Cert in Design and Applied Arts

This one-year certificate brings current digital graphics tools together with the principles of visual communication and design. Students develop abilities in design thinking, storytelling with visuals, layout across print and web, rendering, type, and color theory. Topics range from advertising, package, and brand identity design to information design, interactive design, sustainable and ethical design, and emerging tools such as AI, AR and VR, and 3D graphics. Projects include logos, publications, webpages, user interfaces, and packaging systems. Faculty are working professionals who teach through hands-on, project-based work. Graduates finish with a portfolio and are prepared for roles such as pre-press specialist or web and UX designer. Credits can be applied toward the Visual Communication & Design program. Prospective students can speak with an advisor about course sequences, expected outcomes, and cost of attendance. People who are new to the college begin with Tri-C's online application.