Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design

at Humber College North Campus Canada

Humber’s User Experience (UX) Design graduate certificate simulates the interdisciplinary approaches needed to achieve an innovation process with a focus on design desirability, technological feasibility and business viability. In two semesters, you will be prepared to innovate by problem finding through design research, problem understanding through synthesis, and problem solving through design and prototyping experiences. You will learn how to create valuable courses of action by generating design problem hypotheses, structured design process plans, compelling UX deliverables and persuasive arguments.

You will learn human-centered design methods and rhetoric that ground your design in the needs of the public. In addition, you will learn how to use interaction design and design systems through industry-standard quality assurance methods, and how to design and implement user interfaces to follow corporate strategies. A variety of conceptual and practical work will help you develop effective UX design skills.

As a user experience designer, you will employ the work-practice of prototyping concepts in order to describe ways to integrate digital services with material products and environments. As a UX researcher, you will discover insights through usability testing and apply them to create value for corporate clients and their customers. Toward the conclusion of this program, you will convert your acquired skills and achievements into a portfolio of design products that will help you launch a career as a UX design professional. This program fosters the practical discipline, relevance and currency essential in the contemporary, ever-growing UX job market.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Facilitate team processes towards effective completion of user experience design projects.
• Represent a linked sequence of observed evidence, collected data, qualitative research findings, interpretations and proposed design solutions to stakeholders to solicit support and commitment.
• Assess requirements of a user experience design project, in order to increase corporate acceptance, usability and effectiveness.
• Present persuasive arguments in support of user experience projects which balance user needs with business objectives.
• Design a complex user experience project which considers a business uncertainty and plans for multiple outcomes.
• Manage projects using current and proven methodologies to coordinate the work of a multi-disciplinary user experience design team.
• Adapt recommendations and courses of action in accordance with explicit and implicit cultural, professional and ethical constructs involved in solving user experience design problems.
• Factor and refactor research methods and insight-generating frameworks in order to facilitate, inform and guide team problem-solving.
• Resolve uncertainties and create shared purpose with stakeholders using iterative prototyping.
• Evaluate, adjust and communicate design decisions in alignment with financial, technical, and usability factors.

Humber’s Information Technology graduate certificate program is designed to support students without an information technology (IT) background. Our program’s first semester includes an introduction to software development, database concepts and web development. In subsequent semesters, students engage in advanced study of a variety of information technology topics in areas including database development, database administration, enterprise software development (.NET/Java), web development, and mobile application development (Android and/or iOS).

You will learn how to effectively control, maintain and develop information technology systems. Working in teams and individually, you will create commercial applications that apply acquired theories to the creation, administration and development of databases as well as database-driven mobile, web and desktop applications. Project management skills will prepare you to work effectively in large IT departments and tackle large projects efficiently. In addition to building your collaborative and teamwork skills, this program will teach you how to best market yourself to prospective employers in today's competitive job market.

The Usability Lab is a new facility for students in the School of Media Studies & Information Technology at Humber College. This “Live Lab” is a full-fledged usability lab where content creators can capture & assess the interaction between user and design. This Usability Lab is specialized, in that it was purposefully built for usability studies to ensure that the environment does not interfere with the testing. Designed with flexibility at its core, it has been equipped with a broad variety of technology, supporting usability testing at many different levels of sophistication. What makes this lab unique is the fact that it is mobile. This one-of-a-kind usability lab can be delivered to those who wish to use and evaluate our designs, as well as their own. For our students, they can participate in, and lead experiments that will truly test the designs they have developed, to make sure they work in the manner they have been designed to work.

Graduates may qualify for full-time and freelance employment as enterprise software developers; junior and intermediate software developers; enterprise programmers for e-commerce; web programmers; intranet, extranet and database developers; or database administrators in corporate, small- and medium-sized businesses, government, entertainment, education, healthcare and the not-for-profit sector.

