Create visually compelling, brand-aligned content that resonates with modern audiences. This hands-on course will show you how to use industry-standard tools such as Photoshop, Canva, CapCut, and Premiere Pro to produce everything from Reels to slide decks and podcasts to ad campaigns. You’ll learn how to leverage AI features to work smarter and faster as you design, edit, and deliver professional-quality content that drives impact. Whether for social, digital, or print, your portfolio-ready skills will shine across every platform.
AI Enhanced
This course has been updated to include the latest AI tools & industry insights
COURSE LENGTH:
COURSE STRUCTURE:
- From Visual Concept To Delivery: Composing Effective Digital Images
- Using Adobe Photoshop Part 1: Creative Images
- Using Adobe Photoshop Part 2: Creative AI
- Using Canva Part 1: Creating Engaging Social Media Visuals
- Using Canva Part 2: Creating Effective Brand Kits & AI for Brand Voice
- Using Canva Part 3: Creative AI & Magic Design
- Using Canva Part 4: Creative Presentations, Brochure Websites & Video
- Using CapCut: Quick Video Creation & Editing For Social Media Platforms
- Using Premiere Pro Part 1: Introduction To Professional Video Editing For Digital Marketing Outlets
- Using Premiere Pro Part 2: Creating 'Talking Head' Multi-cam Interviews With B-Roll Integration
- Using Premiere Pro Part 3: Creating Professional Marketing Videos
- Animating Stills, Vlogging & Podcasting: Environment, Equipment, Software & File Storage
STUDY OPTIONS:
Part Time
1 x 3 hour live online evening class per week over 12 weeks
SUMMARY:
This course will give you a comprehensive, practical understanding of digital media design, from creating eye-catching visuals to producing professional-grade videos. You’ll master tools like Adobe Photoshop for image manipulation, Canva for quick and slick social media content, and Premiere Pro for advanced video editing. You’ll create social media ads, brand kits, and AI-driven designs, and explore essential techniques like lighting for photography, creating short-form videos, and even setting up your own podcast or vlogging studio.
With live, interactive lessons and hands-on exercises, you’ll be guided through each tool while creating media assets you can add to your portfolio. You’ll receive personal feedback and support in small class settings, ensuring that you not only understand the concepts but can apply them to real-world projects. Whether you’re working with AI-powered design tools or building your first video campaign, you’ll get the guidance you need to develop your unique creative style.
This course will transform you into a confident content creator with the ability to craft professional, attention-grabbing visual content for any platform. You'll walk away with a sharpened creative eye and the confidence to take on exciting projects - whether you're starting your own business, enhancing your personal brand, or moving into the digital marketing and design industries. Your deep toolkit of design skills will ensure you’re ready to breathe life into anything from banner ads to promotional videos, from logos to infographics to custom icons.
Learners taking part in this course will now have access to the EBSCO Online Library, free of charge, for the full duration of the course. Here you can browse thousands of relevant journal articles and other reliable academic and commercial texts like the Harvard Business Review, Bloomberg Business week and Forbes Magazine, to supplement your learning and assignments.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:
This course will equip you with practical, in-demand skills that bridge the gap between content creation and digital marketing. By mastering well-known tools like Adobe Photoshop, Canva, CapCut, and Adobe Premiere Pro, you’ll be able to produce professional-grade visuals, videos, and social media content that stand out. Whether you're looking to boost your current career, transition into digital design, or expand your brand's online presence, the practical experience and portfolio-ready projects will give you the confidence to take on exciting new opportunities in the creative and marketing industries.
ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION
This course is assessed through three assignments. For the first, you will create a photo montage poster using Adobe Photoshop, applying image editing and AI-enhanced effects (worth 25% of your final grade). Your second assignment is to design a set of social media advertisements using Canva, applying branding principles and creative techniques (also worth 25%). Submission deadline for both of these assignments is week 10 of the course. Your main assessment (worth 50%) is due after the end of the course and involves creating a one-minute branded video using Adobe Premiere Pro, showcasing video editing, scripting, and professional production techniques.
Your UCD Professional Academy Diploma will be issued electronically on a secure platform, with a link that you can share with employers and others wishing to verify your credentials. You’ll also be able to add the certification to your LinkedIn profile to demonstrate your achievement to your network as well as recruiters and potential employers searching for individuals with your skills and experience.
This course is not on the National Framework of Qualifications.
LEARNER PROFILE:
This course is perfect for anyone eager to create eye-catching content, whether you’re a social media enthusiast, a marketing professional, or a budding digital creator. If you’re looking to build skills in visual design, video editing, and AI-enhanced content, you’ll feel right at home. Perfectly suited to professionals working in adjacent fields such as marketing, branding, or ecommerce and wanting to understand how to channel their creativity into creating top quality visual content. With its focus on hands-on design skills, this course does not cover the more theoretical or strategic areas of marketing, social media management, branding, etc.
