Web and Graphic Design Certificate
Certificate
| Type | Part Time Full Time |
|---|---|
| Length | 1 year |
| Campus | Prince George |
| Delivery | In Class |
| Fees* |
Estimated at $6,724.72
International Check fee schedule
*All fees are an estimate. |
| Starting Semesters | Fall 2026 |
Overview
The Web and Graphic Design certificate is a one-year program that combines core design theory with hands-on digital production in both print and multimedia. If you want to work as a creative professional in a career you love, then CNC’s Web and Graphic Design program is for you.
What you will learn
Students will learn visual and online communication strategies, digital art and interactive media, project management and creative problem solving.
Students will work on their own laptops using Adobe Creative Cloud applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, and Premier Pro.
Careers
Strategically position yourself for careers in communication design, web, digital media production, illustration and many other creative fields, including:
- Front-end web developer (user experience, user interface)
- Motion graphic designer
- Digital artist
- Graphic novel artist
- Character designer
- Game designer
- Interactive digital media designer
- Industrial or product designer (3D product design: jewelry, toys etc.)
- Advertising specialist (visual identity, branding, logo, interface, layout)
- Print designer (books, product packaging, catalogs, magazines, advertisements, promotional and informational materials, educational materials, corporate print materials)
- 3D or 2D animator
- 3D modeller
- Illustrator
Industries
Web & Graphic Design graduates could end up working either "in house" for large or medium-sized organizations or for agencies that get hired by other organizations. Many designers also choose to be self-employed as freelancers, either full-time or in addition to other work.
Potential workplaces include:
- Web design and development studio
- Graphic design agency
- Marketing and advertising agency
- Media or publishing company (including print, online, or television)
- In-house marketing and communications department
- Film and video production company
- Sign and graphic company
- Copy and print centre
Past/current employers
Places some of our previous graduates have/are working at:
- ABC Communications Ltd.
- AllMobile Signs and Graphics
- Angler’s Atlas
- Business2Mobile
- CBC
- CKPG TV
- College of New Caledonia
- Concept Design Ltd.
- CTV - Vancouver
- Indigo Ink Graphic Design
- Info Pages Directory
- Integris Credit Union
- IRL Signs
- Livework Communications
- PG Web Designs
- The Prince George Citizen
- The Prince George Free Press
- Printwerx.ca
- SpeeDee Your Office Experts Ltd.
- Splash Media Group Inc.
- Trim-Line Sign Crafters
- Up the Creek Garment Co.
- Moko Productions
- Northern Health
- On-reel Video Production (currently VideoNexus)
- Opinion 250 News Inc.
- The Quesnel Cariboo Observer
Post-graduate options
Educational institutions past students have attended after the program:
- The Art Institute of Vancouver
- Athabasca University
- British Columbia Institute of Technology
- Capilano University
- Emily Carr University of Art + Design
- Mount Royal College
- Thompson Rivers University
- VanArts - Vancouver Institute of Media Arts
- Vancouver Film School
- Vancouver Island University
Courses
Learn visual and online communication strategies, digital art and interactive media, web design, typography, project management and creative problem solving while you prepare promotional materials to promote yourself and other businesses. Our one program offers a creative learning environment that spans multiple disciplines yet still gives you the opportunity to specialize in a chosen field. Use programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver and Premiere Pro along with other Adobe Creative Cloud Software.
