Advanced Graphic Design Certificate

This module provides the creative foundation for the entire program. Students will learn the principles of effective visual design—hierarchy, balance, rhythm, and spatial organization—and how to apply them across multiple media formats. Typography and color theory are explored in depth to develop visual literacy, and students will engage in design critiques to improve their ability to analyze and refine work. By the end of this module, students will be able to create visually appealing designs that communicate effectively across platforms.

• Apply design principles (Balance, contrast, rhythm, hierarchy) to real-world media projects
• Select and pair typefaces effectively for readability and tone
• Use color theory to create visually appealing, accessible designs
• Integrate design elements into cross-platform layouts
• Participate in and lead structured design critiques
• Communicate design choices clearly to collaborators and clients

In this module, students master Adobe Photoshop for creating and editing raster graphics. Topics include image correction, compositing, and advanced selection techniques. Students will work on creating print-ready files, social media graphics, marketing collateral, and visual assets for integration into video projects. By the end of this module, students will be able to produce professional-quality digital and print media using Photoshop’s full range of tools.

• Navigate the Photoshop interface and manage layers efficiently
• Perform professional-grade photo correction and retouching
• Create marketing-ready graphics for both print and digital formats
• Use masking and blending modes for complex compositions
• Apply Photoshop’s AI tools (E.g., generative fill) to enhance workflows
• Export optimized files for various platforms and uses

Students learn to create scalable vector graphics for branding, icons, infographics, and other media. This module emphasizes branding consistency, vector workflow best practices, and creating design systems for cross-platform use. By the end of this module, students will be able to create professional vector designs and export them for integration into print, digital, and video projects.

• Create vector graphics, logos, and brand marks using Illustrator’s core tools
• Design scalable assets adaptable to multiple media platforms
• Use pen and shape tools for precise illustration work
• Create and manage brand style guides and asset libraries
• Incorporate Illustrator AI tools for faster production
• Prepare vector files for integration into print, web, and video projects

In this module, students will learn to use Adobe InDesign—the go-to tool for creating professional, multi-page layouts. You’ll explore how InDesign differs from Photoshop and Illustrator, and how it excels at designing brochures, magazines, and interactive PDFs. Students will develop skills in typographic layout, style systems, and document formatting while working on a polished, print- and web-ready project. By the end, you’ll be equipped to create clean, organized layouts for both print and digital publishing.

• Navigate the InDesign workspace and document setup
• Understand when to use InDesign vs. Photoshop or Illustrator
• Create and manage multi-page layouts using master pages and styles
• Flow, format, and style text using advanced typography tools
• Place and manage images, graphics, and layered objects
• Use paragraph, character, object, and table styles for consistency
• Design documents for print, digital, and interactive outputs (PDFs, eBooks, etc.)
• Integrate with other Adobe tools and collaborate via Creative Cloud
• Explore AI-powered tools for layout assistance and content generation
• Complete a final project (e.g. interactive brochure, marketing flyer, or social media PDF)

In Module 5, students learn how to develop a complete brand identity system—from initial discovery and concept development to final execution and presentation. Students explore how to define a brand’s personality, create logos, and design supporting visuals that align with brand messaging and audience needs. In addition to traditional design workflows, this module introduces modern tools such as Figma for collaborative design and prototyping, along with emerging AI-powered tools (like Adobe Firefly, Canva AI, and Looka) that assist with concept generation, layout automation, and design variation.

Through client-style briefs, students build real-world brand assets, work in shared digital environments, and experiment with AI to speed up ideation or refine visual direction. The module culminates in the creation of a comprehensive brand package and a polished style guide ready for inclusion in the student’s portfolio.

• Brand discovery: audience research, moodboards, positioning
• Logo creation from sketch to vector (Illustrator + Figma)
• Design systems: fonts, color, imagery, icons, and tone
• Introduction to Figma for collaborative branding projects
• Exploring and leveraging AI design tools for ideation, layout, and creative enhancements
• Final brand presentation deck and mockups for portfolio

In Module 6, students have an opportunity to put their finishing touches on a standout, industry-ready portfolio.  In addition, as students begin to look after graduation and to the next step of their career path, our instructors will provide extensive mentorship on what the job market trends look like, and how to prepare to find work as a graphic designer and content creator.  At the end of this module, students will present their final Capstone project and receive critique from their peers. 

• Planning Capstone projects & portfolios
• Finding work as a graphic designer
• Resume writing for creatives
• Job search strategies and outreach
• Personal branding on LinkedIn and online platforms
• Full-scope design project: brand, packaging, campaign, etc.
• Final portfolio review

The Advanced Graphic Design Certificate is eligible for WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) funding, which is a federal workforce development program administered through local American Job Centers. WIOA can cover part or all of tuition for eligible individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, or seeking to change careers.

Your local American Job Center determines your eligibility based on your employment status and income level. If approved, your case manager authorizes funding through an Individual Training Account (ITA). DWC is listed as an eligible training provider and works directly with case managers to provide everything they need to process a funding request.

DWC prepares a complete documentation package for every WIOA-funded student, including the program description and learning objectives, tuition and itemized costs, the full program schedule, credential documentation for the DPOS professional certificate, labor market alignment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (graphic design employment projections, salary data, and job posting demand), and student performance and completion outcomes data. If your case manager has documentation requirements beyond this standard package, the admissions team will work with them directly.

DWC is approved to operate and enroll students in Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Indiana, Iowa, and Illinois. Students from other states are welcome to enroll. If your state is not listed, contact the admissions team to discuss eligibility and funding options in your area.

Not sure if you qualify? Contact your local American Job Center to start the eligibility process, or contact DWC’s admissions team and we can help you identify the right workforce resources for your situation.

