Whether you are a beginner who is creating a portfolio for the first time or a more experienced designer who wants to upgrade your presenta­tion, this certificate program will teach you how best to present your unique identity and to learn how to put together a memo­rable portfolio that you can add to your resume. This comprehensive certificate consists of 12 required courses which provide students the theory and hands-on applications needed to succeed as a Graphic Designer.

This Spring, we’re giving students in the Graphic Design Certificate program the opportunity to utilize and implement the skills they are learning in a real, tangible way.

Our Graphic Design students will have the opportunity to develop projects which will be implemented into the Continuing Education marketing initiatives. Examples include a brochure cover, postcard, e-newsletter, and html email design for upcoming semesters. Students whose projects are selected will have a published piece of work to add to their portfolios.

Visual Design for Everyone $400
This is an introductory course for people who have not studied design, but want to learn the basics of visual communication and design. You will become an effective designer through concept development, project planning and production, and the development of critical skills. Using traditional media, 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. Finally, we will examine aesthetic and conceptual topics, like color theory, value, texture, pattern, icons, symbolism, and the concept of gestalt, or unified, consistent design.

Adobe InDesign for Beginners I $350
Learn this popular graphic design program from a computer graphics professional in a relaxed, fun classroom atmosphere. 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 your InDesign projects.

Adobe InDesign II $350
Take it to the next level using advanced techniques in creating and using 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. We will also cover the secrets of good Typography Kerning, Tracking, Justification, Special Characters, and White space.

Introduction to Dreamweaver $375
In this Adobe Dreamweaver training class, students receive a comprehensive introduction to using Dreamweaver 8 to create websites Students also learn how to use Dreamweaver Templates, Library Items, and Snippets. Students will master all of the “Behaviors” Dreamweaver offers that insert client side JavaScript on your site. (Prerequisites, Photoshop and Illustrator.)

Introduction to Flash $375
Flash is the all-purpose multimedia program that sets the standard for Web design, animation, and presentation. This course will familiarize you with the user-friendly Flash interface, and have you creating animations and web banners by the end of the second session.  Topics covered: the principles of Flash animation, the creation of graphics within Flash, importing digital photos and videos, frame rates and how frame size will affect your project. There will also be a brief discussion about how to best prepare work in other programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator for import in Flash. (Prerequisites, Photoshop and Illustrator.)

 Adobe Photoshop I $350
Photoshop is one of the top selling computer graphics programs on the market. This course is for both beginners and those with some background in Photoshop, with an emphasis towards graphic design rather than programming. Prerequisite: Windows experience.

Adobe Photoshop II $350
In this section of Photoshop we will continue the use of Layers in greater depth. We will use Adobe Bridge to organize, sort and add Photoshop Metadata to your files, as well as cover the use of Camera RAW both in Photoshop and through Adobe Bridge. Through the use of Channels, Quick Mask, and some new Photoshop tools, we will learn some advanced but easy techniques. We will see how Photoshop integrates with InDesign and Illustrator and learn some not so widely known new Photoshop features.

Adobe Illustrator I $350
Adobe Illustrator is an essential tool for anyone who needs to express ideas visually in print, on the Web, and in 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 $350
The advanced features of Adobe Illustrator, such as Live Trace and Transparency Marks, will be explored 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.

Typography $375
This course shows students to use the basics of typography to enhance projects by improving skills in selection of fonts, size of type, spacing, color, tracking, kerning, etc. The projects will include logo design, posters, ads, packaging, and direct-mail. This course will also discuss the history of typography and its use up to the present. Prerequisites: must have a good knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

Graphic Design: Making a Professional Portfolio $750
This course introduces you to the art of creating designs with the focus on all the parts necessary to create a completed portfolio. This portfolio will represent who you are and what you are capable of designing. This course explores the elements of concepts, design, shapes, colors, typography and proportions. Students will learn how design works by learning how to choose the correct colors and shapes that will enhance your projects. Projects consist of brochures, newsletters, advertising inserts, direct mail and CD covers. Prerequisites: must have a good knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

The Business of Graphic Design $400
Students will learn how to reach their career goals, through research and discussion of following topics: creating a business identity, formulating a marketing message, developing marketing materials, presenting a portfolio, job-hunting, interviewing, networking, approaching and working with clients, and more. Students will develop a clear plan for setting up their business and marketing their design skills, including a fully-developed business identity, and completed applications for registering their business name and their domain name. They will design and produce their own marketing tools, as well as present their resume and portfolio at least once for a top-to-bottom critique.

Click on the image for the Course Curriculum:

Registration and Tuition:
The complete certificate program is $3,900. To register for the complete certificate, you must register in person. Payment plans can be arranged. Please contact our bursar office at 212.650.3850. You may also register for each course individually through our Course Browser.

To view the payment plans, please click here.

There is a particular order you need to take the courses; you must take part 1 before part 2. The final courses are The Business of Graphic Design and Graphic Design: Making a Professional Portfolio.

Course Status
If enrollment for a course does not reach a required level, the course will be canceled. However, when maximum enrollment is reached, the course will be closed immediately and the names of interested registrants will be put on a wait list and notified on a “first come” basis if an opening occurs. Please register early to avoid disappointment.

Grades
Students’ progress is measured through examinations, research and writing assignments, and classroom participation. A grade of A, B, or C is required in each course certification. A passing grade is 73=C.

Attendance Requirements
Students are required to attend all the classes and be on time. If absence occurs, the student is responsible for making up missed assignments. The instructor maintains and submits attendance records for each student.

Retake Policy
If a student fails a course, CE will send him or her a letter to retake the course, free of charge, within one year. This privilege can only be exercised once for the duration of the program. If a student is unable to complete or has to drop a course, please state the reason in writing and send to Continuing Education. With all retakes, the registration fee must be paid, if applicable, when registering.

Continuing Education’s certification programs are offered for no college credit. A certificate is awarded to students who successfully meet the requirements explained in the CE bulletin.