Certificate Programs at the School of Visual Concepts
Updated July 2015
Updated July 2016
| We’ve been helping make smarter communicators for 45 years.
Back before people had even heard of portfolio schools or things
like the web and UX training, SVC was preparing people for careers
in design, marketing communications and advertising.Then, as now,
the secret to our success — and ultimately our students’ success
— is having top working pros lead our classes. That way you know
the skills you’re learning are current, correct, and exactly what
hiring managers are looking for.
Certificate Programs at the School of Visual Concepts:
User Experience
Coming in 2017
Visual Design for the WebContent WritingFront End Web Development
Instructor Brandon Geary
Director of Strategy
POSSIBLE
| SVC instruction is provided by a faculty of top working pros.Our instructors are from top agencies, top brands, and top of the org
charts. Many of them have served in leadership positions of
professional organizations, such as the AIGA and American
Advertising Federation.
When you take a class with instructors like these, you’ll not only learn
what’s current, you’ll also make connections that can come in very
handy at job-hunting time. That’s a bonus that’s hard to get from less-
experienced instructors or teachers you barely meet in online classes.
Amy Balliett Founder
Killer Infographics
Tracy Wong Founder & CD WONGDOODY
Matt Diefenbach Co-Founder
Turnstyle Design
Jeff Barlow Creative Manager
Starbucks Global Creative
Devin Liddell Principal Brand Strategist
Teague
Hillary Miller VP, Account Strategy
Hydrogen
Stanley Hainsworth Founder Tether
Jim Copacino Founder
Copacino+Fujikado
Ben Steele Executive CD
REI
Kevin Wick Creative Director
Frog
Ted Leonhardt Founder
The Leonhardt Group
Fiona Remley VP, Dir. of Program Mgmt.
Wunderman
| The advantages of a certificate program from SVC:
> Your instruction will come from top working pros — people
who know their stuff and have excellent industry connections.
> You’ll receive guidance from an industry professional who
will serve as your mentor — an extra level of instruction and
counsel not available to non-program students.> You can take one professional development workshop per
quarter at no charge while going for your certificate.
> You’ll work on assignments for actual clients. While we
can’t promise this 100% of the time, we’ll do our best to give you
the experience of working for real clients. Sometimes the
assignments will be hypothetical, and sometimes they’ll be
intended for use, but they’ll always simulate “real world” life.> You can still have a life, learning while you continue to
work since most SVC classes are taught in the evening.
Instructor Tracy Wong
Founder and CD
WONGDOODY
| How do certificate programs at SVC work?1. To sign up for a certificate program, fill out the application form
at http://bit.ly/1RliiIa.
2. When SVC receives your application, we’ll set up an in-person
or phone interview to confirm that you’ve chosen the right
program, discuss advanced placement, and answer any of your
questions.
3. Upon completion of all your classes, your advisor/mentor will
review your portfolio and/or coursework to verify that you have
successfully earned a certificate of completion and competency.
4. If your tuition is paid in full, you’ll receive a paper certificate of
completion, as well as a digital one from Mozilla Open Badges.
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| SVC Certificate Program FAQ
1. I’m interested. How do I get started?Fill out an online application here and then we’ll get in touch
with you to set up an in-person, phone, or Skype interview so
we can place you in the proper program and discuss any
advanced placement opportunities. There is a one-time non-
refundable $100 registration fee you will be required to pay
after your application is accepted.
2. Is this a full-time program?No. The vast majority of classes meet at night from 6:30 to
9:30 p.m. Classes are held in the evening so students can
keep their day jobs and still have a life.
3. When do programs and classes start?It’s ideal if you start a program during fall quarter, but you can
get started at any time. You’ll want to sit down with your SVC
program advisor to work out course tracks for students
starting during winter, spring, or summer quarters.
4. What are the requirements for attendance?Students need to attend at least 80% of the course sessions
or they will be dropped from the program and given whatever
refund applies at that time.
5. Is financing available?SVC can provide you with a list of third-party loan providers.
6. Can I get permission to waive a course if I already
know the material?Yes. When you conduct your interview for admission to the
program, we’ll help you determine if you can skip any classes
based on your previous instruction or work experience. Your
tuition will be reduced by a pro-rated share.
7. Do you provide job placement services?While SVC doesn’t have an official job placement service,
every student will be mentored by an industry professional.
You will be able to take advantage of your mentor’s contacts
and mentors will provide specific assistance in networking
and job hunting. SVC also publishes an online listing of open
jobs on our website.