Humber’s Graphic Design advanced diploma program develops creative and strategic designers who execute for a wide range of interactive media such as web and screen, user interaction, motion design and also traditional print products. While learning and mastering design concepts, you will generate creative solutions and produce visuals for effective multimedia communication. As you gain desirable knowledge and skills, you will be exposed to the many topics and tasks required in contemporary design work. You will become strategically and typographically skilled and master digital, editorial, interactive, information, motion and web design techniques. Additionally, relevant programming and entrepreneurship knowledge will round out a comprehensive skillset.

As part of our interaction and design common platform cluster, this program will expose you to many aspects of design and allow you to collaborate with students in related fields. The first semester is shared with the Multimedia Design and Development program, and the first year of this program is shared with the Web Design and Interactive Media program. Your exposure to different types of design work and common programming elements will enable you to investigate your options and choose a focus prior to your second year of study.

You will explore the many facets of graphic design and be instructed and trained on industry-based technology and software. Cross-disciplinary projects will allow you to develop collaborative and teamwork skills while preparing you for workplace environments. This program includes the unique opportunity to work with BuildingF, our in-house creative & business communications hub, working on real projects for clients while building your portfolio and professional contacts.

Humber’s Journalism advanced diploma program is designed to produce dynamic storytellers who are immediately ready to work in a variety of media platforms as reporters, broadcasters, editors, producers and digital content managers. Our program is also ideal for those looking to go into communications or public relations.

As a journalism student, you’ll be given training in hands-on skills that are at the forefront of what’s happening in the industry today including reporting the news, creating broadcast stories, writing feature articles, capturing high quality images and creating compelling digital presentations. Our tight deadlines match industry standards. You will work individually and in teams in the classroom and in the field. You will learn from industry experts and media personalities. As well, you will get a solid grounding in media law and ethics.

We are constantly updating our curriculum to reflect the new reality of journalism in the digital age.

Our program features:

• courses with a focus on digital media, online publishing and developing web content including social media
• hands-on technical and production training including broadcast equipment, digital prepress, TV production and multimedia management
• entrepreneurial skills advice for today’s highly competitive media communications market
• real-life experience working on our online news site humbernews.ca, Humber Et Cetera campus news online, Radio Humber 96.9 FM, Humber TV and magazine productions
• valuable industry exposure and contacts through work placements which help you build your network and resumé
• experienced faculty working in industry bringing extensive and exclusive media connections

Humber’s Project Management graduate certificate program will prepare you to manage complex projects and programs. Given the recognition that project management skills and competencies have to the success of all organizations, this program attracts candidates from diverse backgrounds and industries whether public, private or not-for-profit sectors.

In just two semesters, you will learn the skills needed to move a project through conceptualization, initiation, planning, execution, control and closing. The curriculum is designed in collaboration with industry and closely aligned to the Project Management Institute's Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), as well as international best practices. You will thoroughly explore the key stages of the project life cycle, project economics and financial analysis, procurement management, leadership skills and professional best practices through a comprehensive project delivery model. It also exposes students to the adaptive/Agile approach to project management and the various frameworks that fall under the Agile umbrella. Students learn about trends in project management including cutting edge technology and electives in areas such as public sector, information technology, construction and strategic portfolio management.

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
  • Link projects with the organization’s strategic plans, documenting the business need and justification for the project.
  • Define and manage the overall scope of the project, documenting project goals, deliverables, constraints, performance criteria and resource requirements in consultation with project stakeholders.
  • Develop a comprehensive project plan.
  • Integrate project functions, making tradeoffs among competing objectives and alternatives in order to meet or exceed project objectives.
  • Implement planning and control procedures, resource management, and risk management plans.
  • Employ a range of methodologies, techniques and tools available to project managers.
  • Develop, implement and analyze key financial information, translating financial information into project terms and establishing financial benchmarks.
  • Identify, analyze and refine project costs to produce a budget and control project costs.
  • Determine quality requirements and implement quality assessment activities.
  • Identify and allocate human resources required to manage project tasks, both within the core project team and the broader organization.
  • Manage communications to ensure the timely and appropriate generation, collection, dissemination, storage and disposition of project information to aid in the achievement of project objectives.
  • Identify potential risk events, monitor and control project risk, and assess risk management outcomes.
  • Identify procurement requirements, establish procurement processes, and implement and evaluate contracts.
  • Monitor project progress, identify variances and take timely action to deal with problems and opportunities.
  • Anticipate and respond to challenges inherent in complex projects.
  • Develop creative and flexible solutions that bring projects in on time and within budget.
  • Adhere to legal requirements and ethical standards.
  • Interact with team and stakeholders in a professional manner, respecting differences, to ensure a collaborative project management environment.

