Overview
This one-year certificate program in Media Arts Fundamentals provides students with an opportunity to explore the exciting variety of disciplines and careers in media, design, and the arts.
Courses in professional communications, digital media applications, and academic preparation provide a foundation for the program, while a variety of media-arts electives allow students to earn credits toward specialized two- and three-year diploma programs in Graphic Design, Visual & Creative Arts - Fine Arts, Music & Digital Media, Advertising & Marketing Communications, and General Arts & Science.
Courses in the final semester focus on professionalism, career exploration and the preparation of a media-arts portfolio that students can tailor to academic or career pathways that interest them most. Interesting community partnerships with Kingston's rich and vibrant arts community, as well as guest speakers and mentors with careers in the media arts will help students decide their next steps into this vibrant sector of the economy.
Program Details
Program Outline
2023-2024
This course is designed for students who are not professional designers or photographers but who have a personal interest in photo and image editing. BCOM17 explores a range of Photoshop tools, palettes, and functions used for creating, editing, capturing, repairing, resizing, and enhancing digital images. The course includes modules on selection techniques, layers, paint and colour techniques, type elements, filters, sharpening and softening, actions, lighting, repairing and retouching, and printing and publishing. (3 hrs. per week)
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to help students develop and practice the communication skills needed to succeed in college and workforce environments. Emphasis is placed on improving foundational communication strategies-reading, writing, listening, and speaking—and on developing research and critical thinking skills.
Each semester, students select one elective course. The available electives change somewhat each semester. In semester 1, options often include:
- DESI 141
- MUSC 3R
- MCOM 15
- GENE 25
- GENE 179
- GENE 304
This course is a computer lab based practical course that is a study and introduction to video editing and post-production. Students will demonstrate through the Adobe Creative series basic non-linear editing techniques to produce visual montages and sequence-based instructional videos.
In this course, students continue to develop their basic design fundamental skills towards competence as professional graphic designers. Students explore how various conceptual approaches communicate meaning to an audience by completing hands-on projects. Learners focus on research, ideation and iteration as components of the design thinking process, the development of design layouts, and the role of the critique process. Further topics of professional practice are also explored, including communicating design to other designers, self-direction, and self-care.
Each semester, students select one elective course. The available electives change somewhat each semester. In semester 2, options often include:
- DESI 142
- MUSC 8R
- MCOM 5
- GENE 165
- GENE 300
- GENE 304
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with the majority of Grade 11 and 12 courses at the C, U or M level including the following prerequisites:
- Grade 12 English at the C or U level
- Grade 11 Math at the C, U or M level
For OSSD equivalency options, see Admission Requirements.
If you are missing prerequisite courses, enroll in the Career/College Prep program - free for Ontario residents who are 19 years or older.
Fees
2023-2024
Fees are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters.
Fees are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters.
Kingston
Our Kingston campus has seen significant renovation over the past few years, including a brand new Student Life and Innovation Centre that houses a new gymnasium, fitness centre, pub, and more.


Career Opportunities
- Advertising
- Art History
- Gallery/Museum Curation
- Art Conservation
- Animation
- Digital Media Marketing
- Fine Arts/Creative Arts (painting, sculpture, printmaking, digital art, etc.)
- Game Design
- Graphic Design
- Interaction Design (Web Design)
- Multimedia Design
- Photography/Photojournalism
Program Contacts
Program Contact
Jonathan Sugarman
jsugarman@sl.on.ca
Admissions Information
Click here to message Recruitment.