Why Choose North Island College?

• A cut above the rest. In response to industry and employer input, NIC’s programs include an increased number of advanced technology courses. As a result, NIC grads develop a higher level of technical expertise when compared to many other diploma and even degree graduates in the province.
• Professional experience counts. On-the-job experience is an integral part of the programs, giving you increased personal confidence, a stronger understanding of client expectations and direct professional connections.
• Innovation. Today’s employers and businesses value creative problem solving, and at NIC, you’ll discover challenges that require more than just facts to solve. Advanced communication design instructors look for innovative, creative solutions, preparing you for your future career.
• Develop your style. At NIC, you'll learn in smaller classes from experienced instructors who are focused on your success. You'll have greater access to resources, plus the professional guidance and encouragement you need as you develop your personal style. 

Program Highlights

The advanced diploma program builds on either the Web Development diploma or the Communication Design diploma. The first two years follow the highlights outlined in those programs.

During the third year, students complete their training with the remaining Interactive Media courses. For example, students who have achieved the Web Development diploma learn the fundamentals of communication design, while students who have finished the Communication Design diploma learn the skills of web development. In this way, all graduates of the Advanced Communication Design diploma possess a comprehensive knowledge of interactive media. Upon completion, graduates are eligible for membership with the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, the professional body for communication design.

With a strong combination of design and programming abilities, graduates can adapt rapidly to the changing industry and are qualified to manage a high level of client communication needs—whether in print, online, or both.

Career Opportunities

In today's job market, countless industries require the combined technical and design expertise of an advanced communication design graduate. Professions range from graphic and web design, advertising and publishing to e-commerce, game and multimedia production or design. Career positions may include, but would not be limited to, those listed under the two-year Communication Design diploma, plus graphic designer for print and interactive media, web developer, web consultant, multimedia project coordinator, business owner & operator, e-commerce site designer, and motion graphics designer. 

Admission Requirements

1. C in Provincial English 12, NIC ENG 060, ENG 098, ESL 090 or equivalent, or English assessment testing;

There are three ways of gaining admission to the Advanced Communication Design program:

• As a full-time student: This requires the submission of a Declaration form. A student should complete the program within three years of acceptance.
• As a part-time student: This requires the submission of a Declaration form. Students are encouraged to complete the program within six years of acceptance.
• As a non-program student: This is for students who would like to access the courses one at a time without committing to the program. On the NIC Application for Admission form, Students should choose University Studies as their program name. These students will only be admitted to individual courses after program students have enrolled and if there are spaces remaining. In the meantime, these students will be wait listed and will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. If a non-program student wishes to join the program full- or part-time at a later date, they will then be required to submit a Declaration form. The courses they have taken will be counted toward the program if there hasn't been too long a gap in their studies. All prerequisites and co-requisites will still be required.

Program Requirements

Year 1

• IMG 102 Computer Graphics I
• IMG 103 Computer Graphics II
• IMG 105 Communication Design I
• IMG 110 Web Tools I
• IMG 111 Web Tools II
• IMG 112 Typography
• BUS 162 Basic Marketing Principles & Practices
• FIN 110 Drawing & 2-Dimensional Language I
• FIN 111 Drawing & 2-Dimensional Language II 

Year 2

• IMG 100 Programming for Web Design I
• IMG 130 Project Management
• IMG 290 Portfolio Project I
• IMG 208 Communication Design II
• IMG 209 Communication Design III
• IMG 210 Web Tools III
• BUS 152 Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management
• BUS 368 Advertising and Marketing Communications
• CPS 146 Database Fundamentals
• FIN 247 Introduction to Digital Photography
• Optional Work term (4 weeks non-credit)

Year 3

• IMG 201 Programming for Web Design II
• IMG 202 Web Programming III
• IMG 206 Advanced Interactive Design
• IMG 230 Web Server Administration
• IMG 240 Emerging Technologies
• IMG 250 Web Game Development
• IMG 260 E-Commerce
• IMG 390 Portfolio Project II
• Elective (Can be drawn from any University courses)
• Optional Work term (4 weeks non-credit)

plus one English course from the following:

• ENG 107 Introduction to Creative Writing: Fiction & Non-Fiction
• ENG 108 Introduction to Creative Writing: Poetry & Drama
• ENG 115 Essay Writing and Critical Analysis
• ENG 120 Introduction to Literature: Short Stories and the Novel
• ENG 121 Introduction to Literature: Poetry and Drama
• ENG 125 Composition & Indigenous Literature I
• ENG 126 Composition & Indigenous Literature II
• ENG 160 Effective Organizational Writing