Early Applications for IDEA School of Design Fall 2022 begin Monday, November 8, 2021 on SlideRoom
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. Entry to the Bachelor of Design is competitive, and applicants must submit a portfolio and other documents through the online portal SlideRoom.
Applications for Fall 2022 open Monday, November 8, 2021. Explore CapU Virtual Open House is on Saturday, November 20, 2021 (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.).
Shown above: “Cut off” digital painting by Lauren Howard (IDEA Grad 2025) as part of her application portfolio.
“This is my most recent digital painting. When creating it I didn’t have a specific message I wanted to convey. However I did have the concept in mind for a while and wanted to expand on it. I also wanted to use it as an opportunity to diversify my typical subject matter and experiment with rendering different textures. In this piece I was focusing on the metal chains, frilly sock and shoes texture. I named this illustration “cut off” because several elements seem like they’ve been disconnected. More obviously the leg but also the chain that’s been snapped in half. The composition of the painting also causes the chains to look staggered and interrupted by the pink/ black background.”
Below are additional samples from first year student application portfolios. See Student Applications on our blog for more samples.
Portfolio submission: “Matches” by Lauren Howard (IDEA Grad 2025)
I designed this piece to give some perspective on the average amount of teenagers who typically smoke during high school in North America. I based the percentages on statistics online. All the matches represent a student body and the lit/burnt-out matches represent the percentage of students experimenting with smoking. I chose a charcoal background with a grainy texture to references ash, which I thought was fitting with the theme of the design.
Portfolio submission: “Smoke and Ribs” illustration by Lauren Howard (IDEA Grad 2025)
This is a digital illustration commenting on the effects that smoking can cause on your lungs. I used matches and a rib cage instead of cigarettes and lungs imagery because I thought it was slightly less overdone but still used a fleshy pink colour in the background of the piece to elude to lungs. The smoke in the illustration is more fluid and abstract so it could contrast against the rigid form of the bones. This and a few of the other pieces in my portfolio were a part of my AP final project so they have a similar subject matter because the theme way substance abuse.
“Be prepared, attend an open house, don’t put it off, show a lot of variety, have fun!”
“Futura Poster” by Angela Aguilar (IDEA Grad 2025)
A typographic poster made to inform the viewer of, and to showcase Paul Renner's typeface, Futura. Complimentary colours and basic shapes with negative space were used to compliment the sans-serif geometric typeface and to accentuate the portrait of Paul Renner in the background.
“The purpose of your portfolio is to demonstrate your creative potential. We assess portfolios on drawing skill, design and creativity.”
“Blackpink - Jennie Stylized Portrait” by P. Verdon (IDEA Grad 2025)
Here is a digital drawing that I illustrated and animated using Adobe Photoshop. I wanted to develop my art style, so I drew Jennie from the K-pop group Blackpink.
For full details on how to apply, including what is expected in a portfolio, please visit our website at capilanou.ca/idea.
Early Admission: SlideRoom opens Friday, Nov 5, 2021, and closes Wednesday, Jan 26, 2022.
Late Admission: SlideRoom 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.
“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!”
Important Note: Candidates must first apply to Capilano University at capilanou.ca/admissions before applying to the Bachelor of Design.
See also:
“Study design specialties such as branding, illustration, and interactive design in Vancouver!”
