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Art & Design

Graphic Design

Online Certificate, post-baccalaureate program

Expand your visual design skills and processes.

Are you looking to integrate perceptual, conceptual and technical skills into your graphic design or related career? In this 18-credit fully online certificate program in Graphic Design you will learn about studio habits, image-making, visual research, typography and the history of modern design that will help you create cohesive, customer-facing design solutions. With a bachelor's degree already under your belt, this certificate was created with working professionals and recent graduates like you in mind. Spanning both screen and print technologies, the program prepares you to go further in graphic design and related fields.

Become familiar with the language, skills, processes, and methods that are the foundation for all design work. Develop your thinking and designing habits as you explore visual objects and their meaning. Examine the history of design and how different industries impact one another, gaining a deeper understanding of the similarities that all design professionals share.

Expand your study to typography and its fundamental presentation, progressing to more complex bodies of text across print and digital mediums. Find your typographic voice to give language and structure to your vision and message. Throughout the program, you'll identify the practical and conceptual problems of visual communication, helping you evolve as a graphic designer and visual problem solver.

Online Art & Design Certificate Inquiry Form

Program Structure

100% Online

18 Credits, Accelerated 8-Week Terms
  • Prerequisites
    • A bachelor's degree is required for this certificate program.
  • Required Courses 18 Credits
    • Course Name & Number:

      Language of Design (IDESN 1270)
      Typography I (IDESN 2220)
      Typography II (IDESN 3200)
      Typography III (IDESN 3210)
      Visual Communication I (IDESN 3510)
      History of Modern Design (IAHIS 2100)
  • Approximate Time to Complete
    • Part-time example: Take a 3-credit course/8-week term for 6 terms (3 semesters). Complete in 1 year.

      Work with your online advisor to make sure your timeline stays on track.
View Program of Study
What are the benefits of an online program?

When you earn your certificate online, you have the flexibility to study when and where you want. You’ll learn in a virtual community that supports you, with interactive elements like chats and discussion forums that keep you connected. With access to the latest online learning tools and educational resources, you can be sure you’re getting everything a Lesley education has to offer.

Student Work

Launch Gallery
Gallery: BFA Graphic Design Work : Graphic design is about visual communication in all media and at many levels. Students explore the working methods of graphic design through course assignments and projects. Such methods include: visual research, conceptual development, iteration, prototyping, storytelling, and production.
brand mock up on bus stops and large billboards
Slide 1 of 8
Yerri Portillo
Graphic Design | Class of 2019
brand mock up on various shwag
Slide 2 of 8
Yerri Portillo
Graphic Design | Class of 2019
mock record label with dead flowers on a black background
Slide 3 of 8
Meredith Wilson
Type II Class Assignment, Record label front
mock record label with dead flowers on a black backround
Slide 4 of 8
Meredith Wilson
Type II Class Assignment, Record label back
mock record label with dead flowers on a white and black background
Slide 5 of 8
Meredith Wilson
Type II Class Assignment, Record label
magazine cover with black and orange imagery
Slide 6 of 8
Raine Ferrin
Graphic Design | Class of 2019
table of contents page spread with orange and black text
Slide 7 of 8
Raine Ferrin
magazine spread with gray image and orange header text
Slide 8 of 8
Raine Ferrin
brand mock up on bus stops and large billboards
Slide 1 of 8
Yerri Portillo
Graphic Design | Class of 2019
brand mock up on various shwag
Slide 2 of 8
Yerri Portillo
Graphic Design | Class of 2019
mock record label with dead flowers on a black background
Slide 3 of 8
Meredith Wilson
Type II Class Assignment, Record label front
mock record label with dead flowers on a black backround
Slide 4 of 8
Meredith Wilson
Type II Class Assignment, Record label back
mock record label with dead flowers on a white and black background
Slide 5 of 8
Meredith Wilson
Type II Class Assignment, Record label
magazine cover with black and orange imagery
Slide 6 of 8
Raine Ferrin
Graphic Design | Class of 2019
table of contents page spread with orange and black text
Slide 7 of 8
Raine Ferrin
magazine spread with gray image and orange header text
Slide 8 of 8
Raine Ferrin
Sarah jumps for joy infront of store sign on side of road
Graphic Design

Sarah Rubenstein: The Artisan Snack Expert

Design alumna Sarah Rubenstein '12 started her own business for artists and designers that shows up at their door every month. Sarah combined her love of shopping and her online business knowledge to create ArtSnacks. Each month, subscribers receive a box of hand-picked art supplies in the mail. Business is doing well. Sarah and her business partner/brother Lee were able to quit their full-time jobs and focus all of their creative energy on the company.