The Advanced Graphic Design Certificate is eligible for funding through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). DVR provides training funding for individuals with documented disabilities who are working toward employment. DVR services are available in every state through state-run vocational rehabilitation agencies.

If you are already working with a DVR counselor, they can contact DWC directly to initiate enrollment and coordinate funding approval. DWC’s admissions team has experience working with DVR offices across multiple states and handles the documentation, scheduling coordination, and progress reporting that DVR counselors require.

If you think you may be eligible for DVR services but do not yet have a counselor, contact your state’s vocational rehabilitation agency to begin the intake process. Eligibility is based on having a documented disability that creates a barrier to employment. DWC can provide program information to support your application.

DWC awards scholarships to eligible students through the following programs.

The Tech Skills Scholarship is for unemployed individuals who are returning to the workforce and need financial support to complete their training. Scholarship amounts vary and are determined on a case-by-case basis.

The Women in Tech Scholarship is for women pursuing careers in technology, design, IT, data analytics, or other technical fields. Graphic design is one of the most accessible and in-demand creative career paths, and this scholarship is designed to help women build the professional portfolio and Adobe proficiency that employers screen for.

The Next Mission Scholarship is for eligible U.S. veterans and qualifying active-duty service members within 180 days of separation. The Next Mission Scholarship provides 80% off standard tuition on this program. For the Advanced Graphic Design Certificate, that means a qualifying veteran pays $1,199 instead of $5,995, with the remaining balance financed through Climb Credit at payments as low as $34/month over 36 months. Eligibility requires verified veteran status (DD-214 or equivalent), individual annual income between $30,000 and $75,000, and separation within the past 7 years. Veterans with income below $30,000 may qualify for fully funded training through WIOA or VA Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) at no out-of-pocket cost. Veterans with income above $75,000 qualify for the Community Heroes Discount of 40% off standard tuition. See if you qualify or visit the Next Mission Scholarship page for full details, eligibility criteria, and required documentation.

Scholarships can be combined with other funding sources including WIOA and DVR. To inquire about current availability, contact the admissions team or visit the financial aid page.

Many employers offer professional development budgets, tuition reimbursement programs, or workforce training stipends that can be applied to DWC certificate programs. If you are currently employed and your employer supports professional development, the Advanced Graphic Design Certificate may be partially or fully covered by your company’s existing benefits.

This is especially relevant if your current role touches any design-adjacent work, whether that is creating presentations, updating marketing materials, managing social media visuals, or producing internal communications. Employers who currently outsource design work to agencies or freelancers often find that training an existing team member in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is more cost-effective than continuing to pay external contractors for routine visual assets.

Start by checking with your HR department or manager about available professional development funds. DWC can provide a program summary document that includes the curriculum overview, credential outcomes, and a clear explanation of how the training benefits your employer. Contact the admissions team to request this document.

Looking for help to start the conversation with your employer?  Read our friendly guide here.

If your employer wants to enroll multiple employees or explore team training in Adobe Creative Cloud applications, DWC offers group training options and can work with your organization on scheduling and billing. Contact us to discuss employer-sponsored enrollment.

For students paying out of pocket, DWC partners with Climb Credit for student-friendly tuition financing. Climb Credit offers fixed monthly payments with terms up to 36 months, 0% interest payment plan options (subject to credit approval), no prepayment penalties, and an online application with fast approval.

For the Advanced Graphic Design Certificate at $5,995, monthly payments through Climb Credit can range from approximately $167 to $215 per month depending on the loan term and interest rate. Apply through Climb Credit to see your personalized options, or visit the financial aid page for more details.

Note that an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription is required for this program and is not included in tuition. Adobe Creative Cloud is available as a monthly subscription. The admissions team can advise on current pricing and student discount options when you enroll.

DWC also accepts direct payment by credit card or bank transfer. Contact the admissions team to discuss payment options.

YouTube teaches you how individual tools work. This program teaches you how to use tools to solve real design problems for real audiences, and there is a working designer in every session looking at your specific work and telling you what is and is not landing. The difference shows up most clearly in your portfolio. Students leave with a Capstone they have presented live and received detailed critique on, which is a fundamentally different artifact than a folder of tutorial exercises. When you are sitting across from a creative director who asks you to walk through your design decisions, the ability to do that with confidence is what separates candidates who get hired from candidates who do not.

Graduates pursue roles including graphic designer, marketing designer, brand designer, visual communications specialist, social media content designer, and creative services coordinator. With a strong portfolio and range across branding, print, and digital formats, designers move into senior designer, art director, and creative director roles over time. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 20,000 openings per year for graphic designers through 2034. Graduates who add digital and UI-adjacent skills from their training often qualify for roles in the web and digital interface design category, where the BLS reports a median annual wage of $98,090.

Graduates receive the DWC Advanced Graphic Design Certificate, issued as a higher education professional certificate by the State of Colorado Division of Private Occupational Schools. DWC provides full documentation for the credential, including credential verification, learning objectives, and program outcomes data, which meets the documentation requirements of WIOA case managers and DVR counselors. The program also prepares students for Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) exams in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Sitting for ACP exams is optional and exam fees are separate from tuition. ACP credentials are recognized by employers as application-specific evidence of proficiency and are worth adding to a job-search resume.

Yes. Portfolio development is integrated throughout all six modules rather than concentrated at the end. Students complete design projects in every module, including marketing graphics, vector brand assets, multi-page layout work, and a complete brand identity system. The Capstone in Module 6 is a full-scope design project (brand, packaging, or campaign) that you plan, produce, and present live with structured critique from instructors and peers. You leave with polished, professional-grade work you can walk through in detail during an interview or a client conversation. Unlimited career coaching is included for all students at no additional cost, covering resume review, portfolio feedback, LinkedIn optimization, and interview preparation.