Langara College Design Formation Grad Michelle Taylor (IDEA Grad 2023) transfers to 2nd Year of CapU’s IDEA School of Design Bachelor of Design
Last fall, Langara College Design Formation Grad Michelle Taylor transferred to 2nd Year (IDEA Grad 2023) of CapU’s IDEA School of Design Bachelor of Design. We caught up with Michelle to ask her about her experience so far.
“Mini Amigos” (shown above) by Michelle Taylor (IDEA Grad 2023) as part of her application to transfer to IDEA School of Design from Langara Design Formation.
“This drawing is of two Guatemalan dolls I’ve had since birth. The medium I chose for this drawing is ink from a fine point pen. To create the impression of different textures and materials I utilized various pen tip sizes throughout the drawing.”
Michelle Taylor (IDEA Grad 2023)
How did you hear about the transfer opportunity?
I first heard about the transfer opportunity from my former instructor, Marcela Noriega — the current Co-Chair of Design Formation. While speaking of our post-graduation options, Marcela mentioned the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication at Capilano University would soon offer a transfer opportunity to Langara students. Upon hearing this news, I was beyond excited as I would begin my studies at IDEA School of Design as a second-year student.
“Cosmo - Trendy treats for the cosmopolitan cat” by Michelle Taylor (IDEA Grad 2023) as part of her application to transfer to IDEA School of Design from Langara Design Formation
The objective of this assignment was to create an original brand and packaging design for a line of food products found in high-end or specialty grocery stores.
In addition, students were to construct a countertop point of purchase presentation piece that displayed the products with their brand identity.
As inspiration for this project, I used my love for cats to create a line of gourmet cat food products.
Cosmo is a cat food company that caters to pet owners wishing to pamper their furry friend. This brand targets individuals who follow the latest trends-food or otherwise-and have a highly developed flavour profile.
For the packaging of this brand, the colour palette stays true to that of a taxi in hustling New York City. People in this city are always on the go, you can be sure they are constantly searching for the latest and greatest thing.
The graphics on this packing represent each iconic neighbourhood in New York along with an appropriately paired conceptual product.
Why did you decide to apply to IDEA?
After graduating from Langara, applying to IDEA School of Design was a no-brainer. In the past, I’ve only heard positive things about IDEA and I’ve also had personal confirmation about the quality of the program from a few friends that are present/former IDEA students. In addition to IDEA’s respectable reputation, I chose to apply to the program because of its illustration focus alongside design development. Illustration has been a passion of mine for a few years and I knew that IDEA would be an amazing fit to develop both my illustration and design skills further.
“A Word From The Wise” conceptual booklet by Michelle Taylor (IDEA Grad 2023) as part of her application to transfer to IDEA School of Design from Langara Design Formation
The objective of this project was to create and follow a design brief for a final self-directed project.
Inspired by the Design Formation program itself, I created a conceptual booklet that caters to the program's first year students.
This booklet aims to provide incoming students with helpful "insider" information that is easy to understand and absorb.
Through playful visuals and a casual narrative voice, this "tips and tricks" booklet is honest and accessible to a range of new and unaware design students.
What are some highlights of your 1st term in 2nd year at IDEA?
Making new connections with the other students in my grad class has been the highlight of my first term. It can be a little intimidating joining a group late, but everyone was really welcoming when I first introduced myself over Zoom in August 2020!
“Haute Couture Paper Dress” by Michelle Taylor (IDEA Grad 2023) as part of her application to transfer to IDEA School of Design from Langara Design Formation
The objective of this project was to recreate a haute couture gown using paper materials. The couture dress I recreated was originally designed by Georges Heobeika in 2014. For this design solution, I focused on craft and structure when I began constructing the dress. Design Formation’s Paper Dress Exhibition was featured at Oakridge Center Mall in March 2018.
What is your number one idea generation strategy?
When I first begin a project, I find it really helpful to mind-map the old-school way with a pen and piece of paper. Getting my initial ideas down as quickly as possible is key for my creative process and having them in a physical form creates memorability. In the beginning stages of my idea generation, I make sure to write down/sketch out anything that comes to mind. No idea is over-looked/left out because I never know if, in the future, that idea will spark inspiration for a smart design solution! Also, in a classroom (or Zoom) environment, talking to my classmates is another idea generation strategy I utilize. Bouncing ideas back and forth and talking out a design problem with one another person is invaluable and usually leads to a unique solution!
Social Marketing Campaign — “Equal Pay, Equal Work” by Michelle Taylor (IDEA Grad 2023) as part of her application to transfer to IDEA School of Design from Langara Design Formation
The objective of this project was to design a social marketing campaign to inform, promote awareness, and inspire action for a social problem in a multicultural society. In collaboration with my project partner Alejandra Bonilla, we created a campaign that focuses on the issues concerning the gender wage gap. As young, female designers, we felt obligated to create a campaign for the current wage discrepancy in the workforce.
What is the best illustration advice you've learned from a mentor, teacher or fellow student?
I actually received the best illustration advice quite recently and from my Digital Illustration instructor Shayne Letain. Over a Zoom lecture this semester, he mentioned that when we are working on an illustration project in Illustrator, we should always place our initial drawing as the first layer and then create the entire digital illustration in the layers below the original. With the original drawing as the top layer, you can build up the digital illustration without obstructing your view of the original.
“Greatness Through Strength” by Michelle Taylor (IDEA Grad 2023) as part of her application to transfer to IDEA School of Design from Langara Design Formation
The objective of this project was to create a formatted booklet along with a conceptual theme/tagline to promote a paper line from the French Paper Company.
This booklet utilizes the French Paper Company's Construction line to display the concept of strength.
For inspiration, I turned to history's influential women to represent strength in the form of willpower and drive.
This paper sample booklet displays graphics in different mediums to give potential clients information on the line's various qualities and possible applications.
To the left, is a mockup of some of the booklet's outer and inner spreads. In total there are 8 double-sided spreads, but only three are currently shown.
Describe an illustration fail that you learnt from?
A general fail I’ve faced while illustrating has been my overall inefficiency when working within a digital medium. Knowing the shortcuts for Adobe Illustrator (or any digital program) is beyond helpful during any project as well as being familiar with the tools at your disposal. For instance, discovering Illustrator’s Shape-Builder Tool has been a complete game-changer for my illustration efficiency. After watching a few YouTube tutorials, I can design and create a lot smarter with the help of this tool! It’s certainly worth familiarizing yourself with these shortcuts and utilizing these tools for your own sanity!
Illustration Duo- “I Spy” (part one) by Michelle Taylor (IDEA Grad 2023)
The objective of this project was to create two separate illustrations that are connected by a theme or narrative (or both). For this project, the main subject is my cat Lucy. Far too often I find her on the kitchen counter licking away at my breakfast! As for the illustration style, I must credit Niki Usagi. While I was gathering inspiration for this project, I came across her Instagram page and instantly fell in love with her unique style.
What advice do you have to Langara students considering applying to IDEA?
Some advice I would give future Langara transfers would be to brush up on both your design-software and problem-solving skills before beginning the Bachelor of Design program. In my case, I had a whole year in between graduating from Langara and starting my first semester of IDEA, which left me feeling a little rusty getting back in the design mindset and all that accompanies being a student!
Also, in terms of the SlideRoom portfolio, you are required to curate/submit, I highly recommend adding samples of work done in traditional mediums. It’s important to show a range of skills that highlight these traditional means of drawing/illustration, as IDEA School of Design has a strong illustration focus.
See: IDEA School of Design Welcomes Langara College Design Formation Grads to Second Year