Visual Communication Design
Diploma, 10 Months
September 2026

In a world driven by striking imagery and strategic messaging, visual impact is everything. The Visual Communication Design diploma at McKenzie College is an intensive, 43-week program crafted to turn your creative eye into a high-demand professional skillset. Seamlessly blending the technical precision of graphic design, the artistry of digital photography, and essential marketing fundamentals, this program is a powerhouse for anyone looking to master modern visual media. From mastering industry-standard tools to diving deep into typography, lighting, layout, and consumer strategy, you will learn how to craft compelling visual messages that not only look stunning but drive real business results.
This program is specifically structured to offer a fast-tracked, direct-entry route into the communication design world, completely bypassing the need for a foundation year. Whether you are looking to launch a brand-new career, pivot from a different industry, or elevate your current creative practices, the introductory and intermediate courses are designed to meet you where you are and push you to a professional level. Through hands-on assignments like managing studio lighting, executing targeted advertising campaigns, and building comprehensive brand identities from the ground up, you won't just learn the theory - you will actively build a diverse portfolio that proves your strategic capabilities.
Beyond technical artistry, this diploma prepares you for the realities of the modern creative economy. By exploring web UI/UX design, social media strategy, and self-promotion alongside core marketing principles, you will develop the essential business acumen needed to thrive as an independent freelancer or a collaborative player in a fast-paced agency environment. You will graduate not just as an artist, but as a strategic visual communicator equipped to turn your talents into a sustainable, highly rewarding career.
Student Work
Areas of Study
Creative Problem-solving
Design Process & Visual Vocabulary
Typography & Grid Principles
Brand & Visual Identity Design
Print & Digital Applications
Advertising & Social Media Design Design
Food & Product, Portrait, Creative, & Landscape Photography
Studio & Natural Lighting
Marketing Fundamentals
Career Paths
Freelance Creative
Publication/Editorial Designer
Marketing/Communication Designer
Production Designer
Brand/Visual Identity Designer
UI/UX Designer
Commercial Photographer
Product Photographer
Event Photographer
Photojournalist
Photo Editor
Tuition & Fees
$15,490 CAD
(Domestic)
$19,280 CAD
(International)
Tuition fees listed above do not include required equipment and supplies and the 1% student protection fee.
Please note: McKenzie College of Design reserves the right to modify, postpone, cancel, or relocate any program without notice.
Required Equipment & Supplies
• Working Laptop that meets the minimum requirements.
• Sketchbook
• Pack/Ream of Plain Paper
• Pencils
For online classes during unscheduled school closures:
• High-speed Internet Connection
• Webcam
• Headphones
• Microphone























