Strengthen your skills. Boost your MDM application.
This 9-week online course gives non-technical professionals a clear understanding of how digital products are designed, developed, and delivered. By building fluency and confidence in product development, you’ll strengthen your MDM application and show the Admissions team you’re ready for the challenges of an interdisciplinary, project-based program.
Use the code CDM2025HALF to get 50% off.
Course Details
- Program Dates: January 12 - March 13, 2026 (see syllabus for details)
- Duration: 9-weeks
- Cost:
$900$450 using the code CDM2025HALF
Who is this course for?
- Past MDM applicants who want to strengthen their technical and collaborative skills before re-applying.
- Designers, artists, and creative professionals who want to build digital product fluency.
- Project managers and team leads who need to speak the language of developers and designers.
- Anyone ready to upskill quickly in digital product development.
How This Helps With Your MDM Application
- Builds the technical fluency to understand how digital products are created—skills valued in MDM’s project-based program.
- Strengthens your ability to collaborate across disciplines, a core expectation in MDM.
- Shows initiative and growth by addressing common skill gaps the Admissions team look for.
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 stronger application to the MDM program, backed by new skills and deeper understanding.
- 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
How does this course help with my MDM application?
Successful MDM applicants typically have some experience working on digital products in a professional setting. This course gives you the foundational tools and knowledge of digital product development, which strengthens your MDM application.
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.
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 one of two electives.
Courses
90 hours
12 weeks / Online (90mins)
1.5hrs weekly Zoom session for the first 5 weeks
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!
