Ben Frey showcases new illustrations in a solo print show; opening reception on Thursday, November 30th in East Vancouver

IDEA School of Design Illustration Instructor and Practicum Supervisor Ben Frey will be showcasing new illustrations in a solo print show at Slice of Life Gallery at the end of November. “Keep Your Cool” runs from November 30th - December 5th, 2023, with an opening reception on Thursday, November 30th from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm.

Check out this instructor spotlight and come to the show!

"Twenty-two and Some Change" by Charlie Wongpisethkul (IDEA Grad 2026)

Meet second-year student, Charlie Wongpisethkul (IDEA Grad 2026)! Their self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught last year by Jay Bassan is shown above.

“My biggest fear before coming to IDEA School of Design was being unable to be creative enough with each project or running out of ideas. But sometime in the middle of the first year I looked back at my work and thought, ‘I can actually do this,’” writes Charlie.

Read Charlie’s story and check out some of their other work for a glimpse into student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.

Emma Do (IDEA Grad 2025) wins Top 10 in CAPIC Rodeo 15 Student Illustration Contest with 'Feathered Kin'

Congratulations to Emma Do (IDEA Grad 2025) for winning the Top 10 in the CAPIC Rodeo 15 student contest for Illustration with “Feathered Kin” (shown above).

Many congratulations to Capilano University's IDEA School of Design students who continue to dominate the CAPIC student awards in illustration!

Check out this award-winning student illustration project!

Tiffany Zhong (IDEA Grad 2024) wins the RGD Trailblazer Award with 'Buddee Nature School'

Congratulations to Tiffany Zhong (IDEA Grad 2024) for winning the RGD Student Trailblazer Award with ‘Buddee Nature School.’

“Buddee is a K-Grade 7 outdoor school that grounds itself in land-based learning and encourages kids to connect to themselves and the land they live and learn on. The target audience was parents and children. The challenge was to not lean too young. The soft yet bold shapes of the logo give off a fun tone. On materials both print and digital, I worked to balance the whimsical parts with bold type so parents can easily find information they need,” writes Tiffany.

Check out this award-winning student design project!

Geraldine Yaris (IDEA Grad 2023) wins Top 10 in CAPIC Rodeo 15 Student Illustration Contest with 'The Lovers Tarot'

Congratulations to Geraldine Yaris (IDEA Grad 2023) for winning the Top 10 in the CAPIC Rodeo 15 student contest for Illustration with “The Lovers Tarot” (shown above).

Many congratulations to Capilano University's IDEA School of Design students who continue to dominate the CAPIC student awards in illustration!

Check out this award-winning student illustration project!

Inscription and Introspection by Mena McGill (IDEA Grad 2026)

Meet second-year student, Mena McGill (IDEA Grad 2026)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught last year by Jay Bassan is shown above.

“My journey at IDEA School of Design has been a transformative one. The 'real-world' environment offered here is incredibly beneficial. My art is all about crafting narratives from the echoes of old stories, and a rustic used bookstore provides the perfect stage for this artistic endeavor,” writes Mena.

Read Mena’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.

Geraldine Yaris (IDEA Grad 2023) wins Top 10 in CAPIC Rodeo 15 Student Illustration Contest with 'Death Tarot'

Congratulations to Geraldine Yaris (IDEA Grad 2023) for winning the Top 10 in the CAPIC Rodeo 15 student contest for Illustration with “Death Tarot” (shown above).

Many congratulations to Capilano University's IDEA School of Design students who continue to dominate the CAPIC student awards in illustration!

Check out this award-winning student illustration project!

Being One with Art by Brendan Hurt (IDEA Grad 2026)

Meet second-year student, Brendan Hurt (IDEA Grad 2026)! His self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught last year by Jay Bassan is shown above.

“I’ve learned more than I have in one year than I did in the last five throughout high school which tells me where my passions truly lie. The material I used as my portfolio at the time was nowhere near the level I work at now,” writes Brendan.

Read Brendan’s story and check out some of his other work for a glimpse into student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.

Stop and Smell the Flowers by Keira Schick (IDEA Grad 2026)

Meet second-year student, Keira Schick (IDEA Grad 2026)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught last year by Jay Bassan is shown above.

“Everybody shines in different aspects so don’t shy away from your strengths. Take one project and day at a time. And try to enjoy it as well!! Managing time wisely and trying new things will get you through the year,” writes Keira.

Read Keira’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.

Natasha Lee (IDEA Grad 2024) wins 1st Place in CAPIC Rodeo 15 Student Illustration Contest with “Smiling Rose”

Congratulations to Natasha Lee (IDEA Grad 2024) for winning the Top 10 in the CAPIC Rodeo 15 student contest for Illustration with “Smiling Rose” (shown above).

Many congratulations to Capilano University's IDEA School of Design students who continue to dominate the CAPIC student awards in illustration!

Check out this award-winning student illustration project!

Sol Yoon (IDEA Grad 2025) wins 2nd Place in CAPIC Rodeo 15 Student Illustration Contest with 'Winter Portrait'

Congratulations to Sol Yoon (IDEA Grad 2025) for winning the Top 10 in the CAPIC Rodeo 15 student contest for Illustration with “Winter Portrait” (shown above).

Many congratulations to Capilano University's IDEA School of Design students who continue to dominate the CAPIC student awards in illustration!

Check out this award-winning student illustration project!

Saturday, Nov. 25 2023 | Explore CapU IDEA School of Design

Are you interested in a creative career as a graphic designer, illustrator, or UX/UI designer? 

Come checkout the in-person open house for CapU’s IDEA School of Design - Nov. 25 2023 from 11:00-2:00 on the CapU Campus. A career-oriented school for the next generation of creative professionals. Now offering a 4-year Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication and a 2-year Interaction Design diploma.

Tiffany Zhong (IDEA Grad 2024) came into IDEA knowing that she was going to take the third-year diploma exit

From the first interview Tiffany had, the third-year diploma exit was something she asked about since she had read about this pathway from some previous IDEA School of Design blog posts.

Tiffany signed on as a Graphic & UI Designer with a local brand and digital agency called The West Harbour in May 2023. On Day 2 she was illustrating, designing, and animating a few projects.

Check out Tiffany's story!