Course catalogue

This Micro Credential introduces learners to the powerful 3D modeling capabilities of Blender. Students will learn the principles of 3D modeling, create their own models, explore the basics of animation, particle effects, material creation, and exporting models for use in other software such as Unreal Engine. Learners will engage in a variety of assessments including designing a 3D model and creating a simple animation.  

This Micro Credential provides the foundation for Unity, one of the most popular game development platforms in the industry. Whether you're an aspiring game developer, designer, or hobbyist, this course will take you from beginner to confidently creating simple 2D and 3D projects. Through hands-on practice, you will learn how to navigate Unity's interface, build and manipulate 3D objects, apply materials, and create basic game mechanics using C# scripting.

Instructor : Lori Lukasewich

Acrylic paints are so versatile and perfect for those who are interested in building a strong foundation in painting. Learn the essentials of color theory, paint mixing, brushwork, and composition through a series of guided projects, focusing on still life and landscape subjects. Through consistent practice you will develop your technical skills and gain confidence in your creative abilities, whether you're new to painting or returning to it. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

Adapting Communication Strategies for Diverse Audiences and Channels focuses on equipping learners with the skills to tailor communication strategies to effectively engage diverse audiences across multiple platforms. Learners will analyze audience needs, preferences, and cultural contexts to create messages that resonate and foster connection. The Micro also emphasizes adapting communication styles for different channels, such as social media, email, presentations, and print media, ensuring clarity and impact. 

Adapting Communication Strategies for Diverse Audiences and Channels focuses on equipping learners with the skills to tailor communication strategies to effectively engage diverse audiences across multiple platforms. Learners will analyze audience needs, preferences, and cultural contexts to create messages that resonate and foster connection. The Micro also emphasizes adapting communication styles for different channels, such as social media, email, presentations, and print media, ensuring clarity and impact. 

Please Note: Start & End dates refer to open & closing of registration, NOT the start or end of the course

In this course, you'll learn the fundamentals of After Effects and how to create simple animation techniques using the software. 

You will be introduced to the basic interface, and gain an understanding of how to create compositions, import assets, in addition to learning compositing and colour grading principles. You will also learn basic motion graphics techniques by animating shapes and text, and how to create movement and keyframes alongside an audio track.

About Micros:

• Register & start WHENEVER
• Self paced & learner driven
• No scheduled class
• 3 Months to Finish

Please Note:  Start & End dates refer to open & closing of registration, NOT the start or end of a course.

The Animation Capstone serves as the culmination of your learning journey through the nine Micro Credentials that make up the Animation Professional Certificate. It provides an opportunity to integrate the skills and knowledge you’ve gained into a professional-level project that demonstrates your expertise in animation. The total project should take approximately 40 student notional hours to complete. Students have three months to submit their final project. 

 

Instructor : Raeann Cheung

Experience the magic of shooting black and white film and the anticipation of developing your images in the darkroom. Begin with mastering basic film camera functions before you are introduced to the complete analog process. Learn how to load film onto reels and canisters in total darkness, hand-process your negatives, and use an enlarger to create prints on light-sensitive paper in a traditional darkroom. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

Instructor:  Shea Proulx

Drawing plants and fruit from life requires close observation and strong hand-eye coordination. Learn how to refine your perceptual skills through a series of focused, studio-based assignments. You will also be introduced to colour theory and learn how to use pencil crayons effectively to achieve rich, vibrant results. Class discussions and critiques will support your development and help you grow as a confident, detail-oriented observer and artist. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.   

This course equips learners with the skills to design and build custom chatbots. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of chatbot development, learning to create engaging personalities and scripts using tools like Dialogflow and GPT-4. The course emphasizes hands-on practice, allowing learners to design functional prototypes that integrate text and voice recognition for seamless user interaction. Key topics include interaction design, improving chatbot usability, and analyzing user behavior to enhance engagement. 

Instructor Amy Bouchard  

Continue developing your ceramic practice and refine your skills in both wheel throwing and hand building. Designed for students who have completed previous ceramics experiences and are ready to take on more complex forms and personal projects. With a focus on improving technique, exploring surface treatments, and experimenting with form and function, you will be encouraged to push your creative boundaries. Glazing and firing processes will be revisited in greater depth, with attention to craftsmanship and finish. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

This Clear Messaging Micro Credential equips learners with the skills to develop messaging frameworks that deliver key information with clarity and impact. Learners will distill complex ideas into straightforward, engaging messages tailored to their audience and communication goals. The course emphasizes the principles of brevity, coherence, and consistency across platforms and formats, providing practical tools to craft messages that resonate and drive action. 

This Micro Credential is designed to enhance the capabilities of professionals in managing client relationships and fostering effective communication channels. Suitable for individuals across all sectors, this micro-credential focuses on practical strategies and psychological insights that facilitate strong, sustainable client connections. Learners will engage in a variety of assessments including written assignments and a detailed project plan.  

