Learn. Build skills. Make a difference.
Official programme prospectus
Graphic Design & Digital Content Creation
Design skills for posters, social media and organisational branding using industry tools.
- Duration
- 3 months / about 12 weeks
- Fee
- SLE 2,500
- Delivery
- Online · Face-to-face · Blended
- Level
- Foundation
SLIHSD · Graphic Design & Digital Content Creation · Programme prospectus
1. About SLIHSD
Sierra Leone Institute for Humanitarian and Sustainable Development is a developing professional education, training and capacity-development institute focused on practical, accessible learning for humanitarian, community and sustainable-development practice.
2. Why this programme?
Design skills for posters, social media and organisational branding using industry tools. The programme is structured for learners who need practical, assessable capability they can connect to real responsibilities while continuing work or other commitments.
3. Programme at a glance
- Category
- Digital, Creative & Business
- Level
- Foundation
- Duration
- 3 months (about 12 weeks)
- Study modes
- Online · Face-to-face · Blended
- Indicative programme fee
- SLE 2,500
- Registration fee
- SLE 100
- Location
- Mile 91, Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone
- Application deadline
- 31 March 2026
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
4. Target audience
- • Learners, freelancers, entrepreneurs and small-business owners developing practical digital or creative skills.
- • Staff who need stronger digital production, communication or office skills for their current role.
- • School leavers and graduates building an evidence-based portfolio for further study or entry-level opportunities.
5. Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
6. Learning outcomes
- • Design branded materials for print and social
- • Work confidently in industry design tools
- • Present a professional design portfolio
7. Course structure and modules
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | Design principles, layout and typography |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Colour, branding and visual identity |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Photoshop and Illustrator essentials |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Canva and fast social content production |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Print preparation and portfolio building |
8. Detailed module breakdown
1. Design principles, layout and typography (Weeks 1–2)
Build hands-on competence in design principles, layout and typography through guided demonstrations, practice files and portfolio work.
- • Core tools and workflow for design principles, layout and typography
- • Production standards, file management and responsible use
- • Creating, reviewing and presenting a finished output
Assessed work: Complete a portfolio-ready output demonstrating design principles, layout and typography.
2. Colour, branding and visual identity (Weeks 3–4)
Study colour, branding and visual identity in the context of digital, Creative & Business, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
- • Essential concepts and terminology within colour, branding and visual identity
- • Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- • Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying colour, branding and visual identity to a realistic setting.
3. Photoshop and Illustrator essentials (Weeks 5–6)
Build hands-on competence in photoshop and Illustrator essentials through guided demonstrations, practice files and portfolio work.
- • Core tools and workflow for photoshop and Illustrator essentials
- • Production standards, file management and responsible use
- • Creating, reviewing and presenting a finished output
Assessed work: Complete a portfolio-ready output demonstrating photoshop and Illustrator essentials.
4. Canva and fast social content production (Weeks 7–8)
Build hands-on competence in canva and fast social content production through guided demonstrations, practice files and portfolio work.
- • Core tools and workflow for canva and fast social content production
- • Production standards, file management and responsible use
- • Creating, reviewing and presenting a finished output
Assessed work: Complete a portfolio-ready output demonstrating canva and fast social content production.
5. Print preparation and portfolio building (Weeks 9–12)
Study print preparation and portfolio building in the context of digital, Creative & Business, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
- • Essential concepts and terminology within print preparation and portfolio building
- • Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- • Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying print preparation and portfolio building to a realistic setting.
9. Practical project / portfolio
Build a five-piece client-ready design portfolio.
10. Teaching & learning approach
- • Tutor-led explanation and demonstration focused on the published module topics.
- • Guided practice using cases, scenarios, templates or production tasks relevant to the programme.
- • Individual and group feedback that helps learners improve work before final submission.
- • Flexible online, face-to-face or blended participation, with evening and weekend scheduling where available.
11. Assessment & completion
- • Short applied tasks linked to the published modules.
- • Practical component: Build a five-piece client-ready design portfolio.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
12. Career & professional pathways
- • Use the completed portfolio to demonstrate practical capability for freelance, small-business or junior digital work.
- • Apply the skills within communications, administration, marketing or programme-support responsibilities.
- • Progress to a longer SLIHSD digital, creative or business programme where available.
13. Learner support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Practice files and design or campaign briefs for each tool covered.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
14. Fees & enrolment
Indicative programme fee for this course is SLE 2,500, plus a one-off registration fee of SLE 100. Final fees and any instalment arrangement are confirmed with you in writing before you commit.
| Course length | Indicative fee |
|---|---|
| 1 month short courses | SLE 150 – 750 |
| 1–3 months | SLE 2,500 |
| 3–6 months | SLE 3,500 |
| 6–18 months | SLE 5,000 |
15. Quality, recognition & regulatory notice
SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Completion records an SLIHSD professional short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
16. Contact & application
Learn. Build skills. Make a difference.
Apply online at slihsd.org/admissions, message us on WhatsApp +232 73655013, call +232 73655013, or email info@slihsd.org.
Sierra Leone Institute for Humanitarian and Sustainable Development (SLIHSD) · Mile 91, Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone · WhatsApp Business +232 73655013 · info@slihsd.org · slihsd.org
SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Certificates issued reflect completion of SLIHSD short courses and are not presented as accredited academic awards.