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Advertising and Marketing Communications – Creative Design

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Develop strategic plans and create engaging concepts to connect brands with their customers through emerging media, online communities, radio, television and print, outdoor advertising and guerrilla marketing.

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Home / Learn / Programs List / Advertising and Marketing Communications – Creative Design
Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
Two years
Start Date(s)
January (Winter)
September (Fall)
Locations
Belleville
Open to
International Students
Domestic Students

Find your career

Opportunities in this creative field are vast and expanding. There are exciting positions in: 

  • Advertising and marketing communications agencies. 
  • Television and radio. 
  • Sales promotion companies. 
  • Online publications, newspapers and magazines. 
  • In-house advertising and marketing departments for large companies. 
  • Charitable and not-for-profit organizations including health services, tourism, economic development and municipal governments. 

Graduates are prepared for a range of careers. You could work as a: 

  • Junior account executive or coordinator. 
  • Assistant or junior strategic planner. 
  • Social media strategist. 
  • Online community manager. 
  • Media or advertising sales representative. 
  • Junior copywriter. 
  • Online branded content developer. 
  • Junior or assistant brand or product manager. 
  • Internal marketing communications developer. 
  • Fundraiser.

Is it for you?

Are you an idea person? Successful students in this program are: 

  • Strategic planners. 
  • Creative thinkers and problem solvers. 
  • Inventive and expressive. 
  • Interested in brands, media and popular culture.

How you'll learn

Experiential learning 

In this program you won’t get a lot of “chalk and talk.” There are no lectures, exams or tests. Instead, you’ll develop your creative potential in an engaging and stimulating environment: 

  • Use your creativity and inspiration in a career that lets you play with ideas. 
  • Apply new learning right away with team projects and present them to faculty for immediate feedback. 
  • Work through hands-on case studies focusing on Canadian brands and companies such as Steam Whistle Brewery and WestJet. 
  • Develop brand identities and creative concepts for ads in magazines, newspapers, TV commercials, videos and social media. 
  • Enjoy the freedom to be inventive and experiment, with a focus on storytelling and creative thinking. 
  • Get hands-on experience developing creative designs using the latest industry software, including Adobe Creative Suite. 
  • Earn recognition you can add to your résumé with program awards of distinction at the end of the year. 
  • Share your polished creations with invited guests during an annual showcase of student work. 

Nobody knows you like you know yourself. Tailor your learning to your own needs: 

  • Evaluate and guide your professional development with self-directed activities promoting social, cultural and personal understanding. 
  • Plan your own trips and workplace visits, individually or in groups, to explore your interests. 
  • Independent studies in the fourth semester can include a major project with a community partner or in an area of personal or professional interest (with faculty approval). 
  • Or, students may apply to pursue a semester-long field placement, continuing their independent learning on the job. 

 Outstanding faculty make the difference 

  • Get lots of one-on-one feedback from experienced teachers. 
  • Professors continue to liaise with industry professionals and advisors, bringing client experience and emerging trends to the classroom. 
  • The program solicits feedback from local industry leaders to ensure grads have the fresh, up-to-date skills, attributes and abilities for which employers are looking. 

Courses

ADMC1000 Case Study 1

You delve into various marketing challenges faced by local and/or regional companies and explore the environment in which they do business. You are introduced to the principles and practices that guide successful companies in reaching their consumers with effective advertising and marketing communications. You take on real clients to work through advertising/promotions/marketing challenges and produce an integrated marketing communications plan that you present back to the client.

ADMC1002 Creative Strategy Execution 1

You begin to gain knowledge, understanding and skills that are applicable to the development and execution of basic advertising and marketing communications materials. Workshops and lectures provide an introduction to digital graphics, copywriting and design for marketing communications. You work on the development of creative concepts and the execution of ideas related to the Case Study class.

ADMC1001 Creative Thinking 1

This is a wide-ranging course with projects that take you outside the box, learning to employ divergent thinking and express ideas differently. You have fun with experimental thinking and “make believe.” The development of creative concepts and the communication of those concepts in novel and interesting ways are of key importance. This course provides a fun, informative and very hands-on exploration of creative thinking.

