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Herzing College › Programs ›

Program Overview

  • CAREERS
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  • OVERVIEW

Graphic Design Certificate Program

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.

*This program is currently available online*

What is Graphic Design?

Graphic design is the art of creating visual content that communicates a message and inspires a response. Graphic design can be creative and ground-breaking—or strictly practical and functional. It all depends on what the client needs.

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

A quality Graphic Design certificate program will prepare you to perform the following professional responsibilities:

  • Consult with clients to determine design goals and concepts
  • Prepare initial sketches and layouts for client approval
  • Produce final illustrations and graphics using CAD software
  • Generate 2D and 3D animated drawings/computer illustrations
  • Help to create storyboards for multimedia and digital productions, television, and advertising
  • Design print materials, such as product packaging, books, business cards, and stationary
  • Create logos and other branding elements
  • Estimate costs for design projects
  • Create website designs, including wireframes, layouts, and mockups
  • Edit designs based on client feedback
  • Oversee the entire design process, from initial concept to final production

Herzing Toronto 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.

By the end of the training, you will have a professional graphic design portfolio, plus real work experience through a 6-week internship.

  • 10-month accelerated Graphic Design certificate program (20 hours/week)
  • 6-week graphic design 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
  • Practice 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

“I researched 6 different colleges that offered Graphic Design training, but Herzing was the only school that met all my requirements. The course is affordable and offers current software training in the Adobe Suite of applications. I had a great internship and graduated with an amazing skillset.  I would highly recommend Herzing’s Graphic Design program.”  (Katherine Gray, Graphic Design graduate)

See student work and class photos on Instagram under #herzingdesign

Career Outlook

Toronto is the ideal place to start a career in graphic design. The GTA is home to hundreds of design firms, marketing and advertising agencies, and many other organizations who hire graphic designers.

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 the city or the TTC)
  • 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 in the GTA, 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. From websites to business cards (and everything in between), this program provides an excellent foundation in Adobe design software and technical skills.

Click to see a detailed description of Graphic Design courses

Photoshop Image Design and Editing

This course provides the opportunity to develop knowledge and skill in graphics using Photoshop. Photoshop topics include working with file size and format; using Web-safe color palettes and managing color; image masking and image compression; Graphics Interface File (GIF) and Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) file formats; using tools to alter photographs; and applying filters and effects. 4 Weeks.

Vector Graphics (Illustrator)

This course 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. 4 weeks.

Website Design

This course provides the opportunity to develop knowledge and skill in planning and developing well designed and effective client-side Web pages that meet an organization’s business objectives and address appropriate audience requirements.  Adobe Dreamweaver software will be the main tools used for teaching.  Topics include basic design strategies; planning and designing web pages; progressive enhancement, responsive web design (RWD), maintenance, assessment, and continuous improvement procedures and an overview of client-side web site types.  Projects developed during this portion will also be added to the student’s online portfolio. Students will use HTML5 and CSS to create both simple and complex web pages. 7 weeks.

Animation for the Web

In this course, students will learn how to create simple and complex animations for the web. Students will use CSS3 and HTML5 to create dynamic elements, menus, and complex vector animations. Topics include animated banner advertisements, using sound files, storyboarding, and interactivity with JavaScript. 4 weeks.

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.  This is a great opportunity to review layout programs. 4 weeks.

Graphic Design and Layout

This course provides the opportunity to develop knowledge and skill in the graphic design and layout principles.  Topics include choosing the right shape to work on, correct line proportion, colour theory, selecting typefaces for headings and text. Projects will include designing stationery, business cards, colour brochures, advertising inserts for direct mail and point of sale packages. 4 weeks.

Graphic Design and Layout II (InDesign)

Type, illustration and photography are combined in this subject to solve design communication problems. The student draws on all the tools available to assist in solving the industry-based problems presented. 4 weeks.

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. 2 weeks.

Career Development

This course helps students establish the critical career links between their education and the social media industry. Students will be tasked with researching potential future employers. Topics include career planning research, job searching, graphical resumes and company profiling, and refining interview and communication skills. Students will post their social media resume online and participate in mock interviews. Students will also learn essential employment skills using the concepts of PRICE and The Pacific Institute training. 1 week.

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 recommends 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.

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.

Learn more about Miguel and the program in our blog post 

Admission Requirements

What you need to get started.

  • 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
Get Started Today

Overview

SAMPLE SALARY RANGE:

$35,520 to $53,760

Source: jobbank.gc.ca
(Graphic Designer)

CAMPUS

Toronto

INDUSTRY

Design

PROGRAM LENGTH

10 Months (20 hours/week)
Includes 6 week internship

LEARNING MODALITIES

On Campus

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See Admission Requirements

2019 Program Employment Rate

60% of available Herzing College Toronto program graduates were employed in a related field.

2019 Overall Design Student Employment Rate

70% of available Herzing College Toronto design graduates were employed in a related field.

2019 Overall Graduate Employment Rate

84% of available Herzing College Toronto graduates were employed in a related field.

*statistics based on most recent available  

Your Next Steps

Ready to learn more about the Graphic Design certificate program? It’s easy to get started. Choose from the following options:

  • Fill out the form to ask questions via email
  • Chat live with an Admissions Advisor to get your questions answered now
  • Click Apply Now to get your application started today!
Apply Now

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, who helps create your resume, prepare for interviews, and apply for graphic design jobs
Apply Now

Our Students

BRENDA H. WINNIPEG

Very friendly staff, provide all information and are very eager and willing to help you in the process. I would definitely recommend Herzing to anyone interested in returning to school to further their education.

PARASKEVI S. MONTREAL

Herzing College gave me the education I needed to get a great job in the aerospace industry. Classes were interesting, pertinent and fun! Not only does this school help you find an internship, they help you find the right job, and continue to maintain relationships with alumni in the future. Great experience at Herzing!

JENNA D. WINNIPEG

As a single mom going back to school was intimidating but at Herzing College I actually feel that I can reach my career goal!

More Stories

Why Herzing

For over 55 years, we’ve been helping people transition back to school and into fulfilling careers

A Career-focused education is an education that provides students with marketable skills that employers are seeking.

At Herzing College our students are our top priority, and every decision we make stems from that commitment.

From the moment prospective students visit one of our campuses to the moment they walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, we do everything we can to create a positive and nurturing environment.

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