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
- Semester 1:
2 Electives (choose 2 of the following): DESI 141, MUSC 3R, MCOM 15, GENE 25, GENE 179, GENE 304 - Semester 2:
2 Electives (choose 2 of the following): DESI 142, MUSC 8R, MCOM 5, GENE 165, GENE 300, GENE 304
2020-2021
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
N/A
This course introduces students to the world of marketing communications and the various components of the marketing communications mix. The course will show the relationships between the various forms of communications and how an organization uses them individually and collectively to resolve business problems. Businesses today are searching for integrated solutions, hence the need for coordinated planning of all forms of marketing communications.
This course is designed to enhance knowledge and appreciation of movies. Students will learn about the history of film, how films are made, how the movie industry operates, and how to appreciate and analyze films. The course is essential for anyone who wants to develop a life-long joy for movies. (3 hrs. per week)
Prerequisite: None
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.
This course further develops basic design fundamentals for a professional graphic designer. Students learn fundamental design concepts through the completion of hands-on projects. The topics include steps in the design process, the development of design layouts, and the role of the critique process.
Prerequisite(s): DESI 101 + DESI 131 + DESI 151 + DESI 181
N/A
This course is the second of two drawing courses in the Graphic Design program. Students learn fundamental drawing techniques and explore a variety of materials and tools. Students develop skills of observational drawing, with emphasis on proportion, composition and style. Students refine ideation sketches into original designs through brainstorming and testing multiple alternatives of a single concept. They learn drawing strategies enabling them to visually develop ideas and concepts as part of the process of producing effective artworks.
Prerequisite(s): DESI 141
This course is designed to improve your communication skills in the field of marketing communications. You will learn how to read and write creatively. Reading and writing creatively will help prepare you to write advertising copy, news releases, reports, as well as scripts for broadcast or video productions. You will learn how to research topics through traditional means by searching the Internet. To succeed in this course you will need an open mind, positive attitude, willingness to change, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Prerequisite: COMM34
This introductory online course highlights the complex and dynamic components of cultural groups and their interactions. Students reflect on their own cultures and learn about others through various theoretical perspectives including Social Science, Interpretive Approach, and Critical Approach. Based on concepts of history, power, and identity, students learn how intercultural communication is affected by language, non-verbal communication, culture shock, popular culture, relationships, and conflict. Students discuss how these theories can be used to examine differences between cultures.
*For students in the GAS-EAP program, this course counts as a General Education credit in any regular academic program.
Focusing specifically on the visual arts, this course develops visual thinking and literacy through the study of visual elements, principles of design and style in two-dimensional and three-dimensional arts.
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
2020-2021
Tuition fees are subject to change pending confirmation of provincial Ministry Funding rates for 2021-2022.
Tuition fees are subject to change pending confirmation of provincial Ministry Funding rates for 2021-2022.
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
Contact a member of our recruitment team
ask@sl.on.ca
1.800.463.0752 and ask for Recruiting
International Students Contact
international@sl.on.ca
+1 613.544.5400 ext. 5514