introduction to communication and design [iCD]

The world needs more gifted communicators that are passionate about mobilizing people into missions, that want to spread the good news of God amongst the nations and desire to bring issues of justice to the light. (Take some time to watch this video!). If you have ever worked in YWAM or other ministries you will have seen that the Communications team/dept is usually lacking in skilled workers. One of the reasons the iCD was created is to help meet this need. The challenges before us will not be completed by the lazy and faint hearted missionaries. We are looking for committed, disciplined and passionate people who want to grow in there gifting to be available for God to use in mighty ways. If you have a calling to the business sphere of society then the iCD will give you a good platform for further training or internship to bring you to a high enough level of skill/character to work in that environment. If anything is stirring in your heart after you read this short paragraph then you should seriously pray about doing the school. You could be the next great leader that changes the course of history, for Him.

Description

The iCD course was created by the experienced communications team at YWAM Lausanne. It was developed to provide an introductory course for those that feel called to communications but need training to get started. During the iCD, you will learn the principles of communication, design, and marketing as well as different software programs to help you create powerful communication pieces. We’ll teach you how to professionally use Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Premiere and a selection of web design tools. But remember, just because you know how to use the software does not mean that you can automatically create high quality printed pieces, videos, or websites that will reach your intended audience. For that reason, you will also learn how to prayerfully approach a project and process your ideas from thought, to paper, to end product. Bottom line, you will learn the tools, theory and biblical communications world view that will equip you to be a powerful communicator in ministry or the business world.

Check out some examples of students' work

Take a look into the classroom   

Know God as a communicator


You will learn how God uses communication and explore different examples of communication from the Bible. It is part of our goal for you to hear God’s voice and convey His heart through your intimate relationship with Him. And through understanding how He communicates to the physical world through His word, His voice, His creation, you can clearly communicate with Him and understand how He communicates and can then convey that through communication, design, and marketing.

Elements , Processes, and Methods of Communication


To accomplish this outcome, you will look at all the practical aspects of communication (i.e. message, transmission, reception, language, timing, and context), and in addition, you will gain an understanding of interpersonal, intrapersonal, and cross-cultural communication. Through these methods and processes, the iCD seeks to help you develop integrity and enthusiasm about communicating with others. It will call on you to look at the differences in culture, learning styles, and selecting the appropriate messages for your intended audience. We want you to learn how to use communication technology, but in a way that best serves the ones with whom you want to communicate.

Communicate God’s Word to God’s World


In order to effectively communicate God’s Word to His world, we need to understand His heart. As a student, you will have an opportunity to pick a societal issue that breaks God’s heart and develop a communication strategy to address that particular issue. In doing this, we hope to make you more confidant in communicating to multiple cultures, passionate about seeing God’s heart conveyed, and innovative in the means that you use. And don’t forget – God’s part of every single area of this school, and you will have ample opportunity to discuss with Him what you should do and what approach you should take. All of our best ideas come from Him.

Tools of Communication


You will learn the skills of basic drawing, basic color theory, basic principles and elements of design, public speaking, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Premiere (video composition, editing, and sound) and web publishing tools. Through these outcomes, it is our hope and desire that you will be able to communicate the Gospel or any Godly message, using an appropriate method to reach your audience. We want you to finish the school with the conviction to communicate with integrity, compassion, and have a clear understanding of technology, and God’s heart for communication.

Internship (3-6 months)

We highly recommend that you do the internship right after the school. During the 3 month lecture phase you will learn a lot of new things and often people don’t know how to apply what they’ve just learned to a real project. Over a 3 month period there is a limit to the amount of real projects you can do while learning all the tools, theory and biblical world view of communication. That is why doing the 3-6 month internship right after the school is so important. This is where you will work on real communication projects that will get published and used. You will be able to put into practice all that you learned during the school which will ensure that the knowledge acquired during the lecture phase is not lost, but retained for a life time. You can do your internship with us at YWAM Lausanne or at another ywam base or ministry. If you decide to do your internship at YWAM Lausanne and you are accepted then you will simply become part of communications team while you do your internship. We can talk more about the details of your internship during the lecture phase.

FAQs

Who will be staffing the lecture phase?

Vince Licari will be the school leader. He has a long background in communications starting when he worked at the advertising agency Fallon Worldwide from the age of 18-21. He joined YWAM in 2000 and has been working in communication for the mission since then. Some of the work in YWAM that you may have seen is the 2001 UofN workshop website and marketing, 2007 UofN Workshop website and marketing, the early www.reeftooutback.com sites, the current www.ywamlausanne.com site, the new www.ywam.org site and the new www.uofn.edu site. Vince, currently leads the YWAM Lausanne communications team and he and his very capable staff will be leading the school.

Who will be teaching during the lecture phase?

We will invite a variety of experts to teach and some of the teaching will also come from the strong communications staff at YWAM Lausanne.

What will I be able to do after the school (business or missions)?

With the skills acquired during the school you would be ready for the 3-6 month iCD internship. During the internship, you could work at a ywam base in the area of communications or go on outreach to help a remote ywam base or ministry update their communications. Maybe you are ready to look for a job, or go on to another ywam schools. Details of the internship will be discussed during the lecture phase.

What does my skill level need to be before I do the school?

You need to be able to breathe, move a mouse, send an e-mail, read, write, and speak. If you can do all this then you have the skills to do this school. With the quantity and quality of our staff and teachers, no matter what your previous knowledge is, we’ll be able take you to the next level.

Is there a cost for the internship?

This depends on where you do your internship. Each location has a different set up and fee structure. At YWAM Lausanne you need to pay for food and housing, just like all our staff do. But there is no extra cost specifically for the internship.

requirements

Successful completion of dts or cdts (including the outreach phase)

contact

for more information, please contact us.