Explore stories from the IDEA School of Design
Walking into the classroom feels magical for first-year student Sophia Spanos McGill (IDEA Grad 2025)
Meet first-year student, Sophia Spanos McGill (IDEA Grad 2025)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.
“I tried to channel the part of me that doesn’t like to be perceived into the portrait: It’s messy and chaotic, I layered many images of myself on top of each other, so that it’s hard to see the proper outlines of one or the other. I had so much fun putting this together!” writes Sophia.
Read Sophia’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.
Sol Yoon (IDEA Grad 2025) is learning not to compare herself to her classmates but learn from them instead
Meet first-year student, Sol Yoon (IDEA Grad 2025)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.
“When I was applying to the IDEA School of Design, the idea of forming a community with other artists at IDEA and exchanging feedback with them felt like a studio or company experience to me.” writes Sol.
Read Sol’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.
Happy Valentine's Day from IDEA School of Design!
Looking for design, illustration, or interactive design education in Vancouver? Study at the IDEA School of Design!
The Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication at Capilano University in North Vancouver has a reputation for industry-ready graduates. Admission to the program is competitive, and applicants must submit a portfolio and other documents through the online portal SlideRoom.
Late Admission for the Fall 2022 Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication closes Wednesday, April 13, 2022.
Shown above: “You Are Loved” lettering design by Celina Zhong (IDEA Grad 2024).
Happy Lunar New Year from IDEA School of Design at Capilano University!
Thank you to everyone who applied in our Early Admission period! Late Admission for the Fall 2022 Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication opens Friday, January 28, 2022, and closes Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Join us online Saturday, February 12th, 2022 for IDEA School of Design Virtual Portfolio Day!
Shown above: “Year of the Tiger” by Tiffany Zhong (IDEA Grad 2024). Check out some student illustrations celebrating Lunar New Year 2022!
Kyle Rask (IDEA Grad 2025) illustrates one of his favourite winter cocktails (recipe included)
This illustration is a winter/seasonal pick-me-up of one of Kyle’s favourite winter cocktails, and a favourite in his family — along with the recipe.
Early Applications for the Fall 2022 Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication close January 26, 2022. Late Admission opens Friday, January 28, 2022, and closes Wednesday, April 13, 2022. No submissions for Fall 2022 (IDEA Grad 2026) will be accepted after Wednesday, April 13, 2022.
Mark your calendars! Our next Open Studio is Saturday, February 12, 2022!
"Merry Christmas and a Chinchillin’ Holiday" illustration by first-year student Rachel L (IDEA Grad 2025)
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from IDEA School of Design!
Here’s a digital illustration by first-year student Rachel L (IDEA Grad 2025).
Early Applications for the Fall 2022 Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication close January 26, 2022. Late Admission opens Friday, January 28, 2022, and closes Wednesday, April 13, 2022. No submissions for Fall 2022 (IDEA Grad 2026) will be accepted after Wednesday, April 13, 2022.
Mark your calendars! Our next Open Studio is Saturday, February 12, 2022!
Happy Holidays from IDEA School of Design! “The Skaters” is a digital painting by first-year student Sophia Spanos McGill (IDEA Grad 2025)
Happy Holidays from IDEA School of Design!
Early Applications for the Fall 2022 Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication close January 26, 2022. Late Admission opens Friday, January 28, 2022, and closes Wednesday, April 13, 2022. No submissions for Fall 2022 (IDEA Grad 2026) will be accepted after Wednesday, April 13, 2022.
Mark your calendars! Our next Open Studio is Saturday, February 12, 2022!
Check out Sophia’s advice on applying to IDEA School of Design!
Tanner McMahon (IDEA Grad 2025) Shares Illustrations and Painting from Fall Semester
First year student, Tanner McMahon (IDEA Grad 2025), shares illustrations and painting from IDES 131 Survey and Principles of Illustration I taught by Jeff Burgess and IDES 133 Visual Studio taught by Andrew McDermott.
Shown above “Self reflection” a self portrait assignment created with pastel pencil on paper.
Check out some first year student work from IDEA School of Design at Capilano University!
Early Applications for IDEA School of Design Fall 2022 are open now on SlideRoom.
Second Year Students (IDEA Grad 2024) Design Some Very Creative Annual Reports in Design Studio I with Instructor, Vida Jurcic
In Project 1 of IDES 243 — Design Studio I, taught by Vida Jurcic, students design the format and concept for a multi-page report, including a cover page, back page, and three spreads for the report. They also write a brief for their project and apply their design to a microsite.
There was some extraordinary work created overall, showcasing both the students' design and illustration skills.
Here are a few of the standout projects from IDEA School of Design Grad 2024 students including ‘2020 Annual Report Canada Post Corporation’ (shown above) by Nguyen Quoc Huy Anh (IDEA Grad 2024).
Check out this second-year student project from IDEA School of Design at Capilano University!
Happy Halloween featuring student application images and new work from our first-year students (IDEA Grad 2025)
We’re thrilled to feature some of the work from IDEA School of Design first-year students (IDEA Grad 2025) as part of their application to IDEA and new work this term!