Required courses
FINE-107
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Mackenzie |
| Requisites |
|
Description
Learners will further develop image-making skills and ideas about pictorial space in a digital environment, along with the historical and conceptual connections between digital technologies and contemporary art. Instruction will include the use of computer graphics software and hardware, digital input, image processing, and digital output. Content will also include computer concepts such as the relation of analogue to digital, bitmap and vectorbased images, resolution, and archiving work. Learners will create a digital portfolio of their work.ENGL-120
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Quesnel |
Description
This course introduces forms and strategies for online content development. With use of narrative being increasingly important in web marketing, students will find material and shape content according to audience needs and expectations. Students will explore development patterns for forms including blogs, social media, wikis, landing pages, press releases and more, and discover how content strategies can drive web traffic. Students will also explore new perspectives to condense and simplify existing content, and practise writing and editing their own and each other's work.WEGD-121
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
Design Thinking investigates "Individual as Innovator" by working on design problems in a human, interactive, collaborative, and prototypical way. Students will gain an understanding of the methodology and language used in human-centred design as they problem solve for real and fictitious clieents. Participants will empathize, define, ideate, prototype and test their way to solutions for business, visual, online, and print media using traditional tools and industry standard software programs. Project-based assignments will develop a foundation in design thinking suitable for those going on to study in a variety of design disciplines.WEGD-131
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
Visual Communication focuses on developing an understanding of the reasons and ways in which people have chosen to communicate. Students will investigate a variety of visual communication examples from the historical to the contemporary and use them as catalyst for their own work. The course will survey work from a variety of different cultures, including Canadian First nations. Students will use those investigations to create their own case studies of techniques both past and present, and will share their projects through a variety of presentations.WEGD-141
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of website design. Students will learn how to design, develop, optimize, publish, and troubleshoot basic HTML and CSS based websites. Students will create websites with standard text editors and with industry leading website development and image editing software. The class is taught with a focus on current and emerging web standards and best practices. Students will analyze and assess other websites to gain insight into the design of their own websites.WEGD-142
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course is a continuation of WEGD 141 and focuses on intermediate concepts around designing, developing, optimizing, publishing, and troubleshooting HTML and CSS based websites. More advanced concepts around user experience, interactive design, and search engine optimization will be discussed. Learners will gain experience in integrating other forms of media into their websites including animation, audio and video. Students will become proficient using industry-leading website development and image editing software. Students will gain an awareness of other technologies that, while beyond the scope of this course, are important components of the current website development landscape.WEGD-151
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
A must for all who wish to design visual solutions that present clear messages, this course will discuss, evaluate and research aspects of Typography as the most basic element of design. Students will learn the role of type in communication as they investigate 'meaning aesthetics' and 'functionality' of letterforms, individually and in word, sentence and paragraph formations. Through the study of typography's graphic and communicative elements, the class will examine letterform anatomy and analysis, form and counter-form, hierarchy, legibility, type conveyance of voice, mood, and meaning and the use of grids. The knowledge gained in this class can be applied to solving any visual problem that involves the typographic form whether it will be presented on a sheet or screen.WEGD-161
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
Students gain an understanding of the basic terminology of graphic design to comprehend and communicate visual language. The elements and principles of design and use of perspective and proportion are explored in both colour and black and white. Using analogue and digital tools and techniques, students respond to design challenges in a range of media, combining text and images with skill and intention to convey concepts and ideas.WEGD-261
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Mackenzie |
Description
Students envision their future as creatives either working for themselves or other companies and clients, learning to align that future with their values and aspirations. The skills and vocabulary that support working for oneself or a business will be introduced through a creative lens. Focusing on their personal goals, students will gain understanding of and create tools for: identifying their interests, marketing to an audience, analyzing a business landscape, prioritizing tasks, and financial planning.English choice
ENGL-103
Typical Offerings
| Timing | All Terms, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Quesnel |
Description
A study of grammar, composition, and style. A vigorous program of essay-writing plus a variety of writing assignments or exercises dealing with specific problems in essay-writing. Strongly recommended for students who wish to improve their writing skills.ENGL-113
Typical Offerings
| Timing | All Terms, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Quesnel, Mackenzie |
Description
ENGL 113 introduces students to the principles and practices of effective written and oral communications in English as applied in current academic, business, and technical contexts in university course levels. Instruction will emphasize grammar, punctuation, style, and presentation as important elements applied to a wide variety of writing and speaking situations: e-mail, letters, reports, and instructional and persuasive talks. Research strategies will be practiced.Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Fall 2027 Intake and Onwards
For applications to the Fall 2027 intake (September start), you must meet the following requirements:
Basic computer skills are required.
Note: Students are required to use a keyboard and mouse or alternative means to interact with the operating system and software.
Need help meeting these requirements? Check out our options.
Course completion
Courses must be completed no more than 5 years prior to the date of graduation in order to count toward the Web and Graphic Design Certificate.
This policy applies to CNC courses and to all courses transferred from other post-secondary institutions for credit at CNC. Courses more than 5 years old may be considered for unassigned credit. Students should contact the Dean to discuss this option.
Professional certification or accreditation bodies and receiving institutions may have different criteria.
Open admission
Any program of study that does not have a selective admission process or fixed capacity and is on a “first qualified, first admitted” basis.
| Type | Campus | Starts | Status |
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Open for Applications |
Invest in your future
Certificate
The estimated cost for this program is $6,724.72.
Equipment
Students are required to bring their own laptop and software. The Adobe Cloud is approx. $270/year.
These costs are an estimate. Student fees vary by campus. Check the for more details.
Supplies for this program can be purchased from the bookstore.
