First-year students (IDEA Grad 2023) offer their advice and experiences applying to IDEA School of Design

by Connie Low (IDEA Grad 2023)

So, you’re interested in applying to the Bachelor of Design (aka IDEA) program and want to know more about the application process? Then you’ve come to the right place! The first-year students of IDEA 23 have offered up their advice and experiences with applying to the program and how they got in. Hopefully, this will give you more insight and direction on what you should do with your application. 

Shown above: Tortle Kimberly-Stevens by Connie Low (IDEA23) as part of her application. Tortle Kimberly-Stevens (or Kimberly for short) is a gargoyle sculpture with a human baby face and hands.

What Do I Need For The Application?

Have a strong portfolio:

When you apply to IDEA you’ll need a portfolio with your best pieces that showcase your potential. The most common advice IDEA 23 has to give is that you should take your time when making your pieces. If you have to wait until the Late Admission period, then that’s okay! It’s better to have a portfolio you are proud of than to have a portfolio you threw together at the last minute. Also, be sure to take advantage of your resources! Attend portfolio reviews and ask for feedback from teachers, professors, and other people in the industry. 

Letters of reference:

If you have two letters of reference that can personally highlight your accomplishments and why you are suitable for IDEA then it increases your credibility. Make sure to try and ask people who can vouch for your work with specific examples! 

Written documents:

When you apply to IDEA you’ll also be asked to write about an illustrator and graphic designer that inspires you and what you like about their work. Try to think about who inspires you and what kind of work you like best and do some research to show your background knowledge of the industry. 

‘Moths’ paper and felt by Connie Low (IDEA23) as part of her student application

What Should I Put in My Portfolio?

You should try and include a variety of media in your work. Having a range of media shows that you’re willing to experiment and that you have the potential to become a well-rounded professional. The most common pieces that we put in our portfolios were illustrations, life drawings, and photography. However, what you put in your portfolio should be based on what you believe you are best at, and what you are passionate about. We all spent different amounts of time on our portfolios – some of us spent a few months creating new content while others had a range from a few years back. Make sure to spend time on your portfolio and don’t be worried about other people taking more or less time than you. Do things at your own pace. Finally, you should make sure that the photos of your work are well-lit and of high quality. You want to be sure that people can see all the details in your work that you put so much effort into making! 

Gouache landscape of Fort Langley by Connie Low (IDEA Grad 2023)
Class: Survey and Principles of Illustration I
Instructor: Jeff Burgess

Some Final Advice from IDEA 23: 

“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!”

“IDEA School of Design—Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication at Capilano University—is a career-oriented program for the next generation of creative professionals, with concentrations in branding, illustration and interactive design. We’re located on Canada’s beautiful west coast in North Vancouver, British Columbia.”

Entry to the Bachelor of Design is competitive, and applicants must submit a portfolio and other documents through the online portal SlideRoom.

Early Admission: Slideroom closes January 22, 2020.

Late Admission: Slideroom opens February 14, 2020 and closes April 15, 2020.

No submissions will be accepted after Wednesday, April 15, 2020.

Find more portfolio advice at capilanou.ca/idea.