It’s a given that the ways we communicate with one another… and the ways we get informed about the world around us… have changed dramatically over the last decade or two. 

Professional communicators (journalists, organizational communicators, advertisers, marketers, and folks who create visual, video and audio content) know this better than anyone: not just because it affects them like everyone else, but because their professions are constantly changing with the times. This can bring stress nobody needs or wants.

A “CreComm” extension for working communication professionals

In 2020, RRC Polytech introduced a new post-graduate diploma program in Communication Management, designed to help Creative Communications graduates working in communications update their digital media skills, build business knowledge, and develop management and leadership abilities.

“We’ve had many successful CreComm grads reach out to ask about training tailored to the next step in their careers,” says Melanie Lee Lockhart, Chair of the Creative Communications and Communication Management programs. “Some want to move into management, and others want to build digital communication skills that may not have existed when they were in school. This program offers both.”

The Communication Management program was designed to provide the knowledge and skills CreComm grads had been asking for… and in a format that’s friendly to an already-busy professional person’s schedule. Classes take place online one or two evenings a week in the fall and winter terms.

“The knowledge and skills I’ve gained in Communication Management have already provided me new opportunities at work,” said Megan Dudeck-French, Marketing Officer at the Asper School of Business and Communication Management student. “I have been able to expand my portfolio and contribute in a leadership capacity.”

Since students in this post-graduate program are generally working professionals, they can choose to use their employer as their client for most class assignments – adding value to their workplace performance before each course is even over.

If you’ve been thinking about updating your digital communication skills, here’s your chance. Register here, or contact Melanie Lee Lockhart at mleelockhart@rrc.ca for more information.

DMD Studio Project is a course that allows students to pick their own term-long projects. Often it’s a dream project, something that lets them learn specific new skills and unleash their creativity in exciting new ways.

Below is a Studio Project from Video and Motion Graphics student Kayla Pilgrim, who wanted to push her 3D skills to the next level.

Below is a project from Kristin Lanyon, who wanted to explore using Redshift rendering in Cinema 4D. She created this amazing marble machine from scratch!

Here are some terrific student explainer videos. The challenge here was to use visuals, rich sound, a cohesive design, and both 2D and 3D animation to communicate an interesting statistic.

The Digital Media Design program teaches motion graphic design, which nicely complements many of the other skill sets taught in the program: graphic design, 3D animation, videography, photography, and web design. Below some examples of motion graphic design assignments, which tasked the students to illustrate and animate a simple fact.

Here is another student motion graphic sample. The assignment was to create a 10 second motion graphic that starts and ends with a square. What they did in the middle was up to them. Students were told to focus on using simple shapes, great design, and audio/video synergy to create a compelling motion graphic.

Just over a year ago, RRC Polytech launched Communication Management, a post-graduate diploma program to help professional communicators boost their business acumen and leadership skills. The program’s first cohort is a mix of professionals who specialize in various communication disciplines.

Their common link is that they’re all now working in organizational communications, and came to the Communication Management program to build experience that will open more professional opportunities.

“I have already put my new skills into practice in my work at Manitoba Hydro,” says Kathleen Hodgson, Community Investment and Public Safety Specialist at Manitoba Hydro. “The course content is designed specifically for people like me, who may have mastered the fundamentals of communications but are still eager to learn more. I believe the confidence I gained from taking Business for Communicators 1 gave me the edge I needed to bid on an exciting new role within my organization, and get it.”

“The program has really helped boost my confidence and renewed my passion for my work, which is great for me and Manitoba Hydro,” says Hodgson.

The Communication Management program is offered online, on weekday evenings. The courses cover traditional business topics ranging from operating fundamentals (finance, governance, reporting, labour law) to professional project management and leadership skills. In addition to those, courses provide deeper dives into skills particularly relevant to mid-level communicators, from stakeholder engagement to change management and digital content marketing.

To complete the program, each student will complete a capstone project that puts their skills into practice for a real-life client of their choice – either an employer or another organization they want to help.

