Web Development – Front-End Design Program (Postgraduate) (G418)
Program Description
Program Overview
Front-End Design focuses on human-centred design to produce high-impact websites and apps. George Brown College's Web Development – Front-End Design program will prepare you with skills in both application and interface development to deliver solutions that meet industry-standards for effective code engineering and responsible design, going beyond traditional websites.
Full Description
This one-year (3 semesters) graduate certificate program will prepare you to translate concepts and ideas into visual and functional interfaces, websites, applications and systems, both personal and professional. Front-end developers focus on human-centred design to produce high-impact websites and apps that respond to the needs of a client — in sectors ranging from health care to fintech, retail to technology and beyond.
The program establishes a new standard for application development with a core focus on five pillars:
- accessible user interface design (“UI”)
- intuitive user experience design (“UX”)
- industry workflow and problem solving skills
- full-stack application architecture
- front-end development
This program has been designed to meet industry needs as application design and development remain critical skills within the rapidly evolving digital economy. Efficient and effective communication with stakeholders and audiences alike is needed in nearly every contemporary industry, from retail to marketing and beyond.
Graduates of the Web Development – Front-End Design program will have the theoretical and hands-on training to:
- Develop custom front-end interactive prototypes and solutions, using the latest techniques in HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
- Integrate the latest libraries and frameworks to improve efficiency, while maximizing employability.
- Master the development workflow, including testing, debugging, documentation, bundling and deployment.
- Put user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design principles into practice.
- Apply knowledge from all levels of the design and development stack to create solutions that meet the requirements of a client brief.
Your Field Education Options
During the third semester of the program, students will take part in a Work-Integrated Learning placement with an industry sponsor.
Learn more about Experiential Learning at the School of Design including how to apply, important dates, workflow, and PLAR eligibility.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Courses
Required Courses
Semester 1
| Course Code | Courses |
|---|---|
| DESN 3031 | Applied Interface Design |
| DESN 3032 | Applied Interface Development |
| DESN 3033 | User Interface Design and Technique |
| DESN 3034 | Prototyping and Experience Design |
| DESN 3035 | Libraries, Tools and Workflow |
| DESN 3036 | Studio Practice 1 |
Semester 2
| Course Code | Courses |
|---|---|
| DESN 3037 | Front-End Application Architecture |
| DESN 3038 | Data Design and Development |
| DESN 3039 | Industry Employment and Portfolio |
| DESN 3040 | Future Interface Design |
| DESN 3041 | Front-End Frameworks |
| DESN 3042 | Studio Practice 2 |
Semester 3
| Course Code | Courses |
|---|---|
| DESN 3043 | Front-End Design Field Placement |
| or | |
| DESN 3053 | Work Integrated Project |
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:
- Determine and document requirements for web computing projects based on the effective application of stakeholder needs.
- Prepare and present proposals and business plans for web applications that satisfy stakeholder requirements.
- Design, model, implement and optimize accessible web solutions to meet client requirements and constraints and align with standards and best practices.
- Design, model, implement, optimize and maintain databases to support data-driven solutions for web environments.
- Implement a development process to support consistency between development platforms and production platforms.
- Develop the appropriate information architecture in order to satisfy a broad range of requirements and enhance the user experience.
- Apply project management concepts to web environment projects to ensure the effective management throughout the lifecycle of the project.
- Test, troubleshoot and debug web applications to support requirements and meet Quality Assurance objectives.
- Communicate and collaborate with team members and stakeholders to ensure effective working relationships.
- Evaluate proposed solutions to optimize and improve web applications based on usability testing and analysis.
- Adhere to ethical, legal and regulatory requirements and/or principles to develop and manage web applications.
- Select and apply strategies for personal and professional development to enhance work performance.
- Use front-end frameworks to promote patterns of design and development that conform to the latest industry standards.
