Get Live Portfolio Feedback at Explore CapU Virtual Open House | Saturday Nov. 21st 2020 @ 1:00-3:00 pm

Get Live Portfolio Feedback at Explore CapU Virtual Open House | Saturday Nov. 21st 2020 @ 1:00-3:00 pm

Are you interested in a career as a graphic designer, art director, illustrator, concept artist, or interactive designer? Want to be part of the next generation of creative professionals? Learn your craft and develop your skill in visual expression at CapU.

We can’t say enough great things about the IDEA Bachelor of Design (BDes) program. We’ve been a huge supporter for years and have hired many of our outstanding designers from there.
— IF Communications

Join us for our traditional Open Studio Day - online! during the Explore CapU Open House November 19-21, 2020. * Registration required to access the event.

Starting with a keynote presentation, we will then offer zoom breakout rooms for individual portfolio feedback — Digitally share your portfolio or sketchbook for some friendly 1-1 feedback from our faculty!

Portfolio submission: ‘Selkie Queen’ by Megan Barry (IDEA Grad 2023)Watercolour, pencil crayon and pen on paper. This illustration was inspired by a story which I listened to as a child about a selkie. Selkies (or "seal people") are figures from Sco…

Portfolio submission: ‘Selkie Queen’ by Megan Barry (IDEA Grad 2023)

Watercolour, pencil crayon and pen on paper. This illustration was inspired by a story which I listened to as a child about a selkie. Selkies (or "seal people") are figures from Scottish folklore who can change from seal to human form by shedding their skin. I put the figure of the selkie right in the middle to give her a regal bearing, and then played with the framing in the background to add interest. I embellished her hair and several other details in the piece with silver pen, so she sparkles a little in the light, which adds a magical touch.

Every year IDEA Bachelor of Design (BDes) produces top-quality talent ready for battle.
— Sean Carter / Principal / Carter Hales Design Lab
Portfolio submission: ‘Euphoria’ by Michelle Lussier (IDEA Grad 2024)This was project where I depicted what my form of euphoria was. Breakfast brings me joy when I wake up to nice hot meal, flowers bring me happiness with their vibrant colours, and …

Portfolio submission: ‘Euphoria’ by Michelle Lussier (IDEA Grad 2024)

This was project where I depicted what my form of euphoria was. Breakfast brings me joy when I wake up to nice hot meal, flowers bring me happiness with their vibrant colours, and the little petal-like shapes throughout the entire painting are shapes that I have seen since childhood which I always relate these shapes to a sense of calm.

The Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication is a four-year degree program with exciting career outcomes offered by the IDEA School of Design at Capilano University. You can specialize in branding, illustration, or interactive design beginning in third year, and work outside school in a two-month industry practicum in fourth year. Our culture is collaborative, our instructors are dedicated, and our students grow into creative professionals.

IDEA does an amazing job at preparing us for the industry (honestly, I am so grateful because they made us incredibly work-ready).
— Maria Centola (IDEA Grad 2016)

It’s always a good idea to visit a prospective school, and we love to meet talented young people, even those still in Grade 10 or 11. Parents are very welcome too! We invite you to come and find out what makes our program different from others, and find out if you see yourself in this highly creative environment – a stepping stone to a highly creative career!

Do it when you know you can give it 100 percent. Yes, anyone in the program will benefit by just being around great talent, but if you really submerge yourself and absorb as much as the program has to offer, you’ll come out of the other side with skills you never knew you would gain.
— Shy Smardon (IDEA Grad 2016), designer
Portfolio submission: ‘Lunch on the Bus’ by Natasha Lee (IDEA Grad 2024)Medium: Gel pens and Copic markers on paper.A quick and fun sketch of my lunch assortment. This sketch was created on my bus ride to the Grand Canyon. As the commuting time was …

Portfolio submission: ‘Lunch on the Bus’ by Natasha Lee (IDEA Grad 2024)

Medium: Gel pens and Copic markers on paper.

A quick and fun sketch of my lunch assortment. This sketch was created on my bus ride to the Grand Canyon. As the commuting time was very long, I contented myself by drawing the contents of lunch sets we were provided.

As I did not want to disturb other passengers on the enclosed bus with fumes from my alcohol-based markers, I took reference photos of the food products and added the colouring after I returned from the trip.

Explore CapU Open House Schedule

  • Keynote Presentation | Friday Nov. 20th 2020 @ 9:00-10:00 am

  • Virtual Booth | Saturday Nov. 21st 2020 @ 8:30-10:30 am

  • Live Portfolio Feedback | Saturday Nov. 21st 2020 @ 1:00-3:00 pm

We invite you to check out our program and find out what makes us different from other art and design schools in the Lower Mainland. We also recommend you talk to professionals already working in the industry, and ask many questions before choosing where to spend the next 4 years of your life!

Portfolio Application

The purpose of your portfolio is to demonstrate your creative potential. We assess portfolios on drawing skill, design and creativity.
— IDEA School of Design, Capilano University
Put in what you love, not what you think people will love. Make sure to show the range of what you can do. Find someone to give you feedback! and start early!
— Advice on applying to IDEA School of Design from IDEA Grad 2023

Do you have a friend to refer to IDEA?

If you know someone interested in the B.Des program or someone who should be on our radar please share these event details with them.

Evelyn Chua (IDEA Grad 2020) wins 2020 ADCC Student Competition Finalist in Graphic Design with 'SURPLUS – Produce Delivered'

Evelyn Chua (IDEA Grad 2020) wins 2020 ADCC Student Competition Finalist in Graphic Design with 'SURPLUS – Produce Delivered'

Janelle Momotani (IDEA Grad 2022) wins 2020 ADCC Student Competition Finalist in Graphic Design with 'Crickies Cookies'

Janelle Momotani (IDEA Grad 2022) wins 2020 ADCC Student Competition Finalist in Graphic Design with 'Crickies Cookies'