This Micro Credential is designed to enhance the capabilities of professionals in managing client relationships and fostering effective communication channels. Suitable for individuals across all sectors, this micro-credential focuses on practical strategies and psychological insights that facilitate strong, sustainable client connections. Learners will engage in a variety of assessments including written assignments and a detailed project plan.  

Instructor Zach Schuster

Create unique comic characters through a series of thumbnail sketches that you develop into final drawings for a comic book or graphic novel. Develop a personal style that becomes identifiable with you as you hone your drawing and communication skills. Use a variety of media, including pen and ink, marker, pencil, and water-based colour to complete your comics. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

Please Note:  This Micro Credential takes place through online scheduled sessions, please refer to the schedule for class dates and times.  

Community Outreach and Volunteer Engagement provides learners with the tools and knowledge needed to foster meaningful community engagement and effectively manage volunteer relationships. The Micro Credential focuses on defining clear objectives, identifying target communities, creating strategic engagement plans, conducting outreach activities, and building long-term partnerships to obtain volunteers. Additionally, it emphasizes strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers, addressing their wellness and motivation, and fostering trust.   

Note: This course follows an online self-paced format, allowing you 12 weeks to complete all course content from the date of registration. Start/End dates posted are for internal purposes only. 

In this course, you'll cover the basic skills and techniques necessary to create attractive and meaningful data visualization graphics for any application. 

Learn semiotics, vector creation, basic cartography, data interpretation, data visualization and simplification and how to design easy to read graphics for a wide array of viewers. There will be four projects aimed at furthering your understanding of core concepts and various skills tests throughout. Learners will also gain the ability to perceive how data is being presented to them with a more critical eye. All projects will be reviewed by a qualified assessor who will provide feedback and insights on assignments. 

Developing Cohesive and Effective Communication Campaigns will equip learners with the skills and strategies to plan, execute, and evaluate impactful communication campaigns. Learners will develop unified messaging that aligns with organizational goals and resonates across diverse platforms and audiences. The Micro emphasizes integrating strategic planning, and audience insights to create campaigns that drive engagement and achieve measurable outcomes. 

Please note:  This Micro Credential takes place through online scheduled sessions. please refer to the schedule for class dates and times.  

Developing Impactful Communications focuses on the art and science of crafting compelling narratives that resonate with target audiences. Learners will structure communications that evoke emotion, build connections, and convey key messages effectively. Learners will be taught how to tailor their communication to various platforms and purposes, from branding and marketing to advocacy. Practical exercises and real-world applications will be emphasized. 

Instructor Samantha Haslam  

Take your illustration skills to the next level and learn how to work in a digital environment. Using your own laptop or tablet and stylus, you will be led through projects that will help you develop a personal style and increase your creativity as you learn useful techniques along the way, whether you are interested in illustrations geared for editorial or book illustrations. Your instructor will give you lots of time to work, tips on your chosen program and valuable feedback throughout. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.   

Please Note: Start & End dates refer to open & closing of registration, NOT the start or end of a course. 

In this course, you'll be introduced to software used in digital animation: Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere, & Toon Boom Harmony.

Explore the differences between traditional, hand drawn, & digital animation. Learn to use each program on its own and with each other while practicing to use essential tools. Demonstrate mastery of basic skills and technical understanding through exciting projects and have your work evaluated by experts. 

About Micros:

• Register & start WHENEVER
• Self paced & learner driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish

Please Note: Start and end dates refer to open & closing of registration, not the start or end of the course.

Use drawing as a tool of communication as you explore the medium, with an emphasis on obtaining a visual understanding of mass, gesture, the human figure, weight, and balance. 

Work through conceptual, aesthetic, and technical approaches for your projects.

About Micros:

• Register and start whenever.
• Self-paced and learner-driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish

Instructor:  Kenzie Housego 

Build confidence and core drawing skills through a series of projects designed to sharpen your observation and strengthen your hand-eye coordination. You will focus on the essential elements of drawing—line, shape, value, and composition—and be introduced to a range of media and techniques. Through in class projects you will develop your perceptual abilities, gain a deeper understanding of how to see, interpret, and express the world around you through drawing. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.

Instructor: Maedeh Mosaverzadeh 

Build confidence and core drawing skills through a series of projects designed to sharpen your observation and strengthen your hand-eye coordination. You will focus on the essential elements of drawing—line, shape, value, and composition—and be introduced to a range of media and techniques. Through in class projects you will develop your perceptual abilities, gain a deeper understanding of how to see, interpret, and express the world around you through drawing. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

Please Note: Start and End dates refer to open and closing of registration, NOT the start or end dates of the course.

Effective Communication in Event Planning is designed for those working in roles that need competence in occasional event planning practices. In this Micro Credential, learners will explore the steps needed to develop an effective branding and communication strategy to attract a diverse and inclusive audience of event attendees.  

