methods, adding sound, exporting animations from Flash, adding simple interactivity with JavaScript, and incorporating animations in web pages.

Digital Typography

This course provides the opportunity to develop knowledge and skill in the art of typography. Topics include the evolution of typography, type basics, and categories of type, elements of type, controlling type within documents, designing with type, type and the Internet, and the mechanics of type. Projects include a promotional brochure, a poster, 2 invitations and an admission ticket.

Graphic Design and Layout

This course will develop the students’ knowledge and skill in graphic design. Topics include the history of graphic design, fundamental elements, and principles of design, color theory, grids, and layout for print. Students will use Adobe InDesign to create several projects to explore and practice these techniques.

Graphic Design and Layout II

This course will develop the students’ knowledge and skills with the tools required to participate productively in the development of computer graphic designs. Topics include basic project management and project planning concepts, identifying project tasks, creating project schedules, assigning resources and tracking progress, communicating project information, obtaining and working with clients. Students will create numerous projects using software and techniques learned in previous classes to help build their portfolios.

Design Production or Technical Production

This course covers the information students need to prepare designs for print. Students will be able to properly set up files, understand print terminology, work effectively with printers, and familiarize themselves with the print production process as well as the technology involved. Traditional print production techniques are employed in the preparation of camera-ready art. Knowledge of production of single and multicolor mechanicals and various printing processes are required for computer graphic designers working with the print media industry.

Career Development and Client Services

This course provides knowledge and skills to develop a career plan by exploring and evaluating career options. Students will define the stages of career development, and learn how to stand out at work, market personal skills, develop an effective career network, and communicate effectively. Students will prepare a resume and cover letter during this course. They will also be encouraged to develop a job search portfolio.

Internship

The internship component of the program is the practical application of a student’s knowledge and skills in an industry environment. The industry shall be directly related to the student’s program of study. The internship may require full-time day attendance working in the industry setting. The duration of the internship is six weeks, during which the student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 120 hours of work experience.

Instructors

Miguel Suarez

Instructor, Computer Graphic Design

In 2008, he discovered Herzing’s Graphic Design program through a family connection. During training, the instructor noticed Miguel’s talent, and after graduation hired him as a teaching assistant.

Fast-forward 10 years, and Miguel has taken over the program as instructor. Coming full circle from student to teacher, he now helps other talented designers hone their craft and launch successful careers.

Admission Requirements

• Minimum of a Canadian high school grade 12 or equivalent, or a mature student
• Pass an entrance test administered by Herzing College
• Be interviewed in detail regarding interest in the field
• Note: admission to some programs may include additional requirements

Why Choose This Program?

Herzing’s Graphic Design certificate program is fast and effective. Our students learn the graphic design software employers want and get real work experience to launch their careers.

Here is why Herzing should be your first choice for graphic design training.

• Graduate and start working in just 10 months
• Learn from caring instructors with years of professional graphic design experience
• Small classes where every student gets step-by-step support
• 6-week internship to build your confidence and get experience for your resume
• Get access to the Herzing Open Education Program (HOEP), which lets you take additional courses after you graduate, tuition-free!
• Exceptional career development team that can help you create your resume, prepare for interviews, and apply for graphic design jobs

Related Design Programs

• 3D Animation
• 3D Printing
• Building Design Technician
• Computer-Aided Design and Drafting
• Interior Decoration and Visual Display
• Industrial Drafting
• Interior Design
• Sustainable Architecture