Shown above: “The Woods Have Eyes” by Emma D. (IDEA Grad 2025) as part of her application to IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.
“A small looping animation I did based on the silver birch/aspen trees.”
Early Applications for IDEA School of Design Fall 2022 begin Friday, November 5, 2021 on SlideRoom. Explore CapU Virtual Open House is on Saturday, November 20, 2021.
Second year student, Aibhlin Fowlie (IDEA Grad 2024) is creating some of her best work and consistently being pushed to work outside of her comfort zone
Meet second-year student, Aibhlin Fowlie (IDEA Grad 2024)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.
Read Aibhlin’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.
3rd year transfer student Alex Westcott (IDEA Grad 2022) from Emily Carr did an amazing job jumping head first into Interaction Design
Last fall, Emily Carr graduate, Alex Westcott, transferred to 3rd Year (IDEA Grad 2022) of CapU’s IDEA School of Design Bachelor of Design. We just caught up with Alex to ask her about her experience at IDEA School of Design so far.
Check out this student spotlight!
Creative Thinking for Designers (DSGN 122) Pushes First Year Students (IDEA Grad 2024) to Explore 100 Iterations of a Theme
Working designers know that if you put in the time and do the work, a solid solution will usually emerge out of it. Your first idea might be the best, but it is only after coming up with many more solutions that you will know your final solution is solid. For this reason, many studios have the 100 guide: If you come up with 100 ideas, 90 will be ok, 9 will be good and 1 might just be great, so don’t stop working until you’ve explored 100 solutions.
The last assignment of IDEA School of Design’s 1st-year Creative Thinking class pushes students to explore this concept. They are challenged with exploring 100 iterations of a theme; ideally something they’d like to get better at.
Shown above: A sample from “100 Typographical Foods” by Celina Zhong. Check out some of this year’s projects!
First year IDEA student, Freya Emery (IDEA Grad 2024) has become a stronger version of herself and wants you to be fearless with your art
Meet first-year student, Freya Emery (IDEA Grad 2024)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.
“My experience with the IDEA School of Design has been truly amazing. I became a stronger version of myself, and it’s only been what…. six months now *mindblown* 🤯” she writes.
Read Freya’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.
First year student, Ethan Woronko’s (IDEA Grad 2024), grasp on composition, colour theory, design elements and principles, and art as a whole has grown immensely
Meet first-year student, Ethan Woronko (IDEA Grad 2024)! His self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.
“My style evolved more in the first few months at IDEA School of Design than in the year and a half leading up to it!” writes Ethan.
Read Ethan’s story and check out some of his other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.
First year student, Anna Oh (IDEA Grad 2024) strongly believes her dreams will be in reach with a Bachelor of Design from IDEA School of Design
Meet first-year student, Anna Oh (IDEA Grad 2024)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.
She chose IDEA School of Design because she strongly believes that her dreams will be in reach with a Bachelor of Design from IDEA School of Design. “IDEA Bachelor of Design is known for producing excellent, brilliant students in the field of design.” she writes.
Read Anna’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.
First Year (IDEA Grad 2024) Students Explore Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco Designers with Psychedelic Album Cover Designs
In First Year Survey and Principles of Design, there is often a project to parallel the design movement studied. As part of an exercise to understand the "psychedelic" movement, which began in Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco in the mid 1960’s and had an effect, not just on music, but also on many aspects of popular culture, the students created an album cover to reflect the spirit and aesthetic of the genre.
Shown above: “The Glorious Sons” by Imogen Pettyfer, a modern band gone back in time to the 60s psychedelic era.
Check out some 60s album cover projects from IDES 142 Survey and Principles of Design II with Vida Jurcic.
First year student, Natasha Lee (IDEA Grad 2024), was drawn to IDEA Bachelor of Design due to its straightforward and employment-based mindset
Meet first-year student, Natasha Lee (IDEA Grad 2024)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.
“If you are only interested in producing conceptual and abstract forms of art, IDEA School of Design may not be the best fit, but for those who would like to build up their skillset and portfolio to be competent as a commercial artist, the IDEA Bachelor of Design program is very promising.” she writes.
Read Natasha’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.
First year IDEA student, Nuha Thayyib (IDEA Grad 2024), discovers the real strength of collaboration and how to push past her limitations
Meet first-year student, Nuha Thayyib (IDEA Grad 2024)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.
“All the group discussions and critiques have been extremely helpful. IDEA has taught me the real strength of collaboration and how two minds are always better than one.” writes Nuha.
Read Nuha’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.
First year student, Nguyen Quoc Huy Anh (IDEA Grad 2024), loves how IDEA School of Design instructors motivate students to think outside the box
Meet first-year student, Nguyen Quoc Huy Anh (IDEA Grad 2024)! His self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.
“IDEA School of Design is better than I thought,” says Huy. “I love how the instructors always try their best to push students, to motivate us to think outside the box.”
Read Huy’s story and check out some of his other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.