Continuing Education Programs& Professional Development
Continuing Education Programs& Professional Development
Build a professional design portfolio & launch your career
Certificate in Graphic Design
Hunter College’s Certificate in Graphic Design provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant design world right in the heart of New York City. Our programs will equip you with the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience to succeed. The Certificate in Graphic Design prepares those who wish to pursue a career in Graphic Design and advances their professional portfolio. This certificate consists of 10 required courses that provide students with the theory and hands-on applications needed to succeed as a Graphic Designer.
Program Information
- Duration: The program consists of 10 courses; it takes a year to complete.
- Course Materials & Software: Students registered for this certificate must have access to the latest Creative Suite Premium. Using your Hunter ID (received 2 business days after registration), you may subscribe for monthly student access to Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Tuition: $4,200 plus one-time $25 registration fee.
- Payment Plan Down payment of $1,775 + 7 payments of $350.
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See the Program Modules. Explore the program brochure (PDF).
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Graphic Design Certificate Information and Course Schedule
Courses and Program Details
Visual Design for Everyone (GDVIDEEV)
Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
This introductory course teaches the basics of visual communication and design. Become an effective designer through concept development, project planning and production, and development of critical skills. 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). The course will also examine aesthetic and conceptual topics, like color theory, value, texture, pattern, icons, symbolism, perspective, overall look-and-feel, and the concept of “gestalt”—unified and consistent design.
Adobe InDesign I (GDADOIN1)
Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
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 their InDesign projects.
- Creating lists;
- Nested paragraph styles
- Using find/change;
- Creating a TOC and an index.
Adobe InDesign II (ADOIN2)
Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
Take it to the next level by using advanced techniques to create 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. This course also covers the secrets of good Typography Kerning, Tracking, Justification, Special Characters and White Space.
Adobe Photoshop I (GDADOPH1)
Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
This course is for both beginners and those with some background in Photoshop (with an emphasis on graphic design rather than programming). Prerequisite: Windows experience
Adobe Photoshop II (ADOPH2)
Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
In Photoshop II, students will continue using layers in greater depth and use Adobe Bridge to organize, sort, and add Photoshop Metadata to files. We will cover the use of Camera RAW both in Photoshop and Adobe Bridge. Using Channels, Quick Mask, and some new Photoshop tools, students will learn advanced techniques, learn some not-so-widely-known new Photoshop features, and see how Photoshop integrates with InDesign and Illustrator.
Adobe Illustrator I (GDADOILL)
Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
Adobe Illustrator is an essential tool for anyone who needs to express ideas visually in print, on the Web and via 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 (ADOIL2)
Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
In this course, we will explore the advanced features of Adobe Illustrator, such as Live Trace and Transparency Marks, 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.
Producing Video for Digital Publications (GDVID)
Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
This class focuses on the basics of shooting, editing and publishing video to YouTube, Vimeo or as part of a Digital Publication using InDesign. Learn how to shoot video using phones or digital cameras. No professional equipment is needed. We will cover the basics of editing using Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects (which are part of Adobe CC). Inexpensive equipment for audio will be covered.
Typography (GDTYPOGR)
Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
This course introduces students to the history of typography and its use. Learn how to utilize the basics of typography for enhancing projects, and improve skills in font selection, size of type, spacing, color, tracking, kerning, etc. Class projects include logo design, posters, ads, packaging and direct-mail. Prerequisites: Must have a good knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign.
Graphic Design: Making a Professional Portfolio (GDMAPRPO)
Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite
This course introduces students to the history of typography and its use. Learn how to utilize the basics of typography for enhancing projects, and improve skills in font selection, size of type, spacing, color, tracking, kerning, etc. Class projects include logo design, posters, ads, packaging and direct-mail. Prerequisites: Must have a good knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign.