UCLA Extension Design Communication Arts Certificate Planner
UCLA Extension Design Communication Arts Certificate Planner
Ignite your creativity and prepare for a career in graphic design. With the Design Communication Arts Certificate, you will learn how to think like a designer while developing the visual literacy needed to thrive in a professional setting. Feel confident and ready to start your career as a graphic designer through portfolio reviews, a capstone course, mentorship and internship opportunities.
Total Units: 48-52
There are 48 total required units if taking the Design Software Boot Camp, or 52 total required units if taking Photoshop I, Illustrator I, and InDesign as individual courses. Students choose two electives.
May be completed 100% online.
Start any quarter!
Program at a Glance
In the charts below, view the quarter offered and teaching format for all required and elective courses in this certificate.
Course Format Legend
- I = In Person
- L = Live Online (Synchronously via Zoom)
- O = Online (Asynchronous)
For course format descriptions, see Instructional Formats
Required: Design Toolkit
Students can either take individual courses—Photoshop I, Illustrator I, and InDesign (3 courses; 12 units total)—or, the Design Software Intensive Boot Camp (8 units)
| Course Number and Title | Units | Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DESMA X 481.11 Photoshop I | 4 | I/O | O | O | O |
| DESMA X 481.47 Illustrator I | 4 | I/O | O | I/O | O |
| DESMA X 481.99Z InDesign | 4 | O | I | O | O |
| -or- | |||||
| DESMA X 481.60 Design Software Intensive Boot Camp | 8 | O | O | O | O |
Requires: Core Design Concepts
Color Methodologies and Typography should be taken in the 1st or 2nd quarter. Portfolio should be taken in your final quarter.
| Course Number and Title | Units | Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DESMA X 479.6A Design Fundamentals | 4 | I/O | I/O | I/O | I/O |
| DESMA X 482.10 Color Methodologies | 4 | I/O | I/O | I/O | I |
| DESMA X 479.4A Typography | 4 | I/O | I/O | I/O | I |
| DESMA X 479.3D Design History and Context | 4 | I | I | O | O |
| DESMA X 479.6E Design II: Collateral Communication | 4 | L | L | I | I |
| DESMA X 479.2D Design III: Branding | 4 | I | O | I | O |
| DESMA X 479.6P Design IV: Capstone | 4 | I | L | L | L |
| DESMA X 479.7P Portfolio | 4 | L | I | I | L |
FOR FULL-TIME CERTIFICATE STUDENTS
Quarterly Course Planning Guide
Use this suggested sequence, along with the typically offered course details above, to plan your full-time course of study. To schedule time with an advisor, email advising@uclaextension.edu
| 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
Photoshop I | Color Methodologies Typography Design II: Collateral Communication | Design III: Branding Design History and Context Elective | Design IV: Capstone Portfolio Elective |
Electives
Choose Two (2) Courses
Students must complete 2 electives (8 units) from courses numbered X 400-499 in Design Communication Arts, User Experience, or Photography. New electives are added regularly.
| Course Number and Title | Units | Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DESMA X 479.4B Advanced Typography | 4 | I | I | ||
| DESMA X 479.6BB Entertainment Design | 4 | I | |||
| DESMA X 479.3AB Graphic Design Career Launch Pad | 4 | I | I | ||
| DESMA X 479.47AA Illustrator II | 4 | O | |||
| DESMA X 481.99QT After Effects: Motion Graphics with AI Integrated Toolset | 4 | O | O | O | O |
| DESMA X 479.4D Publication Design | 4 | I | |||
| DESMA X 479.6C Package Design | 4 | I | |||
| DESMA X 479.9D Surface Design for Consumer Products | 4 | I | I | ||
| DESMA X 481.24B Frontend Web Development: A Practical Introduction with React | 4 | L | L | ||
| DESMA X 479.8D Brand Identity and Campaign | 4 | I | I | ||
| DESMA X 490.98AB Intro to AI: Reshaping the Future of Creative Design & Development | 4 | O | O | ||
| DESMA X 482.14 Mentorship: Design Communication Arts & User Experience | 4 | I/L/O | I/L/O | I/L/O | I/L/O |
| DESMA X 479.7F Internship | 4 | I/L/O | I/L/O | I/L/O | I/L/O |
Additional Electives
The following courses may also be taken for elective credit.
| Course Number and Title | Units | Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DESMA X 481.99AF User Experience I: Survey | 4 | O | O | O | O |
| DESMA X 479.8K User Experience II: Iteration | 4 | O | O | O | O |
| DESMA X 489.5F User Experience III: Applied | 4 | O | O | O | O |
| DESMA X 499C User Experience IV: Capstone | 4 | O | O | O | O |
| DESMA X 480.9K User Interface (UI) Design | 4 | L | L | L | L |
| DESMA X 489.5G User Experience Research | 4 | O | O | O | O |
| DESMA X 487.55 Performance Product Design + Wearables | 4 | I | I | I | I |
| ART X 413.20 Tattoo Workshop: Visual Language, Identity & Cultural Symbolism | 4 | I | I | ||
| ART X 430 Chinese Brush Painting | 4 | I | I | ||
| ART X 438.9 Photography I | 4 | I | I | I | I |
| ART X 439.90 Photography II | 4 | I | I | I | I |
| ART X 440.22 Lighting I | 4 | O | I | O | I |
| ART X 450.99 Telling Your Story: Narrative Photography | 4 | O | O |
Courses in this program are typically offered during the quarters and format(s) outlined above. Scheduling is subject to change at any time by UCLA Extension.