Humber’s Carpentry and Renovation Techniques certificate is one of three stackable programs within the Carpentry-Construction group. Along with the Building Construction Technician diploma and the Construction Engineering Technology advanced diploma, the program introduces students to the carpentry trade, gives practical experience with trade regulations and with best practices. Students will be able to move from this certificate program into the diploma and advanced diploma programs. Additionally, Humber’s Carpentry and Renovation Technician diploma and Industrial Woodworking Technician diploma offer additional pathways.

The Carpentry and Renovation certificate program is designed to introduce you to both the practical experience necessary for trade regulations and the academic requirements of carpentry trade certification. You will gain a solid understanding of the fundamental technical elements of the carpentry trade.

You will learn health and safety practices and perform building construction and renovation tasks in compliance with contracts, building code, laws and ethical practices. These practices will be taught in light of established sustainability practices. You will learn to safely operate tools and assist in the preparation of estimations. Essential learnings also include time management, team work and problem solving.

Humber’s Cabinet Making certificate program, located at the Humber Centre for Trades & Technology, provides you with the knowledge and skills to construct and install basic cabinets, as well as build traditional furniture using recognized trade practices. By completing a series of woodworking projects, you will explore various types of joinery and construction techniques using hand tools, portable power tools, stationary machines, as well as computer-based technologies. Time management skills and the ability to work to a deadline are developed and stressed throughout the program.

Graduates of the program will be able to produce shop drawings, calculate a list of materials, cut out and assemble basic cabinetry or furniture and also apply a finish. Graduates are able to safely operate most common stationary woodworking machinery, as well as run a number of CNC machines in a limited capacity.

Fashion is an international business, and Humber’s Fashion Arts and Business diploma program places an emphasis on retail operations from both domestic and international perspectives. You will study marketing, store planning and merchandising, brand management, marketing, social media, event planning, and retail buying. You’ll also learn fashion trend forecasting, sales techniques, and colour and styling analysis while attaining basic knowledge of fashion products and fashion promotion. These skills are then applied to product launches, planning merchandise assortments, styling fashion shoots and the production of fashion events.

Our advisory committee provides regular review and input of curriculum ensuring our program is always on the cutting edge of industry developments.

In first year, courses in the business of fashion – marketing strategies, product knowledge, trend forecasting and web merchandising – give students an overview of this multibillion-dollar industry. In second year, students build on the skills developed on the foundation with wholesale sales, retail buying and operation, photo styling and event planning and budgeting.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Differentiate the purposes and functions of and the relationships between various elements within the structure of the fashion industry in order to identify business opportunities, challenges and solutions.
• Define and use correctly the terminology and language of fashion from a business and art perspective in order to communicate effectively with the range of stakeholders in the fashion industry.
• Identify artistic and business trends in order to capitalize on emerging opportunities throughout the stages of product development, manufacturing, distribution and promotion.
• Respond to current market conditions based on detailed analysis of company and/or industry reports.
• Design promotional materials and events using current digital technologies and styling methodologies in order to advance fashion arts and business objectives.
• Employ professional practices which support current business strategies and plans adhering to legal, ethical and sustainable standards appropriate to the fashion industry.
• Create a variety of strategic planning deliverables for achieving measurable goals for fashion merchandising, marketing, operations, finance and sales.
• Conduct vendor negotiations, budgeting, critical path analysis, communications and operations for effective fashion-related promotional events.
• Tailor visual and verbal presentations suitable for various stakeholders (e.g. buyers, senior managers, vendors, customers) to meet their specific requirements.
• Generate social media strategy and content for marketing purposes in order to build product and brand awareness.
• Negotiate mutually profitable business-to-business transactions between parties in the supply chain in order to maximize cost effectiveness.
• Develop professional development plans to set career goals based on self-assessment of strengths, interests and opportunities.