- Create interactive experiences for various types of front-end interfaces or devices, with a focus on user-facing applications.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
International Tuition
Additional Costs
*Amounts listed are the total tuition, materials (non-refundable), student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2022. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2023 and at later dates.
‡ Semester 3 fees will consist of a flat fee of $500.00 for field placement or work integrated project fees are to be paid separately, as this fee is not included in the total above.
** Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2023. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2024 and at later dates.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
Each year we award over $2 million dollars in scholarships, awards and bursaries to first-year students. Check out our financial aid webpages for ways to pay for college and the full list of available scholarships, awards and bursaries.
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Admission Requirements
Ontario College Diploma, advanced diploma, degree or equivalent in computer science/studies, web programming, interaction design or related, or demonstrated work experience in design or computer development.
Questionnaire: Qualified applicants will be invited to complete a questionnaire electronically. The questionnaire will focus on queries related to past development experiences and software applications the applicant is familiar with and comfortable working in. The questionnaire is designed to describe the applicant's future career objectives and intentions in the program. It provides information to assist the Academic Review Committee in assessing the applicant's potential for success in the program.
Interview: Qualified applicants may also be invited for an interview.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English proficiency test results must test at the college level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission.
Please visit English Proficiency for more details.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Design
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 3129
Email: game@georgebrown.ca
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Visit Our Campus
This program is part of our School of Design, located at our Waterfront Campus at 3 Lower Jarvis St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The School of Design resides in a new 103,000-square-foot facility in the Daniels Waterfront – City of the Arts development. This state-of-the-art building supports academic programs and industry projects with features such as:
- virtual and augmented reality lab
- usability and testing lab
- Future Ways of Living lab
- peer tutor lab
- digital sandbox
- incubators
- prototyping and workshop spaces
- design and innovation showcase spaces
Come and have your questions answered, learn about the program content and career options, meet your friendly professors and staff and experience what it is like to be in a George Brown College classroom at one of our information sessions. You can also book a campus tour.
Web Development – Front-End Design Program (Postgraduate) (G418)
Program Description
Program Overview
Front-End Design focuses on human-centred design to produce high-impact websites and apps. George Brown College's Web Development – Front-End Design program prepares learners with skills in both application and interface development to deliver solutions that meet industry-standards for effective code engineering and responsible design, going beyond traditional websites.
Full Description
This one-year (3 semesters) graduate certificate program will prepare you to translate concepts and ideas into visual and functional interfaces, websites, applications and systems, both personal and professional. Front-End Developers focus on human-centred design to produce high-impact websites and apps that respond to the needs of a client — in sectors ranging from healthcare to fintech, retail to technology, and beyond.
The program establishes a new standard for application development with a core focus on five pillars:
- accessible user interface design (“UI”)
- intuitive user experience design (“UX”)
- industry workflow and problem solving skills
- full-stack application architecture
- front-end development
This program has been designed to meet industry needs as application design and development remain critical skills within the rapidly evolving digital economy. Efficient and effective communication with stakeholders and audiences alike is needed in nearly every contemporary industry, from retail to marketing and beyond.
Graduates of the Web Development – Front-End Design program will have the theoretical and hands-on training to:
- Develop custom front-end interactive prototypes and solutions, using the latest techniques in HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
- Integrate the latest libraries and frameworks to improve efficiency, while maximizing employability.
- Master the development workflow, including testing, debugging, documentation, bundling and deployment.
- Put user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design principles into practice.
- Apply knowledge from all levels of the design and development stack to create solutions that meet the requirements of a client brief.
Computer Recommendation
All School of Design students are able to utilize the computers within the School of Design to complete their assignments. If a student within this program would like to purchase a personal computer to complete their work from home, we recommend the following specifications:
Apple
- A Macbook Pro, iMac, Mac Studio, or Mac Pro that was released within the last 3 years or better.