GNED1100 Becoming a Global Changemaker

This Loyalist College graduate attributes course will help shape your perspectives, broaden your understanding of important issues affecting our societies today, and equip you with invaluable knowledge and skills that will inform your ability to influence your community in a meaningful and impactful way. By exploring topics such as cultural competency, Indigenous education, entrepreneurship, sustainability, health and wellness, and ecological literacy, you'll be equipped with a powerful toolkit that extends far beyond the classroom.

ADMC1003 Case Study 2

You research marketing challenges faced by local and regional companies and the environment in which they do business. You learn about objectives of advertising and marketing communications and the development of strategies. You begin to apply the principles and practices learned to reach consumers with effective advertising and marketing communications, considering both traditional, digital/social media and the part they play in the delivery of messages. These case studies continue to challenge you to work as part of a group on real client challenges and to develop team dynamic skills: exploring and learning, developing a basic strategic marketing communications plan, writing a report and presenting your work back to the client. Prerequisite: ADMC 1000 Co-requisite: ADMC 1005

ADMC1005 Creative Strategy Execution 2

You practise skills that are applicable to the development and execution of creative marketing communications materials. Workshops and lectures provide continued exposure to digital graphics, copywriting, design, video and audio techniques for marketing communications. There is an expectation of continued self-directed study in these areas. You work both individually and as a team, creating concepts that are integrated with the marketing communications plans developed within the Case Study class. You create objectives and strategies for communications, working within the framework of creative briefs to execute innovative marketing communications. Prerequisite: ADMC 1002 Co-requisite: ADMC 1003

ADMC1004 Creative Thinking 2

This wide-ranging Creative Thinking course continues each semester, offering projects that challenge you to think in new ways. You carry on with more challenging activities that push you to see things in new ways and express ideas differently. You continue to enjoy experimental thinking and “make believe” exercises and learn the concepts of design thinking. The development of creative concepts and the communication of those concepts are of key importance. This course provides a fun, informative and very hands-on exploration of creative thinking.

GNED General Education Elective

General Education Courses

ADMC2000 Case Study 3

You work on real client marketing challenges faced by regional or national companies and the social, economic marketing environment in which they do business. These studies include a substantial focus on consumer behaviour: consumer needs, wants and desires; consumer attitudes and perceptions; and consumer values and beliefs. You delve into market segmentation and develop consumer profiles and sketches. You also study the importance of brand images and the way marketing communications contribute to their development. You go on to identify objectives of advertising and marketing communications, develop comprehensive marketing communications plans, and write creative briefs that would ultimately guide the development of creative material. These case studies continue to challenge you to work together and develop team dynamic skills: exploring the industry, applying principles learned, writing a comprehensive report and presenting your work to the client. Prerequisite: ADMC 1003

ADMC2002 Creative Strategy Execution 3

You work both individually and in teams to add to your knowledge and understanding, and practise skills that are applicable to the development and execution of creative marketing communications materials that are clearly part of a cohesive campaign. There is an expectation of continued self-directed study in the areas of digital graphics, copywriting, design, video and audio techniques for marketing communications, in addition to the workshops and lectures provided. Throughout, there is a growing emphasis on multi-faceted creative campaigns involving various traditional, digital and social media vehicles. Prerequisite: ADMC 1005

ADMC2001 Creative Thinking 3

The very hands-on Creative Thinking course continues into second year, offering fun and challenging projects that take you outside the confines of traditional problem solving. Lateral thinking, free association, brainstorming, design thinking and experimentation all come into play as you challenge yourself to develop ideas that go beyond the ordinary. There is a focus in you creating/developing your own challenges.

