Explore stories from the IDEA School of Design
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.
Alison Johnstone (IDEA Grad 2021) wins #heyRGD February Challenge Popularity Prize (most likes on a post) for “contrast” with these playful gifs
Congratulations to Alison Johnstone (IDEA Grad 2021) for winning Popularity Prize (most likes on a post) for #heyRGD February Challenge for “contrast” with "Skin" (shown above) and "True Colours".
Check out this award-winning motion design student project!
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.
Sara Nguyen (IDEA Grad 2021) wins the #heyRGD February Challenge Presentation Prize for "contrast" with Neume, a high contrast, modern display font
Congratulations to Sara Nguyen Student RGD (IDEA Grad 2021) for winning the Presentation Prize for #heyRGD February Challenge for “contrast” with Neume, a high contrast, modern display font. The judges were impressed with Sara's entry.
Like the font, Neume Sample Poster (shown above) reflects the contrasting blend of historic imagery inspiration and modernized design forms and layout.
Check out this award-winning typeface design student project!
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.
Kathrin Teh (IDEA Grad 2023) Wins Prestigious Graphis New Talent Annual Silver Award 2021 with 'Gossamer Gin' Packaging Design
Congratulations to Kathrin Teh (IDEA Grad 2023) for winning Graphis New Talent Annual Silver Award 2021 with 'Gossamer Gin' Packaging Design (shown above). Graphis is an international bastion of excellence in design and visual imagery.
“Gossamer Gin is a luxury gin brand, focused on introducing the fascinating ingredients present in the drink to the masses. Their juniper — sourced from the Himalayas — and the plethora of unique, exotic ingredients they use, set them apart from the rest. They have several bottles, each focused on a different region of the world, which feature botanicals from the highlighted region. This way, you can experience gin with ingredients from regions across Asia, Europe, South America, etc.” writes Kathrin.
Check out this international award-winning packaging design project!
With a Graduate Degree in Architecture from Dalhousie University, Designer/Photographer Shy Smardon (IDEA Grad 2016) Navigates the Inflections of Design in New Zealand
We recently caught up with designer, photographer and graduate architect, Shy Smardon (IDEA Grad 2016), for a grad spotlight on life after graduating from IDEA School of Design where he won 10 student awards! He considers himself quite lucky to be living in New Zealand.
“It definitely wasn’t part of the plan to skip out on a pandemic, but that’s what I feel has happened.” writes Shy. Shy is currently a Website Designer at the University of Otago in New Zealand, a freelance graphic designer, and undertaking a full redesign of an early 1900s villa that he and his partner purchased.
Check out this grad spotlight!
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.
If they can overcome this year, they can overcome anything! Look out for this year’s unprecedented talent graduating from the IDEA School of Design
The IDEA School of Design at Capilano University has built an enduring reputation for industry-prepared graduates.
Check out this year’s unprecedented talent graduating from the IDEA School of Design. Schedule a meeting with our grads before April 15th, 2021 at ideagradshow.ca.
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.
Fourth-year students (IDEA Grad 2021) begin their practicums: Eight-week full-time placements with local companies across Vancouver
IDEA Grad 2021 began their in-person (and virtual) practicums this month with companies across Vancouver. Shown above: Naomi Evers (IDEA Grad 2021) at Porchlight Press.
Students are working in a wide range of branding, packaging, digital design, interactive, advertising, illustration, gaming, motion graphics, animation and retail in-house firms including 123w, Anenome Hug Interactive, Baro Drywear Jackets, Chairman Ting Industries Inc., Danica, Gamomo, If Communications, Jesters Animation, Little Mountain Animation, Metalab, Monday Creative, Pivot & Pilot, Porchlight Press, Pound & Grain, PS Brand, Rethink, Triumf and Will Creative.
Check out some highlights from their first two weeks!
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.
Late Applications for IDEA School of Design Fall 2021 close April 14. Let us help you prepare with Portfolio Day on Saturday, March 12
Study design in North Vancouver at IDEA School of Design!
Entry to the Bachelor of Design program at Capilano University is competitive, and applicants must submit a portfolio and other documents through the online portal SlideRoom.
Shown above: 3-part Book Cover Redesign by Nuha Thayyib (IDEA Grad 2024) as part of her application to IDEA School of Design.
Find out how to apply and check out additional samples of pieces from IDEA Grad 2024 student application portfolios. Let us help you prepare with Portfolio Day on Saturday, March 12!
With a degree in Linguistics and Law & Society from UBC, first year student, Tiffany Zhong (IDEA Grad 2024) finally feels like she is following her passion
Meet first-year student, Tiffany Zhong (IDEA Grad 2024)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.
“I'm just extremely grateful to be pursuing design at IDEA School of Design – it finally feels like I'm following my passion.” she writes.
Read Tiffany’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 students (IDEA Grad 2024) Design Some Very Creative Book Covers for Their Expressive Typography Project
This year's First Year IDEA School of Design students (IDEA Grad 2024) have designed some very creative book covers for their expressive typography project for IDES 142 Survey and Principles of Design II with instructor Vida Jurcic. Here are a few, covering a variety of genres.
"1984 Book Cover" by Anais Bayle (IDEA Grad 2024) inspired by the strict, no-frills society that George Orwell describes in the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) is shown above.
Check out more from this first-year student project!
George Lin (IDEA Grad 2009), Associate Creative Director at john st. Toronto, enjoys solving specific communication problems for mattresses 🛌, fried chicken 🍗 and beer 🍺
We recently caught up with George Lin (IDEA Grad 2009), for a grad spotlight on life after graduating from IDEA School of Design. Congratulations to George on his new job as Associate Creative Director at john st. advertising agency in Toronto!
“It didn’t take long for me to realize that I wasn’t cut out for Fine Arts.” writes George. “I realized that I enjoy solving specific communication problems, so I took a year off to prepare my portfolio to apply for programs in the commercial arts field.”
Check out this grad spotlight!
First year IDEA student, Che Zugazaga (IDEA Grad 2024), sees the process of learning, researching and conceptualizing as magical
Meet first-year student, Che Zugazaga (IDEA Grad 2024)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.
Che wanted to attend IDEA School of Design a decade ago, in her early 20s, and although it didn't turn out that way the Bachelor of Design program was always in the back of her mind.
Read Che’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.
Grace Choi (IDEA Grad 2023) wins Applied Arts 2020 Student Award with 'Lord of the Flies' Book Cover Design
Congratulations to Grace Choi (IDEA Grad 2023) for winning Applied Arts 2020 Student Award with her ‘Lord of the Flies’ book cover design created for IDES 142 - Survey and Principles of Design II instructed by Vida Jurcic at IDEA School of Design.
Check out this award-winning book cover redesign project.
Second Time's the Charm — Imogen Pettyfer (IDEA Grad 2024) didn’t get into IDEA the first time she applied so she strengthened her portfolio with a Communication Design Essentials Certificate
Meet first-year student, Imogen Pettyfer (IDEA Grad 2024)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above. Congratulations to Imogen for having been acknowledged for the academic honour roll for Capilano University!
At IDEA “you are no longer the one and only art kid in your class anymore.” writes Imogen.
Read Imogen’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.