4th-year students (IDEA Grad 2020) begin two-month practicums across Vancouver today!

4th-year students (IDEA Grad 2020) begin two-month practicums across Vancouver today!

IDEA Grad 2020 are ready for practicum lift-off! 4th-year practicums start today, Monday, February 24, 2020! The final course in our four-year degree program is an eight-week full-time placement in a local Vancouver company.

These placements will give our students' some great hands-on experience to prepare them for the job market. It will give their résumés a boost and provide some excellent professional references, a few may even end in job offers. Shown above: IDEA Grad 2020.

Branding

Our 8 branding concentration students will be working in local branding and packaging agencies as well as in-house environments—Danielle Adams (Triumf), Teresa Cantu Villalobos (Brandever), Mann Chalermwat (If Communications), Heather Haughn (Rethink), Emily Huynh (Engine Digital), Noah Kawamura (Will Creative), Ata Ojani (Native Shoes) and Sydney Toews (Arithmetic Creative).

I am excited to work alongside a team that cares so deeply about conceptual thinking and brand storytelling.
— Sydney B Toews (IDEA Grad 2020)
My practicum is at Brandever, they are a branding agency focused on labels and packaging. I am very very excited as I wanted to study design with the hopes to design labels for a living and I am fortunate enough to do my practicum with an amazing company that does exactly that!!!
— Teresa Cantu Villalobos (IDEA Grad 2020)
I’m super happy to have landed Will! There are still some unknowns and I’m nervous about making a good impression, but I’m also encouraged by how welcoming their communication has been. I’m looking forward to working with a stellar creative team.
— Noah Kawamura (IDEA Grad 2020)
I did a mentorship with Engine Digital, and was inspired by the thinking behind their process, I knew then I needed to do my practicum there.
— Emily Huynh (IDEA Grad 2020)
We can’t say enough great things about the IDEA program. We’ve been a huge supporter for years and have hired many of our outstanding designers from there.
— IF Communications
In 2019 Laura Pummell went to 123 West

In 2019 Laura Pummell went to 123 West

Illustration

Our 4 illustration concentration students will be working in illustration, gaming and animation firms—Graeme Duckett (Hothead Games), Isaac Mak (Giant Ant), Charis Wang (Jesters) and Evalyn Zhang (Bazoof)!

My practicum is at Giant Ant, an animation/motion-graphics focused creative studio. The team there are fantastic artists/creatives whose work I super-admire, so I’m nervous about my ability to keep up, but equally, if not more excited to learn from the best.
— Isaac Mak (IDEA Grad 2020)
My practicum is at Bazoof. They publish magazines for children. I feel excited and a little bit scared at the same time, but I know my practicum at Bazoof will be a wonderful experience.
— Yiling (Evalyn) Zhang (IDEA Grad 2020)

Interactive

Our 2 interactive concentration students will be working at digital design agencies—Evelyn Chua (We The Collective) and Danica Koller (Turtle Design).

Jennifer Panata is going to Carter Hales where she’ll be working alongside past grads.

Jennifer Panata is going to Carter Hales where she’ll be working alongside past grads.

Non Concentration

Our 9 non-concentration students will be working at a wide range of Vancouver companies from in-house agencies to design, advertising, branding and interactive studios—Nina Chwelos (Arcteryx), Stephany Gibson (Vega), Nada Hayek (Rethink), Courtney Lamb (Engine Digital), Rebekah Maurice (Danica Imports), Riley O'Dell (Twice Brand), Jennifer Panata (Carter Hales), Nicole Shewchuk (Full Punch) and Brynn Staples (DDB).

Vega is a protein and supplement company. As a Vega consumer I’m nervous and excited to see the design methods behind a brand I’ve been a long time fan of!
— Stephany L Gilson (IDEA Grad 2020)
Honestly, I’m feeling pretty scared, but most things I’m proud I accomplished so far in life had me feeling that way in the beginning—it’s a good sign.
— Nada C Hayek (IDEA Grad 2020)
I’m feeling a bit of nerves, but mostly anticipation and excitement to start my practicum and do meaningful work.
— Nicole M Shewchuk (IDEA Grad 2020)
For the practicums, we had to apply and go through an interview process. For the interview at Engine Digital, they gave us an hour to present our work and ask questions. They offered me a spot for practicum, where I will be working alongside my classmate Emily Huyn and former IDEA graduate Rhian Tate. I’m nervous but excited to be working with the team at Engine Digital!
— Courtney Lamb (IDEA Grad 2020)
My practicum is at Danica Imports. Danica studio makes house wares and stationery products with illustrations on them. It is an in-house practicum that includes product design and packaging. I’m feeling excited their work aligns with what I like to do best and Andrea has made me feel welcome sending me details ahead of time about who I’ll be working with and what on and office details about the fridges, office workouts, etc.
— Rebekah Maurice (IDEA Grad 2020)
Every year IDEA produces top quality talent ready for battle.
— Sean Carter / Principal / Carter Hales Design Lab

IDES 490 Industry Practicum is an experiential learning course that takes place primarily off campus. Students work within a studio/agency environment or with a personal mentor in a capacity related to visual communication.

IDEA School of Design at Capilano University has always had a strong connection with the Vancouver creative industry. We have deepened our involvement through the launch of our fourth-year practicums now in their third year.

We wish our students all the best as they transition from school to work and will keep you abreast of how our students are getting along in their new roles in the coming weeks.

Jennifer Panata (IDEA20) gains RGD Honourable Mention for Placemaking Design

Jennifer Panata (IDEA20) gains RGD Honourable Mention for Placemaking Design

Introducing first year Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication student, Jamie Kusack (IDEA Grad 2023)

Introducing first year Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication student, Jamie Kusack (IDEA Grad 2023)