Humber’s Electrical Engineering Technology – Control Systems advanced diploma program blends in-class, academic learning with hands-on laboratory work to prepare you for a career in electrical power and control systems engineering. In the third year of this program, you’ll learn advanced skills for a thorough academic and practical approach to the control of electrical equipment and industrial process instrumentation in automated manufacturing, processing, power systems and utilities industries.

Our curriculum, designed in collaboration with industry, focuses on programming software, feed-back control system and motor control, instrumentation and programmable logic controllers (PLCs), power electronics, power generation, transmission and distribution, power system design, human machine interface (HMI) design, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA). Superior mathematics, physics and critical thinking skills will be es

Humber’s Electrical Engineering Technology – Control Systems advanced diploma program is designed in collaboration with an industry advisory panel ensuring you learn fundamental concepts and experience the latest technologies in this field. The program blends classroom theory with laboratory work on subjects such as electric devices, circuits, digital fundamentals, power generation and distribution, electrical computer-aided design (CAD), electrical codes, programming PLCs and industrial communications.

During the third year of this program, you’ll learn advanced skills to design, operate and maintain electrical equipment and instruments in automated manufacturing, environmental and power systems.

Our curriculum focuses on programming software, feed-back control systems, motor control, instrumentation, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), power electronics, power generation, transmission, distribution, power system design, human machine interface (HMI), and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). 

The program builds upon the solid technical foundation of our diploma program, providing broader career options. The skills learned in this program are enhanced through project-based learning in a hands-on teaching and learning environment.

Optional Co-op
This program offers an optional co-op opportunity. Co-op work terms enable you to apply your skills and knowledge in a work environment and gain valuable and practical experience related to your program of study. You will improve personal and technical skills while expanding your professional network.

For students who are accepted into the program, three co-op work terms will take place. The first four-month work term is between Semesters 2 and 3, and then two consecutive four-month work terms occur between Semesters 4 and 5. While co-op work opportunities are not guaranteed, participating students will receive a wide range of services to help them find a co-op placement.

sential to your success. The program builds upon the solid technical foundation of our technician program, ensuring wider career options. The skills learned in the technical program are enhanced through project-based learning and increased hands-on practice in the labs.

Humber’s Sport Management advanced diploma program prepares you to manage the business of sport. You will develop a thorough knowledge of the structure and functionality of the Canadian sport industry including specific responsibilities and governance structure of organizations; rules and regulations governing sport; coaching standards; tournament hosting and scheduling; and sport sponsorship development. You will also learn the practical, organizational, business, human resources and administrative skills needed to pursue a career in the industry.

A three-day leadership camp at the OELC (Ontario Educational Leadership Centre) helps build communication and leadership skills while guest speakers, practical training and field trips provide added benefits in preparing you for the workplace.

Courses are designed with industry collaboration, ensuring the program is current and relevant. You will learn from full-time professors, managers and directors of sport organizations. Classes are diverse and include guest speakers from organizations such as Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment, Tennis Canada, the Ontario Basketball Association and various games organizing committees. The program also includes field trips and practical training.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Assess the socio-cultural parameters that influence sport.
• Identify and work within legal, ethical and moral issues related to sport.
• Complete all work within the governance of agencies, authorities, organizational structure, and functions of governing bodies.
• Provide leadership in a variety of settings.
• Apply, analyze and communicate concepts of sport management.
• Articulate and track changes in marketing concepts, the uniqueness of sport marketing, and sport consumerism.
• Use appropriate information technology including a variety of software programs relevant to the business world.
• Apply, analyze and communicate accounting, economics and finance concepts pertinent to the operation of any organization.
• Apply knowledge of the HR function to the operation of a sport organization.
• Develop customer service strategies to meet the needs of internal and external customers.
• Plan, design and deliver sport and recreation programs.

Work Placement

• Our program includes two work placements in Semesters 5 and 6. Placements occur across industry sectors including professional sport associations, community and amateur sport governing bodies, and private sector sport organizations. These placements provide valuable experience and industry contacts.