8. Are professional organization discounts (AIGA, AAF,
PSAMA, etc.) valid for the certificate program?No. But you will be permitted to take one daytime
professional development workshop at SVC at no charge
during each quarter you’re enrolled in a certificate program.
9. When is tuition due?A $100 registration fee is due upon acceptance into the
program. Then the first 50% of the tuition is due before the
first day of class. The remaining 50% is due at the mid-point
of your program.
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| SVC Certificate Program FAQ
10.What if I cannot finish the program?The State of Washington spells out the exact refund policies
for schools like ours, and here are the details:
You may receive a partial refund of your tuition if you drop a
class or your enrollment is terminated by SVC due to lack of
progress or disciplinary problems. In these cases, this is the
schedule for determining the amount of your refund:
a. SVC will refund all money paid if the student is not
accepted. This includes instances where a class is
cancelled by the school.
b. SVC will refund all the money paid if the student cancels
within five business days (excluding Sundays and holidays)
after registration and/or an initial payment is made, as
long as the student has not begun training.
c. SVC will retain the established $100 registration fee if the
student cancels after the fifth business day after
registration and/or making an initial payment.
d. If training is terminated after the student enters classes,
SVC may retain the registration fee established under (c.)
of this subsection, plus a percentage of the total tuition as
described in the following table:
5-WEEK CLASSES
10-WEEK CLASSES
When calculating refunds, the official date of a student’s termination is the last day of
recorded attendance:(a) When the school receives notice of the student's intention to discontinue the
training program; or,
(b) When the student is terminated for a violation of a published school policy which
provides for termination; or,
(c) When a student, without notice, fails to attend classes for thirty calendar days.
All refunds must be paid within thirty calendar days of the student’s official
termination date.
# of Classes Attended % Tuition Refunded
0 100%
1 75%
2 50%
3+ 0%
# of Classes Attended % Tuition Refunded
0 100%1 90%2 75%
3-5 50%6+ 0%
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| User Experience Certificate Program
Program HighlightsThis program will prepare you for entering the field of user
experience as a strategist, designer, or program manager. You’ll
learn:
> Fundamentals of UX> Principles and methods of user research> Approach to information architecture
> Prototyping methods and tools> Usability testing and metrics> Basics of HTML and CSSWho Should Apply?Developers, designers, project managers, content creators, and
career changers who want to understand the principles, best
practices, processes and tools of user experience, and then develop
a portfolio to use in job searches.
How Long Does it Take?40 Weeks, if all classes are taken sequentially30 Weeks, if some classes are taken concurrentlyIs Advanced Placement Possible?
Yes. When you have your initial interview with your SVC certificate
program advisor, we’ll let you know if your previous course work or
practical experience entitles you to jump ahead on your course
track.
What Does it Cost?
$4,860 plus $100 registration fee
When is Tuition Due?A $100 registration fee is due upon acceptance into the program.
Then the first 50% of the tuition is due before the first day of class.
The remaining 50% is due at the mid-point of your program.
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| User Experience Certificate ProgramCourse TracksThis track typically starts fall quarter, but is also available for start
during other quarters. Students can take some classes concurrently
if they would like to finish the program in less time. Please ask your
SVC certificate program advisor for specifics.
Duration40 Weeks, if all classes are taken sequentially30 Weeks, if some classes are taken concurrentlyTuition$4,860 plus $100 registration fee
Fundamentals of UXFall, Winter, Spring, SummerWhat is UX; Why it Matters?
Core Principles of UX
Research OverviewPersonas and ScenariosUser Flows
Sketching and Storyboarding> UX Process Project
User ResearchFall, SpringContextual ObservationUser Interviews/Diary StudiesSurveys and Focus Groups
Card Sorts> Card Sort Project> Research Project
HTML & CSS - Level 1Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
TerminologyPage Structure
Basic Markup
Principles of CSS
DebuggingThe Dev Process
5-Week Class: Weeks 1-5
Info ArchitectureWinter
Ideation and BrainstormingCard Sort ReviewTaxonomies and Hierarchies
Navigation
Search
> Wireframe Project
> Low-Fi Prototype Project
Prototyping & TestingWinter
Prototyping MethodologiesWorking w/ Devs & Designers
Metrics for Success
Usability Testing> High-Fi Prototype Project
> Usability Test Project
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User Experience Mentorship - Minimum of one meeting per quarter with a top UX professional who will monitor your progress, suggest additional learning
resources, and assist you with industry networking.
