Empower Yourself To Succeed In the Digital Age
An online course for non-technical professionals who want to confidently lead or contribute to digital product teams.
Build real-world understanding of how digital media products are designed, developed, and delivered, even if you’re not a developer.
This virtual 9-week course equips non-technical professionals with the tools, strategies, and insights to thrive in today’s digital landscape. You'll learn the basic building blocks needed to design, build, deliver, and maintain digital media products, giving you the confidence and skills to work effectively with technical professionals in the industry.
This course will broaden your expertise, help you keep up with the rapidly evolving digital world, and potentially inspire your next career pivot.
Who Should Enroll?
- Entrepreneurs and Startup Founders aspiring to comprehend the technical aspects of their digital offerings.
- Project Managers overseeing digital initiatives who need a foundational grasp of the development process.
- Government Professionals that support digital transformation and want to communicate better with tech teams.
- Teachers & Educators who want to Integrate technology into curriculum and prepare students for digital careers.
- Anyone interested in learning about digital product development
Course Details
- Program Dates: January 12 - March 13, 2026 (see syllabus for details)
- Duration: 9-weeks
- Cost: $900
What You'll Leave With
By the end of this course, you'll walk away with:
- A clear understanding of how real-world digital products are built and maintained
- A shared vocabulary for working with dev teams, designers, and product managers
- Confidence to lead, contribute to, or advocate for digital product decisions
- A professional, industry recognized certificate from Centre for Digital Media, DigiBC, and Simon Fraser University
What Makes This Course Different
- Built for professionals who collaborate with developers, not become one
- Focuses on real-world application, not theory
- Delivered by Centre for Digital Media, a trusted name in digital product development education
Meet the Instructor
Nick Wilkinson
With a BASc and MASc in engineering from UBC, Nick has worked with interdisciplinary teams at NASA, the Canadian government, MoMA, Unity Technologies, and more to deliver digital experiences across web, mobile, AR, VR, and machine learning platforms. Over 20 years, he has led hundreds of app development projects, grown teams, and mentored leaders in client services agencies. Nick is now Managing Director at Steamclock Software, a Project Management Professional (PMP), and a certified facilitator.
Industry Recognized Certificate
You will receive an award of achievement from Centre for Digital Media, Simon Fraser University, and DigiBC upon completion of all courses, which is recognized by association members.
FAQ
Do I need to know how to code to take this course?
No. This course is built specifically for non-technical professionals who work with, or plan to lead, digital product teams.
Is the course fully online?
Yes. You’ll have weekly Zoom calls and access to on-demand content each week. Live sessions are recorded.
What kind of assignments will I do?
Assignments include real-world product planning exercises, research reflections, pitch documents, and more. All are designed to support your role as a non-technical stakeholder.
Who teaches the course?
Nick Wilkinson, an experienced digital product professional who has worked at the intersection of design, technology, and business.
Can I take this from outside Vancouver?
Yes. The course is fully online and accessible anywhere.
Is there a certificate?
Yes. Successful completion earns an industry-recognized certificate from Centre for Digital Media, in partnership with DigiBC and Simon Fraser University.
Building Blocks of Digital Media
This course is part of an advanced upskilling program is designed for professionals who want to incorporate digital media and generative AI into their workflows.
Gain a practical understanding of digital media technologies and develop skills to build or contribute to digital projects in your industry. Designed by industry for newcomers to digital media or for managers, this 4-course program will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to develop your own digital products as well as oversee a digital product development team in your organization.
Future Courses
Courses can be taken individually and in any order—except for Applications of Digital Media—which must be completed last.
Course Delivery: Online, asynchronous learning with weekly synchronous virtual sessions.
9 weeks per course (excluding Applications of Digital Media), with 4 hours of self-study and 1-hour synchronous virtual session weekly.
Weekly Time Commitment: 5 hours/week
Duration: 45 hours
9 weeks | 4 hours of self-study and 1 hour synchronous virtual per week
Tackle a real-world challenge of your choosing and learn how to leverage digital products to achieve your desired results
Duration: 45 hours
9 weeks | 4 hours of self-study and 1 hour synchronous virtual per week
Choose from a selection of electives focused on digital media and creative technology. Options include Centre for Digital Media courses, Emily Carr University Creative Tech Microcredentials, or DigiBC-endorsed programs. Tailor your learning to your specific career goals with flexible elective options.
Courses
90 hours
9 weeks | 4 hours of self-study and 1 hour synchronous virtual per week, plus 9 weeks of self-directed project work with mentorship
Apply what you've learned from the previous courses by planning and executing a digital media project. In the first half, learn the essentials of project planning. In the second half, develop your own project under mentorship, turning theoretical knowledge into a practical solution for your workplace.
Thrive in Today's Digital Workplace
Spaces are limited to ensure a focused learning experience. Take the next step in your career and secure your spot now!
