Media Techniques and Marketing Communications

Effective graphic design is essential to daily life as it informs, instructs, warns, and entertains us. You will discover that design is a complex process involving research and analysis, concept development, critical evaluation, refinement, and execution. You will focus on brainstorming and the creative process stage of design process and its relationship to visual problem solving. Hone your critical thinking strategies for effective graphic design by practicing what you learn in relation to print- and web-based communications. Execute simple, thumbnail sketches to create and record concepts—a skill paramount for advancing into creating digital content.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This is a hands-on course where students will learn and apply Adobe Illustrator's tools and functions in order tocreate complex vector graphics that can be used in a variety of media, large or small. Students will produce and edit sophisticated scalable vector graphics for both print and online use, including icons and logos, illustrations, creative typographic treatments and more. Exercises and projects will aid you in acquiring familiarity of an indispensable application in the graphic design environment.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​Photoshop mastery is essential to managing and producing a highly professional product. Students will create stunning images and composites for visual communication projects by exploring the Photoshop interface and an array of photo-editing techniques. The course focuses on fine image editing, retouching and in developing high quality online and print image compositions. Students will learn how to create complex graphics that can be built in multiple layers for organization and independent manipulation.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

In this course students convert documents to PDF format, to bridge the gap between paper and digital workflow. This includes converting small volumes of paper documents to searchable Adobe PDF files and to e-mail graphics files that were previously too large, and modifying PDF's to include advance functions such as high level security, video/audio files and electronic forms. Students also prepare files for professional print, through to posting PDF files on the web for online distribution.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

In this hands-on course, you will create and design content with Adobe InDesign using creative and typographic tools. You will create your document for single and multiple pages using tools, drop-down menus, and panels, set up columns, use select and direct selection tools, create layers, create colours from different libraries, create paragraph and character styles, create picture frames, apply text wraps around pictures, and check links. You will create a series of projects using all of the above tools and techniques.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

In this course, students will study camera tools and apply photographic techniques to their pictures. Topics explored include; aperture settings, ISO settings, shutter speeds, on and off camera flash, depth of field, lens choice and compositional concepts. Through lectures and lab time, students will also study lighting for portraiture, low light photography, how and when to use a tripod, and common camera settings including: histograms, self-timers, as well as camera sensor cleaning, and camera care.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Visual composition and layout focuses on the process of creating ideas and learning how to effectively place elements in a design to produce balanced, creative, design solutions. You will develop design ideas through applying the principles of composition and layout (the organization of visual elements). This course emphasizes the development and application of skills through research, analysis, hands-on projects, and exercises. In-class presentations will introduce creative and psychology principles and their application in the design process. Conceptual skills will be developed through projects and exercises, which will be done both in-class and as homework. You will analyze and evaluate design work through group critiques and individual written and verbal deconstruction of designs. Instructor feedback will be given during group and/or individual critiques.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in MDIA 1049

In this course you will explore the various aspects of colour and identify many ways of integrating colour for effective communication in design layouts. You will see the significance of colour application through numerous research and design samples. This will enable you to apply your understanding of various colour modes, colour functions, colour attributes, colour psychology, and colour physiology in your own work. The classes will also let you analyze how others solve visual colour challenges in an effective manner so you can be inspired to be creative in generating designs that have a unique and outstanding use of colour.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course takes a practical approach to real world colour management implementation for common devices including iPhones, iPads, laptops, desktop monitors, and inkjet printers. You will use X-rite Display Pro’s and X-rite Color Munki devices to profile both displays and printers. You will explore the basics of colour theory, how to apply ICC Profiles to achieve colour accurate results in your workflows, and simulate a proofing or printing process on screen and on a local inkjet printer. You will use standard software, such as Photoshop, Acrobat, and InDesign on Windows or Macintosh.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in MDIA 1170 or 50% in MDIA 1180

Digital Darkroom explores the fundamentals of working with digital images acquired from capture, with a focus on the image optimization process within Adobe Photoshop CC. This course will demonstrate how to produce a high quality image that can be reproduced for multiple purposes. Topics include colour theory as it relates to digital images, processing camera RAW files, non-destructive workflow within Photoshop CC, making selections, and working with layer masks. Course delivery is a lecture/lab format with in-class exercises providing hands-on experience.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in MDIA 1180