This competency-based Micro Credential focuses on specific skills and knowledge proficiency. It can take learners up to 24 hours to complete and demonstrate proficiency; however, learners with more developed competencies in this area might complete in a shorter period. 

This Effective Communication Through Narrative Micro Credential focuses on the art and science of crafting compelling narratives that resonate with target audiences. Learners will structure communications that evoke emotion, build connection, and convey key messages effectively. The Micro teaches learners how to tailor their communication to various platforms and purposes, from branding and marketing to advocacy. Practical exercises and real-world applications will be emphasized.  

Please Note: Start and End dates refer to open and closing of registration, NOT the start or end dates of the course.  

Engaging and Managing Event Partners is designed for those working in roles that need competence in occasional event planning practices. In this Micro Credential, learners will explore the steps needed to establish productive relationships between event teams and partners through an inspiring event planning culture.  

This competency-based Micro Credential focuses on specific skills and knowledge proficiency. It can take learners up to 24 hours to complete and demonstrate proficiency; however, learners with more developed competencies in this area might complete in a shorter period. 

Please Note: Start and end dates refer to open & close of registration, not the start or end of the course.

Examine professional projects and responsibilities animators may face in their practice, including CV and portfolio assembly, grant writing, project budgeting, and pitch packages.

Cover concepts like festival submissions, contracts, and concerns associated with starting an artistic practice in animation.  

About Micros

• Register and start whenever
• Self-paced and learner-driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to finish

Note: This course follows an online self-paced format, allowing you 12 weeks to complete all course content from the date of registration. Start/End dates posted are for internal purposes only. 

In this course, you'll build on your existing graphic design experience to expand on opportunities in entrepreneurship. Learners will focus on marketing, pricing strategy and execute projects for an effective and sustainable income. This course is designed to equip learners with the materials and tools to effectively run a design practice with hands-on practice that can help build a foundational client base. 

About Micros:

• Register and start WHENEVER
• Self paced and learner driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish

Please Note:  This Micro Credential takes place through online scheduled sessions, please refer to the schedule for class dates and times.  

This advanced course dives deep into the multifaceted world of generative AI, focusing on integrating AI across text, images, audio, and video to create innovative multimodal projects. Participants will explore sophisticated AI concepts such as neural networks, interactive content, and innovative tools for combining multiple data types into cohesive outputs. Through hands-on modules, learners will design and execute a capstone project that highlights their mastery of AI's creative and technical potential. 

PREREQUISITE: Previous drawing experience

Instructor: Kelly Isaak 

The human figure offers endless inspiration for artists at every level. Work from live models using a range of media to build hands-on studio experience. Develop your skills in gesture drawing, analytical study of form, and creating depth through light and shadow. Focus on mastering perspective, proportion, and diverse drawing techniques to bring the figure to life with accuracy and expression. Please see your course supply list online and come prepared for the first class.  

Please Note: This course is available for pre-registration and will officially launch on April 7, 2025

In this course, you will learn essential financial forecasting skills for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. Learners will develop sales and expense projections and create balance sheets tailored to their specific industry. You will receive practical examples and a customizable financial planning template for ongoing updates as business conditions evolve.  Prepare comprehensive financial forecasts, understand startup funding needs, and learn strategies for presenting robust financial plans to banks or investors. 

About Micros:

• Register and start WHENEVER
• Self paced and learner driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish

Please Note: Start & End dates refer to open & closing of registration, NOT the start or end of the course.

In this course, you'll learn and apply fundamental principles of animation. 

Learn to communicate personality, emotions, & behaviour through short motion assignments, while exploring conceptual, aesthetic, and technical approaches. 

Work in or out of the digital realm; however, all project post-production will be created using digital software. Create projects to demonstrate your mastery of foundational skills & principles, then have your work evaluated by experts. 

About Micros:

• Register and start WHENEVER
• Self paced and learner driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish

Please Note:  This Micro Credential takes place through online scheduled sessions, please refer to the schedule for class dates and times.  

Funding and Proposal Development explores diverse funding sources, including grants, donations, and sponsorships, and teaches strategic research techniques for identifying viable funding opportunities. Learners will gain practical skills in grant writing, proposal research and development, with an emphasis on having an impact on potential funders and growing community trust. The course incorporates real-world nonprofit case studies to contextualize learning and provides hands-on experience in creating a mini-proposal or grant application for a nonprofit initiative.   

This foundational course introduces learners to the principles of generative AI. Participants explore AI tools and techniques to generate basic outputs such as text and images, laying the groundwork for future innovation. Through hands-on practice, learners gain proficiency in tools like DALL-E, RunwayML and Tinkersynth, while engaging with key technical and ethical considerations in using AI. 

This foundational course introduces learners to the principles of generative AI. Participants explore AI tools and techniques to generate basic outputs such as text and images, laying the groundwork for future innovation. Through hands-on practice, learners gain proficiency in tools like DALL-E, RunwayML and Tinkersynth, while engaging with key technical and ethical considerations in using AI.