Capstone ProjectSpringYou’ll develop a completeUX recommendation for a
real client using all
the skills gained in your
prior classes.
> Demo Project
5-Week Class: Weeks 6-10
5-Week Class: Weeks 1-5
Design & Prototyping ToolsFall, SpringAxure RPSketchOverview of alternative
prototyping tools
5-Week Class: Weeks 6-10
5-Week Class: Weeks 11-15 5-Week Class: Weeks 16-20 10-Week Class: Weeks 21-30
| UX: Fundamentals of User Experience
Order in UX Course Track: 1IntroductionAnyone who has ever been frustrated when they’re unable to easily
get something accomplished with an app or website (Ticketmaster,
we’re talking to you) has been a victim of a poor user experience.
Bad UX can cause the loss of a sale and, over time, it can erode
positive feelings a brand has been able to build (iTunes, we’re
talking to you). In a time when people expect a higher level of
service, utility, and enjoyment from their digital experiences, great
UX is more necessary than ever.DescriptionDesigning successful user experiences requires research,
teamwork, creative thinking, evaluation and iteration — exactly the
same methodologies that we’ll practice during this course. The goal
will be to give you experience working in collaborative teams, and
to develop an ability to apply UX fundamentals to your current and
future work. Each class session will include a lecture, a group
exercise, and a take-home activity as we emphasize hands-on
experience to help you master these topics:
> The purpose, theories, and processes of user experience
> Research and analysis
> Ideation and concept exploration
> Wireframes and Rapid Prototyping
> Usability Evaluation
> Becoming an advocate for user-centered design
Prerequisites
None
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| UX: User Research052016
Order in UX Course Track: 2
IntroductionIt’s hard to believe that there was once a time not so distant when
companies developed products, launched them into the
marketplace and then learned if customers would understand and
accept them. Now, thankfully, talking to prospective users comes
first so as many bugs as possible can be worked out in advance to
improve user satisfaction and the products’ chances for success. DescriptionUser research has become an essential skill in the user experience
discipline, as it helps us understand how real people use and
interact with our design solutions — and it also overcome our own
biases by letting us hear and observe people who aren’t like us. So,
in this class, we’ll investigate the many forms of user research,
understand their strengths and advantages, and experiment with
different research methodologies to get a first-hand feel for the art
and science of user research as we cover these topics and more:
> The role of research in the product development cycle
> Qualitative vs. quantitative and strategic vs. tactical research
> Heuristic evaluations and audits
> Conducting a competitor analysis
> Presenting your research findings
> Methods for card sorts and contextual interviews
Please note: This course does not cover usability testing in any
depth. That topic is covered extensively in the five-week course,
Prototyping and Testing.
Prerequisites
Must have taken Fundamentals of UX or by permission.
| UX: Information Architecture
Order in UX Course Track: 3IntroductionIt’s hard to argue that one part of user experience is more important
than another, but if the information architecture, or organization, of
a website or application is off-base, users aren’t going to find what
they’re looking for or accomplish what they came to your site or app
to do. Avoiding misfires, frustrated customers, and helping our
companies and clients get the best return on their digital
investments is what this class is all about.DescriptionThis class is about bringing logic, consistency, and order to the
sometimes many-headed beasts that are today’s websites and
apps. We’ll start by taking an in-depth look at these six components
of information architecture: structure, organization schemes,
labeling, search, navigation, and taxonomy/metadata. Then we’ll
give you the tools for evaluating IA using structural diagrams,
wireframes and low-fidelity prototypes to ensure that your
architecture makes sense and works for your site or app’s users.
We’ll also cover these points over the five weeks of the class:
> Essential logic and concepts you need to create useful, usable
architecture and experiences
> Understanding structured data and content
> Learn what kind of structures makes the most sense for user
and business goals
> Pros and cons of different types of organization schemes
> Designing search and logical taxonomies so information can be
easily found
> Documenting architecture via structural diagrams, site maps,
and content inventories
Prerequisites
Must have taken Fundamentals of UX and User Research or by
permission.