This hands-on course expands on the skills and knowledge that you gained in Adobe InDesign 1 by using different tools, drop-down menus, and panels to create a more complex series of projects. You will create multiple master pages with different columns and grids, create a digital imposition, add video with sound controls, precisely position pictures, text, and graphics, and transform digital graphics. As well, you will use step and repeat to create a background pattern, span text columns, and smart link InDesign with Photoshop. You will use a pen tool to create advanced computer graphics with compound paths.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in MDIA 1049

In today’s changing creative environment designers must do more than simply ‘design things’. Graphic designers apply principles of visual communication to express their client's message, but must also work within the context of a business strategy and goals to be fully successful. This course examines how design supports and reinforces the business goals of a client through application of critical components of the design process: research, analysis, concept development and evaluation. You will also explore standard business practices and working effectively with clients. Principles, concepts, and techniques will be applied through the comprehensive development of a large and major campaign project. You will also analyze and evaluate work through discussion, critiques, and verbal and written presentations.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in MDIA 1040 and 50% in MDIA 1105 and 50% in MDIA 1160 and 50% in MDIA 1180

This course is an introduction to hands-on digital photography and the image optimization processes. The course is designed to provide an emphasis on effective composition, core principles of photography and meaningful photographic contents for web, print and mobile applications. Students will learn how to plan and shoot photos; use DSLR or their own cameras; and explore techniques on lighting, optics, and image management/storage. Other topics include, HDR images, panoramic photos and processing camera RAW files. Students will be assessed by a combination of group and individual projects and a final exam.
Prerequisite(s):

• MDIA 1099

This class focusses on creating a digital portfolio to showcase your work. Your designs should highlight your creative abilities, concepts and ideas that you have developed, and your personality. You will design and create a series of tightly-defined webpage layouts, phone app mockups, landing pages, icons, info-graphics, and digital print layouts for presentation to prospective employers. The instructor will provide input and guidance for the portfolio content as well as the proper methodologies and techniques on how to achieve effective results. Your portfolio is your gateway to reaching out to potential employers. This course is required to be the last course in the Graphic Design Associate Certificate.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in MDIA 1040 and 50% in MDIA 1105 and 50% in MDIA 1140 and 50% in MDIA 2012 and 50% in MDIA 2049 and 50% in MDIA 2180

Marketing 1102 is an introduction to the fundamentals of marketing. In addition to the "four Ps" of marketing—product, price, place, and promotion—students will be introduced to how marketers create customer-driven marketing strategies based on their research and understanding of the marketing environment and customers. Students will plan a strategy for and compete in an online marketing simulation. After the simulation, students will evaluate their performance and deliver a marketing plan for their simulation company, which will be assessed on students' application of marketing terminology and processes and in the professionalism of their work. Additionally, students will complete assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

The focus of this course will be to provide the student with e-Marketing techniques and strategies that can help any forward-thinking organization be competitive in today's business environment. Key areas that promise to leverage the power of Internet are: customer relationship management (CRM); 1:1 marketing; permission-based e-mail marketing; viral marketing; attributes of a good Website and Website marketing goals; Website promotion/search engine positioning/ranking, and key Internet technologies/terminologies/acronyms.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course builds on essential marketing concepts by focusing on the promotional element of the marketing mix. You will examine marketing communications strategy, and effective use of advertising, public relations, direct marketing, sales promotion and the media. To be successful in this course, you must be able to communicate well verbally and in writing, in English.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in MKTG 1102

In this course, you will look out how planning a strategy for design work helps build a strong and effective ad. You will learn the stages of design production, copywriting and how to design for print, out of home and interactive ads. While using Adobe InDesign, an industry-standard software, you will develop your own marketing materials and start building a portfolio. The course is ideal for aspiring graphic designers and 'ad creatives' as well as marketers who want to better manage their creative resources.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​This course will provide insight into the strategies behind successful brands. The focus will be on analyzing company, industry, consumer and competitive information to provide a sound foundation for developing a brand strategy. Additionally, students will learn the components of branding and how to use brand development tools. Students will learn how to position and brand products and services in order to prevent them from being turned into commodities and understand that all marketing campaigns serve the larger mission of developing a brand.​
Prerequisite(s):

• (50% in MKTG 1352 and 50% in MKTG 1102) or 50% in MKTG 2203