Get the best web design training, the best career skills, and the best jobs
“Graduates from Sheridan are typically much stronger job candidates than graduates from any other Web design program,” a Toronto agency executive told
Marketing Magazine recently. “They are the only ones who are job-ready.”
Sheridan Web Design Program is built around professional skills that translate directly to the marketing, advertising, e-commerce and Web design industries. During two semesters of intensive, project-based Web design training, you'll:
- Design and launch four to six websites
- Design additional interactive and online materials including motion graphics, banner ads, newsletters, micro-sites and content for mobile delivery
- Learn the current versions of Flash, Dreamweaver, and other industry-standard Web design and rich media software
- Gain basic coding skills in HTML, CSS and Actionscript
- Learn about online marketing
- Learn about interaction design and usability
- Make connections with Web design professionals, including Sheridan faculty and alumni
View samples of student work here
Flexibility in a Fast-paced Industry
Web design trends and technologies are constantly evolving, and so is Sheridan’s curriculum. You’ll learn the most up-to-the-moment practices — but you’ll also develop core principles that never change, so you can adapt to whatever new Web design trends come along next month, next year, or next decade.
As Canada’s only two-semester postgraduate Web design diploma program, Sheridan offers the shortest path to a Web design career: You can be working in less than a year. We draw students from a wide range of design-related fields, including graphic design, illustration, architecture, industrial design and fine arts. These varied backgrounds, combined with small class sizes and collaborative assignments, produce a creative environment that mirrors the workplace at a marketing firm or ad agency.
Web Design classes and courses take place at the Trafalgar Road Campus in Oakville, Ontario.
Develop and implement solutions to problems encountered in all phases of the design process
Elements of the Performance:
- demonstrate a command of the design process from research and analysis through to appropriate levels of presentation of the final product
- execute designs according to instructions of senior designers, supervisors, and clients using standard industry procedures and technology
- demonstrate analytical ability to solve complex design problems
- execute designs that are meaningful and appropriate to their target audience
- develop appropriate and innovative solutions, working within the dynamics of the target market, with consideration for the project restrictions
Create visual communications through the application of design theories and principles to develop effective design solutions
Elements of the Performance:
- effectively utilize the elements of visual language including composition, visual priorities, image, and type
- research, use, and manipulate existing images within acceptable ethical and legal guidelines under appropriate supervision and direction
- use and manipulate created images
- apply knowledge of design principles in the evaluation of one's own work and other designers' development of design solutions
- apply a working knowledge of the characteristics of colour systems for digital media
- select the visual approach most appropriate for each project
Apply typographic skills and knowledge to create effective visual communications
Elements of the Performance:
- apply knowledge of basic typographic terminology
- apply knowledge of industry standard software
- apply a basic knowledge of web-based typographic principles in executing design work
- apply typographic skills and knowledge to the creation of original designs
- achieve desired impact through application of typographic skills and abilities including selection, readability, legibility, and spacing of type
Apply a variety of technologies to create, capture, and manipulate design elements in producing a final product
Elements of the Performance:
- identify technical issues in the use of digital working methods for design
- apply skills in the areas of image conversion, cropping, resizing, and clean-up using digital techniques
- manipulate, and compose images for design purposes
- create functional interactive components and finished products
- create and incorporate digital motion graphics
Communicate effectively, credibly, and accurately with clients, supervisors, coworkers, and target audiences
Elements of the Performance:
- plan, organize, and deliver effective oral presentations
- apply knowledge of computer hardware/software, web design, and interactive design to create effective communications
- use market research to target communications to specific audiences
- prepare all material free of language errors (e.g., typos, grammar)
- use terminology appropriate to the situation and audience
- prepare effective reports to document and support the design process
- function as part of a work group
- apply knowledge of new media-at-large, IT, and web/online digital communications
- develop, edit, and proofread written copy and integrate it into all phases of the design process
Apply effective business practices and project management skills appropriate to his/her position in the web design field
Elements of the Performance:
- contribute to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of web design projects
- use time and resource management skills to achieve project goals
- apply the principles of cost control to all work
- recognize the impact of marketing
- assist in project management including budget control and time-line control
- apply the principles of entrepreneurship to the web design environment
- check all fine detail to ensure the professional quality of web design projects/products
- support the development of brand identities and branding activities
Develop personal and professional strategies and plans to improve job performance and professional relationships with clients, coworkers, and supervisors
Elements of the Performance:
- maintain a professional attitude and appropriate professional demeanor towards employers, clients, colleagues, and suppliers
- contribute to the development of ideas
- evaluate one's own work and the work of others in reference to the project criteria
- gain knowledge through analysis of existing case histories
- maintain knowledge of professional organizations and associations, and career opportunities and expectations
- keep abreast of changes in technology relating to web design
- work in a professional manner and maintain professional relationships
- act flexibly and adaptively in all work situations
- maintain a portfolio of current work