Program Overview

Continuing Education Programs & Professional Development

Certificate in Graphic Design

The Certificate in Graphic Design provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant design world right in the heart of New York City. Our programs will equip you with the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience to succeed. The Certificate in Graphic Design prepares those who wish to pursue a career in Graphic Design and advances their professional portfolio. This certificate consists of 10 required courses that provide students with the theory and hands-on applications needed to succeed as a Graphic Designer.

Program Information

• Duration: The program consists of 10 courses; it takes a year to complete.
• Course Materials & Software: Students registered for this certificate must have access to the latest Creative Suite Premium. Using your proof of registration, you may subscribe for monthly student access to Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Tuition: $4,600 plus one-time $25 registration fee [Spring 2026]
• Payment Plan Down payment of $1,965 + 7 payments of $380.

Courses and Program Details

The following courses are part of the Certificate in Graphic Design program:

• Visual Design for Everyone (GDVIDEEV)
  • Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
  • This introductory course teaches the basics of visual communication and design. Become an effective designer through concept development, project planning and production, and development of critical skills. You will learn how to integrate the elements of visual design (format, line, shape, value and type) with the principles of visual design (proximity, contrast, balance, symmetry, alignment, repetition and unity). The course will also examine aesthetic and conceptual topics, like color theory, value, texture, pattern, icons, symbolism, perspective, overall look-and-feel, and the concept of “gestalt”—unified and consistent design.
• Adobe InDesign I (GDADOIN1)
  • Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
  • In this course, students will learn to set up documents, work with text and type styles, add color, work with tables, use transparency and other effects, and bring in graphics to their InDesign projects.
• Adobe InDesign II (ADOIN2)
  • Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
  • Take it to the next level by using advanced techniques to create Paragraph Styles, Character Styles, Object Styles and Table Styles. Topics include: creating lists, Nested Paragraph Styles, using Find/Change, creating a TOC and an Index. This course also covers the secrets of good Typography Kerning, Tracking, Justification, Special Characters and White Space.
• Adobe Photoshop I (GDADOPH1)
  • Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
  • This course is for both beginners and those with some background in Photoshop (with an emphasis on graphic design rather than programming). Prerequisite: Windows experience
• Adobe Photoshop II (ADOPH2)
  • Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
  • In Photoshop II, students will continue using layers in greater depth and use Adobe Bridge to organize, sort, and add Photoshop Metadata to files. We will cover the use of Camera RAW both in Photoshop and Adobe Bridge. Using Channels, Quick Mask, and some new Photoshop tools, students will learn advanced techniques, learn some not-so-widely-known new Photoshop features, and see how Photoshop integrates with InDesign and Illustrator.
• Adobe Illustrator I (GDADOILL)
  • Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
  • Adobe Illustrator is an essential tool for anyone who needs to express ideas visually in print, on the Web and via any other medium. With 3D features, advanced typographical controls, smooth Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) integration, enhanced printing options and faster performance, Illustrator helps you explore your creative vision and efficiently publish your artwork anywhere.
• Adobe Illustrator II (ADOIL2)
  • Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
  • In this course, we will explore the advanced features of Adobe Illustrator, such as Live Trace and Transparency Marks, for a greater knowledge of Illustrator. Students will utilize Illustrator’s built-in color wheel, learn how to use Adobe Labs and discover Kuler to import custom color groups and 3D graphics that are LIVE! A deeper look into Illustrator’s text capabilities, Custom Brushes, the creation of Press Ready PDF files and saving for the Web will also be covered.
• Producing Video for Digital Publications (GDVID)
  • Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
  • This class focuses on the basics of shooting, editing and publishing video to YouTube, Vimeo or as part of a Digital Publication using InDesign. Learn how to shoot video using phones or digital cameras. No professional equipment is needed. We will cover the basics of editing using Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects (which are part of Adobe CC). Inexpensive equipment for audio will be covered.
• Typography (GDTYPOGR)
  • Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
  • This course introduces students to the history of typography and its use. Learn how to utilize the basics of typography for enhancing projects, and improve skills in font selection, size of type, spacing, color, tracking, kerning, etc. Class projects include logo design, posters, ads, packaging and direct-mail. Prerequisites: Must have a good knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign.
• Graphic Design: Making a Professional Portfolio (GDMAPRPO)
  • Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
  • This course introduces students to the history of typography and its use. Learn how to utilize the basics of typography for enhancing projects, and improve skills in font selection, size of type, spacing, color, tracking, kerning, etc. Class projects include logo design, posters, ads, packaging and direct-mail. Prerequisites: Must have a good knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign.