Overview
This Digital Media Foundations associate certificate provides you with an introductory foundation in digital media – both the technology and the key applications that contribute to the creation of digital content. Digital media skills are increasingly in demand as businesses pivot to reach customers online and engage with them across a variety of applications and in new and innovative ways.
With the Digital Media Foundations program, you’ll develop core knowledge and skills related to cross-platform design, digital asset creation, optimization, layout, and user interface design. You’ll acquire practice-based skills in design fundamentals, image composition, asset design, vector graphics, and digital project management.
Students will generate creative, user-friendly digital assets and web design for interactive application environments, and will develop collaboration and teamwork skills that are critical for success in the technology and creative industries.
About the program
- Complete five courses specific to digital media design and creation
- Explore fundamental design principles for web and mobile applications
- Develop digital media production skills for web and mobile applications
- Benefit from industry instructors, with real-world experience
- Take advantage of flexible training through part-time studies
Who should complete the Associate Certificate in Digital Media Foundations?
This program might be right for you if:
- You’re new to digital media and want to explore the field.
- You want to advance your career and position yourself as a digital media designer
- You want to add core skills in digital media design and development to your previous education and experience in graphic/communication design, marketing, IT, or computer science.
- You’re a creative professional with a basic understanding of digital media and want to build your understanding of the full spectrum of digital media methodologies, cross-platform technologies, application design, and research and design lifecycles used in the digital asset production process.
Begin your training in Digital Media design by visiting the Program Entry page and the Courses page.
Entrance Requirements
About Part-time Studies
Take a single course, or work towards a credential — all at a pace that’s right for you.
Part-time courses are offered in a variety of scheduling formats, including at night or on weekends, flexible day time delivery, or you can opt for distance or online learning. If you meet the prerequisites and there’s space available, you can register for a course immediately. Courses are offered in each of three terms: Fall (September), Winter (January), and Spring/Summer (April).
To apply to a Part-time Studies program and earn your credential, you simply need to complete a Part-time Program Declaration Request. Applications are processed throughout the year.
Application processing
Note: This program is currently under review and is not accepting program declarations at this time. Please check back for updates to program delivery and matrix. For more information, please contact Karen Harvey.
Entrance requirements
Declarations submitted for program intakes beginning April 1, 2025 or later will be evaluated using the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement below.
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
International applicants
This program is not available to international students. View available programs
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information.
Books & supplies
We recommend that students in the Digital Media Foundations program have a MAC notebook or Windows PC. Costs for a computer will vary depending on the configuration chosen. Please see below for specifications.
| System Requirements for Digital Media Foundations | |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later or Apple® macOS® 10.13, 10.14 or later (64-bit Intel-based) |
| Processor | 64-bit Intel® or AMD® multi-core processor with SSE4.2 instruction set |
| Memory | 8 GB minimum, 16 GB or higher recommended (32 GB for 4K media or higher) |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 or equivalent; Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 or
Quadro T1000 is recommended. or AMD Radeon Pro 555X or higher or Intel UHD Graphics 630 or higher |
| Storage | 250GB SSD or higher |
| Monitor | 1920 x 1080 or better |
| Internet | Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services. |
Courses
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
| Required courses: | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MDIA 1106 | Design 1 | 3.0 | |
| MDIA 2003 | Project 1 | 4.0 | |
| MDIA 2536 | Interface Design Usability | 3.0 | |
| MDIA 3165 | Vector Graphics | 4.0 | |
| Complete either MDIA 2190 or MDIA 1180 and MIDA 2180 | |||
| MDIA 2190 | Photoshop | 3.0 | |
| or | |||
| MDIA 1180 | Adobe Photoshop 1 | 1.5 | |
| MDIA 2180 | Adobe Photoshop 2 | 1.5 | |
| Total Credits: | 17.0 | ||
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
The Digital Media Foundations program introduces students to the concept of digital content and the fundamentals behind the design and creation of digital assets and graphics. Students learn about content management systems, asset optimization, and launching a website. By the end of this program, students will be able to create a basic Content Management System website with proper layout design and optimized assets, while following the rules and guidelines related to user interfaces and user interactions.
Graduates of Digital Media Foundations associate certificate will be able to:
- Discuss the importance of fundamental design principles for web and mobile applications (screen size, colour, typography, and responsiveness).
- Develop digital projects for web and mobile interfaces by applying basic design principles.
- Design layouts and create visual assets for a collaborative web or mobile project.
- Recognize the differences between good and bad interactive design.
- Design an interface that provides simple, direct feedback.
- Import, edit and optimize images for web.
- Produce vector graphics using different drawing modes, including draw inside and draw behind modes.
- Create fully controllable variable-width strokes, arrowheads, dashes and art brush scaling along a path.
- Apply the principles of design in cross-platform applications.
- Assess website messaging so that it meets the client’s needs.
- Apply the principles of design within a CMS platform to create a website.
- Apply team-building strategies and leadership.
- Collaborate with team members on developing digital assets and web design.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
Graduating & Jobs
The Digital Media Foundations program provides the essential knowledge and fundamental training required for an entry-level career opportunity in digital media design, computer graphics, and user interface design.
Digital media designers work closely with web designers and developers, mobile designers, content managers, information architects, and project/product managers. Tasks may include researching the industry for design trends and user requirements, and communicating with clients throughout the process, as well as designing layout, navigation process, workflow, logos, and graphic assets for cross-platform applications
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
Contact Us
Aimee Chung
Flexible Learning Coordinator – Digital Arts, Media and Design
Contact a Flexible Learning Program Advisor with the BCIT program name in the subject line if you have a question about:
- Course selection and program planning
- Declaring your program
- Making changes to your approved program plan
- Applying for transfer credit and advanced placement
- Laddering options
- Job placement and graduate outcomes
- Student life
Questions or comments?
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