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GEN 204: Intro to Marketing

Gain a Practical Introduction to Marketing

Today's business clients are looking for designers who can apply their creative talents in ways that enhance strategic business goals. In this online introductory Marketing Design course, you'll learn tried-and-true marketing concepts and explore how they affect the design process. You'll gain a solid grasp of the marketing process, understand key terms and concepts that every marketer uses, and pick up smart questions to ask in client meetings.

General Education | 1.5 credits | Next Start:
August 26, 2024

About This Course

Project-Based Learning

Research and writing projects enable you to apply marketing concepts by developing a media plan, evaluating marketing strategies, and assessing a client brief.

What Skills Will I Develop?

Students in this course can expect to learn to:

  • Define the purpose of marketing and differentiate between product, consumer, and marketing-focused companies.
  • Analyze and discuss the "seven Ps" of marketing activities: price, place, promotion, product, people, physical evidence, and process.
  • Research the target audience for a company and its products and consider the effectiveness of three marketing pieces.
  • Examine appropriate media for marketing a company's products.
  • Explore how marketing pieces reflect a company's approach to price, place, and product.
  • Appraise a company or product brand, identifying consistent features and brand messages.
  • Evaluate a company's business objectives and overall marketing direction at a basic level.
  • Focus on how mission, vision, value, and positioning statements present the goals of a company's marketing initiatives.

What Software and Supplies Do I Need?

  • Computer with Internet connection.
  • MS Word or equivalent program.

Course Instructor(s)

The course is taught by the following instructor(s):

Course Outline

    1. Fundamentals of Marketing

      This course will instill key marketing concepts and terminology that every designer should know. In this first week, marketing is defined and the evolution of marketing is explored through product-, customer-, and marketing-focused eras. The extensive role that marketing can play throughout a company's business is examined. A case study analyzes a major company's marketing efforts.

    2. Principles of Marketing

      Most marketing initiatives flow from (or enhance) the brand of an existing company or product. This week begins by addressing the concept of the brand and how companies create a brand experience. The "seven Ps" of marketing are explored—essential elements that shape all marketing activities. You'll understand how issues such as price, place, and promotion work together to shape the business context for your design projects. Then you'll take a look at advertising and sales promotions and the different ways they affect consumer decision-making.

    3. Strategies to Market and Sell

      The final lecture rounds out your marketing 101 with a look at the key aspects of business documents that companies use to define their strategy. You'll learn how to interpret key components of a marketing plan from a design perspective, and how to use a mission statement and other business goals to understand your clients' needs. Then you'll learn practical guidelines for any marketing design project, and even look at some tactics to help market yourself as a designer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Do The Courses Work?

Our courses are project-based and instructor-led. In each course you’ll complete a series of lectures, projects, discussions, and critiques designed to stretch your creative skills. Weekly assignment deadlines keep you on track, and with no set-logins or Zoom meetings, you can build your studies around your schedule.

Who Are The Instructors?

Our courses are developed and taught by our industry-leading faculty of creative professionals. This means that you’ll learn in-demand skills, get feedback on your work, and build a portfolio of creative work. View our Student Gallery for featured student projects.

When Can I Start?

Classes start January, April, and August, and this course can be completed as part of a 15-week term in 8 weeks. College credit from this course can be applied to a range of degree and certificate programs at Sessions College.

How Do I Register?

To register for a program, complete our program application. To register for this course on an individual basis, please contact our admissions team at admissions@sessions.edu. An Admissions Advisor will contact you to setup your enrollment.

Course Tuition and Fees
Tuition$510/credit
Registration Fee* $200
Total Course Price $965

Registration fees are nonrefundable after 5 days from enrollment.

Is Sessions College accredited?

Yes. Since 2001, Sessions College has been accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).