Graduate Certificate in Digital Design - Game Design

at George Brown College - Waterfront Campus Canada

Behavioural Science Technician is a two-year diploma program that provides students with an opportunity to study applied behaviour analysis (ABA). This field of study helps prepare you for work that is often related to developmental disabilities, brain injury, gerontology, and behavioural disorders. A common misconception about this program is that it involves teaching students counselling and "talk therapy." It does not.

The themes in the program include:

• Behavioural theory and application
• Program development
• Scientific method
• Ethics and professionalism
• Diversity
• General education with an emphasis on practical application in the field

The Honours Bachelor of Behaviour Analysis is a four-year degree program that takes an in-depth look at Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) – a field of study that uses a systematic and analytical approach to modify behaviour in a desirable way.

We have been providing training and education in applied behaviour analysis in Toronto for more than 15 years. Our graduates are leaders of behavioural treatment in fields as varied as forensic mental health, autism spectrum disorder, and acquired brain injury.

ABA is an effective practice that is often used with populations who have:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Brain injury
• Dementia
• Developmental disabilities
• Addiction
• Mental health disorders

What you will be studying:
Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to the treatment and understanding of human behaviour. This approach can be applied to the entire range of human behaviour (i.e., thoughts, feelings and actions). Research has shown that an evidence-based approach such as ABA is most effective at decreasing problem behaviour and developing a variety of skills.

The ABA approach involves three main components:

• Component 1: A complete behavioural assessment is conducted. A variety of interview and observational techniques are used to gain an understanding of the behaviour to be changed. Students learn how to observe and analyze behaviour in a variety of situations in order to develop an effective treatment strategy.
• Component 2: The next step is to use the results of the behavioural assessment to develop an effective plan that will reduce specific problem behaviours and develop or strengthen cognitive and behavioural skills. Students will learn a variety of behavioural and cognitive behavioural techniques that can be used to change behaviour.
• Component 3: The final phase is an ongoing evaluation of components one and two. Students will learn how to measure the effectiveness of their interventions, and continue to refine and revise their interventions based on the results of these measures.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Learn about psychological theory, research and practices.
  • Design and conduct various assessments across a variety of settings and populations.
  • Design and implement research-based programs in applied behaviour analysis and evaluate their effectiveness.
  • Practice behavioural consulting skills, with different populations.
  • Demonstrate appropriate social, professional, and clinical skills in the context of an interdisciplinary setting with a variety of clients, their support networks, professionals, and the community.
  • Maintain a high degree of professionalism and ethical standards.
  • Communicate, orally and in written form, results of behavioural assessments and treatment programs.
  • Understand, critically evaluate, and synthesize issues in society.

The Graphic Design program is an ideal training ground for the design profession. The program provides a strong overall understanding of design while also allowing you to select a major in either Communication Design, which prepares you for a corporate design career, or Advertising Design, which prepares you for a career at an advertising agency. In addition, design electives allow you to gain skills in areas such as illustration, motion, interaction, web, book and environmental design.

The first three semesters provide you with a strong foundation in the core subjects of design, typography, production, digital applications, drawing for design and design culture. In the fourth semester, you choose a major while continuing to develop applied skills through intensive studio projects. In the final year, you become involved in a thesis or major project, which allows for synthesis of skills. You will also engage in professional practice classes that prepare you for the workplace.

You learn through working on real-life projects in state-of-the-art labs and through industry networking. Students with an overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher by the end of semester 4 will be eligible for field placement.

Membership in the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario is included in your tuition, giving you access to a network of Canada’s top design professionals and a head start in the process of becoming a Registered Graphic Designer. The best student work will be displayed in annual exhibitions and a publication distributed to industry and the general public.

Your Field Education Options

• Students with an overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher by the end of Semester 4 and a B+ on the portfolio assignment (Semester 5) will be eligible for the Field Placement course (GRAF3017) in Semester 6.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Conceptualize and develop design solutions using principles of design to create visual communications that meet the needs of the project.
  • Employ the design process to create design solutions that meet the project objectives and the needs of the client and/or user.
  • Plan, create and use photography, illustration and typography in design layouts to meet the requirements of the creative brief.
  • Design, develop and create a variety of media products using relevant, current and/or emerging technologies.
  • Communicate ideas, design concepts and opinions clearly and persuasively to others.
  • Use recognized industry practices throughout the design process and related business tasks.
  • Plan, implement, and evaluate graphic design projects using project management skills to deliver quality work to clients according to schedule and within budget.
  • Complete all work in a professional and ethical manner, and in accordance with all applicable legislation and regulations.
  • Keep current with visual media design trends, technologies and industry practices using strategies that enhance work performance and guide professional development.

Health Information Management is a two-year diploma program (fully accredited by the Canadian Health Information Management Association) focused on providing the skills and knowledge needed by health information practitioners. It prepares graduates to participate in the collection and organization of health information.

Curriculum content emphasizes:-

• Biomedical sciences
• Health informatics
• Health record systems
• Medical classification systems and coding
• Data collection
• Statistical analysis and presentation
• Health-care legislation

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Keep current with relevant local, national and global health care and health information management issues, trends, technologies and standards to support health information management systems and processes and guide professional development.
• Assess personal health information from individual client visits for accuracy, completeness and consistency using knowledge of biomedical sciences, medical diagnoses and interventions, causes of diseases, and medical terminology, abbreviations and acronyms.
• Apply current, accurate codes and standards to relevant personal health information from individual client visits using health information, coding, classification and abstracting systems proficiently.
• Comply with the legal obligations, as well as with the professional, ethical and organizational standards that ensure privacy, security and confidentiality in the access, retention, storage and disposal of personal health information.
• Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of health information management practices, policies and processes to support client care, organizational goals, operations, and regulatory compliance.
• Participate in maintaining the completeness, accuracy, consistency, timeliness and integrity of health information throughout the management of its lifecycle.
• Use knowledge of systems interoperability standards, database architecture, software versioning, classification and terminology mapping, data collection requirements, legal obligations, and the health information management lifecycle, and apply fundamental project management principles and practices to support the procurement and implementation of health information management systems.
• Retrieve and release personal health information in response to legitimate requests, in accordance with statutory requirements, and within specified deadlines.
• Participate in the retrieval, analysis and presentation of relevant health information to stakeholders to support organizational decision-making, epidemiological studies and clinical research.
• Work professionally, ethically and collaboratively with stakeholders and as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team, within a structured, regulated and evolving system of health care, to enhance the collection, distribution, use, security and awareness of quality health information and its impact on client care.
• Use current and emerging technologies to support the management, analysis and presentation of health information.

The Dental Hygiene program prepares students to practice as primary oral health care providers. This three-year program focuses on developing interpersonal communication skills and professionalism while applying the dental hygiene process of care. Emphasis is placed on preparing students to function effectively within a collaborative relationship including the client, the community and other health-care providers.

The Dental Hygiene program prepares students to practice as primary oral health care providers.

This three-year program focuses on applying the dental hygiene process of care while developing interprofessionalism, client-centred care and interpersonal communication skills. Students have the opportunity to gain confidence in their learned skills while working with clients in our on-site WAVE Dental Clinic.

Emphasis is placed on preparing students to function effectively within a collaborative dental team that includes:

    the client
    the community
    other health care providers

Students and clients collaboratively evaluate care provided by delineating short-term and long-term goals and employing strategies for continued care.

The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination. (Note: Additional fees apply.) Successful completion is one of the requirements for registration by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) to practise in the province. Visti the CDHO website (A Guide to the Process of Being Registered as a Dental Hygienist in Ontario).

Video games have become one of the leading forms of artistic expression in the 21st century. Game development requires a combination of talents, hard work and passion. The Game - Art three-year advanced diploma is a rigorous program of study that focuses on the principles and techniques of video game art creation required to break into the industry.

Students will develop both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional artistic abilities by learning concept art, sprite and pixel art, modelling, texturing, animation and level design. Taught by faculty with industry experience and mentored by local game industry leaders, students will develop games for commercial, educational and other purposes.

Students will have the unique opportunity to develop commercial quality games in a simulated video game studio environment, at times working with industry partners and game programmers. In the second year, students choose whether to specialize in game modelling or game animation.

Prior to graduation, each student will assemble a portfolio/demo of their creative work demonstrating their ability in game development and highlighting their chosen area of specialization. It is anticipated that graduates of the Game Development program will find employment in the game industry at entry-level positions.

Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Analyze the differences in game genres in order to develop games that meet the needs of specific markets.
• Analyze the history of video games to compare various approaches to game development.
• Support the development of games by identifying and relating concepts from a range of industry roles – programming, design and art.
• Contribute as an individual and a member of a game development team to the effective completion of a game development project.
• Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the games industry.
• Perform all work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations, legislation, industry standards and codes of ethics.
• Develop pre-production and conceptual art for games and gaming through the selection and application of relevant design tools and drawing techniques
• Create original game assets to meet requirements outlined in game design documents and/or creative briefs
• Engage in original world building and level design within a range of game engines to meet industry and marketplace requirements
• Generate user interface design in alignment with Game Design Documents to optimize both the aesthetics and function of gameplay

The Honours Bachelor of Brand Design is a four-year degree program that responds to the rapidly changing world of graphic design by preparing students to be forward-looking brand designers with strengths in collaboration, research, critical and strategic thinking, technical design execution and brand storytelling. It is built on multidisciplinary pillars of research, critical thinking, strategic brand development, technical design execution and brand storytelling.

Brands are more than logos or sales tactics, they are carefully developed relationships between the brand makers and audiences – a brand is a promise to follow through on a purpose and a set of values that taken together express how someone perceives an organization or product. The Honours Bachelor of Brand Design degree is an opportunity to build a knowledgeable creative community of collaborators and strategic designers who are able to bridge business strategy, technology and the design world in order to produce innovative brand experiences.

Graduates of the Honours Bachelor of Brand Design degree program will have the analytical and technical skills to:

• Communicate and evolve the brand through the design of visual and physical, online and offline identities and experiences.
• Research to create and tailor designs that work across different touchpoints, generating dynamic, responsive, multi-sensory and personalized brand experiences for customers.
• Write, visualize and translate the brand story across these touchpoints and engage long-term with the emotions of audiences.
• Collaborate towards creative innovation with multidisciplinary teams.

This program responds to the dynamic and growing field of design, training learners to:

• Create streamlined brand messaging across numerous mediums and touchpoints that engages audiences.
• Understand new technology and be able to work across the old and new channels.
• Have strong writing skills and adapt to different situations, audiences and genres.
• Be flexible in that they are able to adapt to changing work and work environments (multiple sectors, services and products).
• Work collaboratively and bridge business and creative roles, by understanding the culture, processes, and language of the branding business.
• Utilize diverse and quantifiable research methodologies in the design process.
• Offer a diverse and customizable range of services to clients, particularly niche services (e.g. video and animation).
• Have the ability to compete on tender: put together a professional sales pitch while offering a competitive price.

Your Field Education Options

• Students must complete a 420-hour paid co-op work term in the spring/summer period between the third and fourth year.
• Students have the opportunity to complete this co-op domestically and/or internationally, as opportunities arise. The majority of co-op work terms are completed in the Greater Toronto Area, where the design sector is robust and the majority of interaction jobs are located.
• The School of Design Field Placement team works with many notable training partners, including agencies such as Publicis, K9 Strategy + Design, Trevor/Peter and Relish Interactive; larger, well-known brands such as Nelvana (Corus Entertainment), Rogers Media, Mozilla, Crayola and PUR Gum; and a variety of industry-relevant arts and design institutions, including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) and Applied Arts.
• The work term allows students to apply the skills, abilities and knowledge they've acquired in the program in a workplace environment or through an appropriate interaction design research project or initiative. Students gain valuable experience and the opportunity to reflect on the application of previous learning. A faculty member evaluates the student based on feedback provided by the employer.
• Students will develop a digital portfolio demonstrating artifacts completed during the co-op work term.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Use ideation techniques to generate innovative design solutions that respond to a creative brief.
  • Participate in a collaborative brand-building project to produce an outcome that meets the needs of the client.
  • Incorporate interdisciplinary theoretical approaches in the planning, production, and critique of design and strategy work.
  • Plan, conduct and apply research in order to contextualize and make informed design.
  • Assess the social, environmental, and economic impact of the design solution in order to prioritize sustainability issues in design practice.
  • Use the fundamental principles of branding to address the needs of the brand design and strategy for clients of various scale.
  • Design solutions in support of a brand strategy.
  • Communicate information, arguments, creative ideas, and brand stories persuasively, to a range of audiences, using a variety of verbal, visual, and written communication techniques.
  • Utilize professional practices and knowledge of the business of branding in all design and strategy work.