GNED General Education Elective

General Education Courses

ADMC2003 Case Study 4

The fourth-semester Case Study course continues to focus on real client challenges. Case studies may range from small, focused advertising campaigns to large integrated marketing communications plans. The final project in this course is not limited by the type of client or budget restrictions that you may have encountered in the past. This time you are in full control. You plan and execute the pre and post launch of a business that you create from the ground up. You may focus on not-for-profit institutions, service-branded companies, packaged goods companies, spirit (alcohol) brands, health-related brands, cultural brands, sports brands, entertainment companies and digital apps. You work in an increasingly autonomous manner through a series of sessions with program faculty to progress through the development of each phase in a professional manner. This course continues to challenge you to work together and critically apply the knowledge and skills developed in previous courses. Prerequisite: ADMC 2000 Co-requisite: ADMC 2005

ADMC2005 Creative Strategy Execution 4

In this course, apply the knowledge, understanding and skills to execute creative marketing communications materials. You will work on the development of creative concepts related to the team’s Case Study. Demonstrate a full understanding of consumer insights by developing communications objectives and strategies. Work within the framework provided by creative briefs to generate, defend and execute creative ideas, covering a complete marketing communications campaign. In addition, you will focus on branding yourself as you prepare to enter the workforce. Prerequisite: ADMC 2002 Co-requisite: ADMC 2003

ADMC2004 Creative Thinking 4

The development of creative concepts and the communication of those concepts are of key importance to advertising/marketing communicators. This course continues to provide a fun and very hands-on exploration of creative thinking. This final Creative Thinking course continues to offer challenging activities that take you outside the box, preparing you for the rigours ahead in a very creative industry in which you must continuously meet new objectives and solve problems in novel, interesting and memorable ways.

*Courses subject to change.

An advertising and marketing student is presenting their presentation. A computer display is standing beside them showing their presentation. Fourteen green graphic circles are in the lower lefthand corner of the image.

Admission requirements

Required academic preparation 

  • OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the general, advanced, (C), (U) or (M) level, and 
  • Grade 12 English (C) level or equivalent 

OR 

Recommended academic preparation 

  • Communications Technology 

Prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) 

Do you have work experience or other types of non-credentialed learning? Through Loyalist’s PLAR program, applicants and current students may be eligible to receive academic credit for relevant educational, work and life experiences. 

International students  

Learn more about admission requirements for international applicants and how to apply.  

Costs

Approximate costs (2024 – 25) 

  • Domestic Tuition: $2,722.08 
  • Full-Time Ancillary Fees:* $1,367 
  • Total: $4,089.08 

Additional costs, such as supplies, travel and parking, may be incurred during workplace visits, etc.   

*Fees related to programs that are less than or greater than two semesters will be adjusted accordingly. Fees are subject to change. Please visit the Tuition and fees page for a list of the many services, activities and items included within the ancillary fees, and the related policies. 

Paying for college 

At Loyalist College, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to your success. We’re here to help you navigate the costs of college and connect you with a variety of financial aid programs, resources and donor-supported awards. Explore paying for college.   

Approximate costs (2024 – 25) 

  • International Tuition: $15,000 
  • Full-Time Ancillary Fees:* $1,367 
  • Mandatory Health Insurance: $659 
  • Total: $17,026 

Additional costs, such as supplies, travel and parking, may be incurred during workplace visits, etc.   

*Fees related to programs that are less than or greater than two semesters will be adjusted accordingly. Fees are subject to change. Please visit the Tuition and fees page for a list of the many services, activities and items included within the ancillary fees, and the related policies. 

Paying for college 

At Loyalist College, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to your success. We’re here to help you navigate the costs of college and connect you with a variety of financial aid programs, resources and donor-supported awards. Explore paying for college.   

A student is standing inside a classroom setting holding a folder. Fourteen blue graphic circles are in the lower lefthand corner of the image.

Further study

Pathways and university transfer 

What’s next? Build on the knowledge and skills you learned at Loyalist by continuing your academic journey. Return to Loyalist to complete a second diploma or a post-graduate program in as little as a year, or receive credit recognition for your Loyalist studies when pursuing a degree at a university. Explore pathway opportunities.  

Post-grad at Loyalist 

Specialize in just two additional semesters to earn a post-graduate certificate in: 

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