“Our Creative Communications grads develop strong communication skills in their diploma program, but we just don’t have the time to build the extensive business knowledge, project management and leadership skills we’d like to,” says Melanie Lee Lockhart, M.A., APR, who coordinates the Communication Management program. “Having taught Public Relations and Communication Management in CreComm for more than a decade, I know the vast majority of our grads find industry jobs quickly. But some eventually need additional training to help them move up.”

“We developed the Communication Management program to connect CreComm grads’ communication skills with the business knowledge and management skills they need,” says Lee Lockhart.

The Communication Management program comprises 12 courses. This coming winter term (January – April 2023), the program will offer its Managing Major Projects, Digital Content Marketing, and Labour Law and Management courses.

Check out these reels created by students in the Digital Media Design – Video and Motion Graphics program. In this second-year specialization, students learn the art of motion graphic design and animation. Through storytelling, they implement video production techniques including shooting, lighting, editing, audio, colour correction and compositing.

Students in the Digital Media Design – Interaction Design and Development program create design-driven, responsive websites, apps and user interfaces. In this second-year specialization program, students are challenged to build websites using WordPress, the world’s most popular content management system. Take a look at some of their work below.

In DMD, we teach DSLR cinematography: you’ll learn camera settings, composition, lighting and audio. Here are some samples of students integrating motion graphics into their video production. The goal here was to focus on composition, movement, natural light, colour correction, and designing motion tracked graphics. Once students have mastered basic camera and lighting, we move on to advanced digital filmmaking techniques with a focus on storytelling.

Join us

On Thursday of this week, our graduating Graphic Design and Communication Design classes are hosting Industry Day as a virtual event.

This is a chance to celebrate all of their hard work, meet some new people, catch up with friends, and more.

They’ve been working hard on this and are looking forward to connecting with you. Please consider joining us for part of your day on Thursday!

OUR VOICE / SHIFT – INDUSTRY DAY

Thursday, May 6 from 12pm-9pm
To see the schedule or join the event, click here.

Scheduled at various times throughout the event:

• Group sessions
• One-on-one chats
• Exhibition of student work

Please follow the updates on Instagram @rrcdesign21 and @shiftdesignshow for instructions and complete schedule of activities.

Grad Show website: https://2021.rrcdesignshow.ca/graphic-design/
Grad Show store: https://2021.rrcdesignshow.ca/shop/

Hope to see you there! Thank you for your support of our programs.

BioTalent Student Work Placement Program with Medicure

Junior Digital Media Designer Co-Op Studentship

The Junior Digital Media Designer co-op position is responsible for the creation of both marketing assets and content created to support Medicure’s product portfolio and other marketing goals. This candidate will work closely with our Design Team and Medical Marketing Projects Manager to improve our users experience by bringing our brand to life and keeping it consistent across all our various touchpoints. This co-op placement will be full-time up to a maximum of 16 weeks.

Responsibilities:

• Develop an intimate understanding of our brand message and tone to accurately capture in design through website design, media assets, video and photo form
• Collaborate with marketing and product marketing teammates to support creation of new content
• Help bring new ideas for design and content creation to the team using your expertise and eye for great design
• Scope and create templates for our marketing team to be more efficient in some of their posting on social media, the blog, email, and other channels
• Manage other design needs such as presentations, signage, and trade show collateral as needed
• Develop an intimate understanding of our brand message and tone to accurately capture in video and photo form

Requirements:

• Willingness to learn and work as a team
• Experience in website design and video editing experience is preferred.
• Expert in Adobe Creative Suite. Experience Adobe Premiere Pro and in Adobe After Effects a major plus. Knowledge of motion graphics preferred.
• Knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript preferred
• Applicants must be a current full-time or part-time student registered in a post-secondary program in Canada
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada
• Be legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulations
• Successful enrolment into the Student Work Placement Program with BioTalent Canada (successful candidates will be guided through this process once selected)
• Applicants must consent to release co-op employment information to BioTalent Canada and the Government of Canada periodically during the placement and after the end of the placement.

If you are interested in the position, please provide your resume and your portfolio to Rina Donnelly (rdonnelly@medicure.com).