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| UX: Prototyping and Testing
Order in UX Course Track: 4IntroductionLet’s assume for a moment that you’ve come up with an incredible
idea for an app or website. It can’t miss. And yet, many do simply
because assumptions we make about how easy our design is to use
are completely lost on the consumer. The safety net in this phase of
introducing a new product, app, or site is the ability to make a
prototype that’s very close to the real thing and then ask potential
users to put it through its paces.DescriptionThe beauty of prototyping — especially today with the abundance
of tools available — is that it allows you to see quickly and cost-
effectively if there are major usability flaws in your design. So, in
this class, we’ll investigate methods for getting design insight as
early in the process as possible while covering these topics:
> Using low-fidelity, pen-and-paper prototyping to catch issues
and iterate
> Tools and materials for creating low- and high-fidelity
prototypes
> Testing prototypes vs. live products
> Working with developers in the creation of prototypes
> Usability testing best practices> Setting your metrics and reporting results
Prerequisites
Must have taken Fundamentals of UX, User Research, Information
Architecture or by permission
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| UX: Capstone ProjectOrder in UX Course Track: 5
IntroductionIt’s one thing to learn the parts and pieces that make up an area of
study, and quite another to put them all together in a coherent and
integrated application. In addition to creating a project with a broad
start-to-finish scope, the User Experience Capstone Project also
gives learners the opportunity to practice their skills at interviewing
clients, developing and making presentations, and — hopefully —
experiencing the final step of acceptance and success.
DescriptionThe 10-week Capstone Project in the User Experience certificate
program isn’t a class, in the sense of lectures, discussion, and
homework. Instead, you’ll work with a commercial enterprise, a
nonprofit or a community organization to help them solve a real
world problem with their website or other digital property. You’ll
work closely with your Capstone Project advisor, who will be a top
working professional from the user experience profession.
Whenever possible, your project will not be hypothetical or a
demonstration, but will be put into use by your nonprofit client.
Topics to be covered include:
> Conducting a client download and input session> Developing scope-of-work and creative brief documents
> Planning and conducting user research, information architecture,
wire framing, prototyping, and usability testing> Documenting your findings and recommendations
> Presenting recommendations to your pro bono client> Devising an implementation plan
Prerequisites
Must have taken Fundamentals of UX, User Research, Information
Architecture, Prototyping and Testing, or by permission
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| UX: HTML & CSSOrder in UX Course Track: At Learner’s Discretion
IntroductionCheck practically any career website and you’ll see literally
thousands of job postings that require knowledge of HTML. Some,
as you’d expect, are jobs for front-end developers or software
engineers. But a surprising number are for visual designers, web
production artists, and social media consultants. Since HTML and
CSS are the new table stakes in the digital world, this class will get
you in the game.
DescriptionIt's the rare job description that doesn't call for at least a passing
knowledge of how to code websites. Even if that’s not a
requirement for your work as a designer, it’s still very useful to
know the structure and terminology of HTML and CSS. To get you
familiar with all this, you’ll build your own simple site in this class.
So if your job (or the job you hope to have) requires you to know
how websites are built, we’ll start at square one as we cover these
topics:
> The basic structure of HTML, CSS
> Building page structure and navigation
> Preparing images for use on the web
> Using CSS to stylize and format webpages
> Coding techniques to improve a site’s performance on web
searches
> Overview of site hosting, FTP, and domains
Prerequisites
None
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| UX: UX and Prototyping ToolsOrder in UX Course Track: At Learner’s Discretion
IntroductionThe main tool successful UX professionals rely on is the one
between their ears. But, even the brainiest user experience
designers rely on a few well-chosen software tools. For wire-
framing, user flows, and creating interactive prototypes, Axure is
the tool we recommend. For mocking-up beautiful user interfaces,
Sketch is our go-to solution. In this class we’ll get you up-to-speed
and then some.
DescriptionIn this evening class you’ll get to know Axure and Sketch by
working with them on your own computer. With software in hand
(or on disk) we’ll then spend five weeks teaching you the basics and
beyond of these essential UX tools as we cover these topics and
more:
> The Axure interface and tools
> Creating site maps, user flows, and wireframes in Axure
> Building common interactive elements in Axure for a functional
prototype
> Using Axure for creating functional, interactive prototypes
> The Sketch interface: creating, selecting, moving, and resizing
content and layers
> Organizing your Sketch drawings with groups, artboards, and
hidden content
Prerequisites
None
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| Contact us for more information about SVC certificate programs.Contact:
Larry Asher or Linda Hunt, Co-Directors206 623 1560
www.svcseattle.com
School of Visual Concepts
2300 7th Avenue
Suite B
Seattle, WA 98121