Read More
people gathered in gallery looking at paintings

College of Art & Design

Founded in 1912 as the School of Practical Arts, and known for more than four decades as the Art Institute of Boston, we've educated artists and designers for 100+ years.
Learn more about Lesley's College of Art & Design.
Art & Design
College of Art and Design Online Design Certificates
Graphic Design
Web Design
User Experience
See more art and design programs
round table of students with computers

Register for an Online Course

Interested in taking a course or two before deciding if this program is right for you? We have courses starting every eight weeks.
Register Today
Subbrand mark for the college of art and design

College of Art and Design unveils visual identity

Undergraduate design students collaborated to create a sub-brand for the College of Art and Design
Read more about LA+D's brand identity.
Art & Design
Whether you love print design, have a passion for digital and interactive design, or want to focus on user experience, we have design programs for you. The College of Art and Design offers three majors in design:
Graphic Design
Interactive Design
Design for User Experience Online
All Art & Design Programs
student with service dog walking by student mailboxes

Mapping Lesley with the User in Mind

Junior design students team up with Threshold students for an assignment that reaches beyond the classroom.
Learn more about mapping Lesley.
Alumni Satisfaction
Ranked #20

by alumni

According to a survey published in Forbes, Lesley ranks #20 nationwide for providing a high-quality education that is worth the cost.
View the survey results.
Careers
Careers in Graphic Design
Professional opportunities in design are expanding, and Lesley is a great place to start or advance your career. This online post-baccalaureate certificate supports the expansion of all working professionals looking to grow into these types of roles:
  • Graphic Designer
  • Visual Designer
  • Production Artist
  • Art Director
  • Creative Director
Communicate Visually. Make Meaning.
Master
  • Design Principles and Practices
  • Typography
  • Hierarchy and Structure
  • Visual Communication
Create
  • Visual Design Solutions
  • Typographic Styles
  • Visual Metaphors, Symbols and Iconography
  • Identity Systems
  • Brand Campaigns

Faculty

headshot of George Restrepo
George Restrepo
Adjunct Faculty
Headshot of Design Adjunct Faculty member Ben Spear
Ben Spear
Adjunct Faculty
Bryan Rodrigues
Adjunct Faculty
headshot of George Restrepo

George Restrepo

Adjunct Faculty

George Restrepo is a Boston-based designer and educator with more than 20 years of experience working with and within academia, the arts, culture, current events, food, music, natural history and travel.

George specializes in branding, environmental design, books, and publications. He has taught at Emerson College, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Northeastern University and Simmons College.

Read Full Bio
Awards,
Studio Affiliations
Headshot of Design Adjunct Faculty member Ben Spear

Ben Spear

Adjunct Faculty

Ben Spear (pronouns He/Him/His) is a transformative design leader with 20 years of experience in team building and development, scaling design, brand strategy, design education, user research, UX/UI, and production. He is a servant leader and a true believer in the power of design to improve the world and ourselves.   

Read Full Bio
Client Work ,
Personal Website

Bryan Rodrigues

Adjunct Faculty

Bryan Rodrigues is a state certified professional teacher and a 2004 graduate of RISD/Fraunhofer International Certificate Program for New Media. He has been teaching graphic design and technology courses for the Rhode Island School of Design since 2001 and web and interaction design courses for Lesley University since 2016.

Read Full Bio
Total approximate cost for this certificate program.
Graphic Design
Estimated Cost

Review all undergraduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Answer a quick question to get your customized application guide.

View apply guide
View Full Program Cost
Total approximate cost for this online certificate program. Tuition and fees are for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Financial Aid
We are committed to providing you with opportunities to support your academic goals. Federal aid and a variety of other options can help make your education more affordable.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Answer a quick question to get your customized application guide.

Apply Now
29 Everett St, Cambridge, MA 02138
617.868.9600