The Digital Design – Game Design program develops the production and design abilities of students in management scenarios through courses in design documentation, milestone and pipeline scheduling, game design theory and psychology. Taught by international faculty with industry experience and mentored by game industry leaders, students will learn how to design and develop games, not only for the entertainment market but also for serious gaming applications in health, education, construction, marketing and other sectors.

Students will have the unique opportunity to develop commercial quality games in a simulated video game studio environment, at times working with industry partners, game artists and programmers. The program offers a unique and intensive delivery structure in which the first two semesters are held in Milan, and the final semester is held in Toronto.

It is anticipated that graduates of this program will find employment in the game industry. Prior to graduation, each student will have assembled a portfolio/demo of their creative work demonstrating their ability in game design and highlighting their chosen area of specialization.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Design environment and characters using the principles of game design.
  • Read, analyze and create game design documents for effective game creation and management.
  • Create environments, objects and characters for integration within a video game.
  • Import game assets and levels into game engines to create appropriate high-end 3D game applications or engines.
  • Produce a 3D game using appropriate tools and game management techniques.
  • Create and produce digital components, games and documentation using a variety of computer platforms.
  • Prepare a variety of industry standard documents and prototypes in a skilled manner and demonstrate professional presentation and organizational skills.
  • Develop and present a working game design document for a marketable game.
  • Use an existing game engine to create a prototype game.
  • Evaluate different types of games and platforms and select the appropriate ones for a particular game strategy.
  • Present the game design prototype and document using innovative techniques as well as digital, verbal and written skills.
  • Manage the design and production process of a game prototype.

The Dental Technology program will prepare you to work in the field of dental technology. If you want to work in the dental industry but don’t necessarily want to engage directly with client care, consider this profession. We recommend that you have an eye for detail, enjoy working with your hands and have good hand/eye coordination.

We’ll teach you to use a variety of tools to create oral devices that are prescribed by regulated dental practitioners (often a dentist). You’ll learn how to use specialized hand tools, molds and the latest technology to make oral devices that are as unique as the individuals you will be creating them for. You’ll practice your skills in our on-site high-tech dental labs as we teach you to create:

• Full dentures
• Partial dentures
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Implant-regulated restorations
• Orthodontic appliances
• Other speciality items

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Apply learned theory of biology, biomechanics, chemistry, and anatomy in all relevant aspects of dental technology practice.
• Employ safe and aseptic procedures when using and maintaining equipment and materials associated with the dental technology profession.
• Select and utilize specified materials in the construction of dental prostheses, recognizing the materials’ limitations and advantages.
• Complete all work in the dental technology practice in adherence to the legislative and ethical requirements of the profession.
• Design and construct dental prostheses using current technologies and materials.
• Analyze and evaluate the design and construction of dental prostheses.
• Work and communicate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary health care team.
• Identify effective business practices in the management of a dental laboratory.

Office Administration – Health Services is a two-year diploma program that will prepare you to work effectively and efficiently in a health-care office environment. These often dynamic settings can require a broad range of skills, including both technical and soft or 'people' skills.

Some of the practical and technical skills include:

• Computer applications and software
• Medical terminology and anatomy
• Transcription
• Administrative and clinical office procedures
• Billing for medical office settings
• Health-care law

We'll also prepare you to communicate effectively in a medical office environment by teaching you best practices with respect to:

• Active listening
• Effective writing for business communication
• Oral communication skills

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Conduct oneself professionally and adhere to relevant legislation, standards and codes of ethics.
  • Manage the scheduling, coordination and organization of administrative tasks and workflow within specific deadlines and according to set priorities.
  • Coordinate the collection, analysis, distribution and response to communications in the workplace to facilitate the flow of information.
  • Operate and provide support to others related to the use of office equipment and technologies.
  • Evaluate, establish and administer health records management systems to ensure confidential, secure, accessible and organized electronic and paper records.
  • Produce financial and client billing records for health services by compiling relevant information and using accounting software.
  • Produce health documents and reports using available technologies and applying industry standards.
  • Use interpersonal and client service skills to respond to the diverse needs of clients, their family members and the health care team.
  • Identify and use non-invasive clinical tasks to support effective and efficient health service operations.