Windows
- Desktop or Laptop
- Processor: Intel i5 or better
- RAM: 16GB (minimum 8GB)
- Graphics Card: Dedicated Graphic Card
- Audio/Video: Camera & Microphone
Your Field Education Options
During the third semester of the program, students will take part in a Work Integrated Learning placement with an industry sponsor.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Courses
Required Courses
Semester 1
| Course Code | Courses |
|---|---|
| DESN 3031 | Applied Interface Design |
| DESN 3032 | Applied Interface Development |
| DESN 3033 | User Interface Design and Technique |
| DESN 3034 | Prototyping and Experience Design |
| DESN 3035 | Libraries, Tools and Workflow |
| DESN 3036 | Studio Practice 1 |
Semester 2
| Course Code | Courses |
|---|---|
| DESN 3037 | Front-End Application Architecture |
| DESN 3038 | Data Design and Development |
| DESN 3039 | Industry Employment and Portfolio |
| DESN 3040 | Future Interface Design |
| DESN 3041 | Front-End Frameworks |
| DESN 3042 | Studio Practice 2 |
Semester 3
| Course Code | Courses |
|---|---|
| DESN 3043 | Front-End Design Field Placement |
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:
- Determine and document requirements for web computing projects based on the effective application of stakeholder needs.
- Prepare and present proposals and business plans for web applications that satisfy stakeholder requirements.
- Design, model, implement and optimize accessible web solutions to meet client requirements and constraints and align with standards and best practices.
- Design, model, implement, optimize and maintain databases to support data-driven solutions for web environments.
- Implement a development process to support consistency between development platforms and production platforms.
- Develop the appropriate information architecture in order to satisfy a broad range of requirements and enhance the user experience.
- Apply project management concepts to web environment projects to ensure the effective management throughout the lifecycle of the project.
- Test, troubleshoot and debug web applications to support requirements and meet Quality Assurance objectives.
- Communicate and collaborate with team members and stakeholders to ensure effective working relationships.
- Evaluate proposed solutions to optimize and improve web applications based on usability testing and analysis.
- Adhere to ethical, legal and regulatory requirements and/or principles to develop and manage web applications.
- Select and apply strategies for personal and professional development to enhance work performance.
- Use front-end frameworks to promote patterns of design and development that conform to the latest industry standards.
- Create interactive experiences for various types of front-end interfaces or devices, with a focus on user-facing applications.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
International Tuition
Additional Costs
*Amounts listed are the total tuition, materials (non-refundable), student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2021. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2022 and at later dates.
‡ Semester 3 fees will consist of a flat fee of $500.00 for Field placement fees are to be paid separately, as this fee is not included in the total above.
** Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2022. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2023 and at later dates.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Admission Requirements
Ontario College Diploma, advanced diploma, degree or equivalent in computer science/studies, web programming, interaction design or related, or demonstrated work experience in design or computer development.
Questionnaire: Qualified applicants will be invited to complete a questionnaire electronically. The questionnaire will focus on queries related to past development experiences and software applications the applicant is familiar with and comfortable working in. The questionnaire is designed to describe the applicant's future career objectives and intentions in the program. It provides information to assist the Academic Review Committee in assessing the applicant's potential for success in the program.
Interview: Qualified applicants may also be invited for an interview.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English proficiency test results must test at the college level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission.
Please visit English Proficiency for more details.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Design
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 3129
Email: game@georgebrown.ca
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Visit Our Campus
This program is part of our School of Design, located at our Waterfront Campus at 3 Lower Jarvis St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The School of Design resides in a new 103,000-square-foot facility in the Daniels Waterfront – City of the Arts development. This state-of-the-art building supports academic programs and industry projects with features such as:
- virtual and augmented reality lab
- usability and testing lab
- Future Ways of Living lab
- peer tutor lab
- digital sandbox
- incubators
- prototyping and workshop spaces
- design and innovation showcase spaces
Come and have your questions answered, learn about the program content and career options, meet your friendly professors and staff and experience what it is like to be in a George Brown College classroom at one of our information sessions. You can also book a campus tour.
