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.”
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.
Self-portrait
Stop and Smell the Flowers
Self-portrait mood board by Keira Schick (IDEA Grad 2026)
“The Assignment” by Jay Bassan, Instructor
Create a mood board visualizing your Passion, Super Power, Values, Purpose and differentiation (students can use any medium for this).
“The Goal” by Jay Bassan, Instructor
To have students think clearly about how to imagine themselves as a brand and use their final self-portrait as an expression of that. This becomes one of the more interesting projects since it happens near the end of class and students are now comfortable enough with the camera.
I remind students that similar to sketching, where you decide where to put the pencil, pen, or mouse to compose your drawing, where do you put the camera to capture a moment or tell a story?
I get some interesting work.
Experience so far at IDEA School of Design
It has been an amazing first year. Not only did my techniques and skills improve through the year but I met some great people as well. There was a sense of community within our classroom. Being surrounded by those with similar interests and like-minded people drove me beyond my own expectations. It was hard work but I felt I learnt some valuable things from my friends/classmates and teachers alike. I can’t wait for the next 3 years to come.
Featured Work
Wrong Turn
This art piece was the project I mentioned in my “Breakthrough Moment”. It’s a watercolour and gouache painting of a little gingerbread house in an eery forest. If you look closely you can find little shadow people hiding in the trees. I originally wanted to take inspiration from surrealism but it eventually turned into more of an expressionistic piece. I had an idea in my mind of how I wanted it to turn out but through the process, it started to change. I was hesitant to show my classmates come critique time. But through the support of my classmates, my perspective changed. I realized the alterations I made were for the better and overall I’m very happy with how it turned out!
My Self-Portrait in Comic Style
This project was for Andrew’s life drawing class. We had to draw ourselves as a comic book character. I didn’t really take inspiration from a real hero in a comic book. My only vision was I knew I needed to have a cool cape and sword. To spice it up I thought it’d be cool if I could water bend too! Everything including the flowing waves are done in alcohol markers and a black tip pen.
Home Away From Home
This painting has some sentimental meaning behind it. The scene in the painting (done with watercolour and gouache) is the view from the school parking lot. This view was my first ever impression coming to Capilano and Vancouver as a city as well. I parked in the same spot everyday, so it was the first thing I saw going into school and the same one I saw coming out. It was my home away from home.
Why did you choose IDEA School of Design over other schools?
I love being creative and I felt that this program will help me choose a creative path to follow. The program allowed me to tune into a variety of creative outlets/mediums. I was able to take the skills I was familiar with and expand upon them, and the areas I lacked in I was able to develop further.
“IDEA School of Design’s Bachelor Of Design in Visual Communication is a career-oriented program for the next generation of creative professionals with concentrations in branding, illustration and interactive design. IDEA School of Design’s Interaction Design Diploma is a two-year program with career outcomes in the field of digital product design and user experience.”
“The purpose of your portfolio is to demonstrate your creative potential. We assess portfolios on drawing skill, design and creativity.”
Advice for those considering applying to IDEA School of Design
Don’t doubt yourself or your abilities. Everybody shines in different aspects so don’t shy away from your strengths. But don’t be afraid to venture outside of your comfort zone and try something new. Although it gets overwhelming at times, 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.
"Breakthrough Moments" at IDEA School of Design
One of my breakthrough moments was during a critique session in my illustration class with Shane. I was showing the class a painting I had completed, one that I wasn’t very proud of. But when I showed my classmates, I got immediate compliments. It felt like a relief. I wasn’t too happy with my work but seeing all the positive feedback made me feel although I might not see improvement in myself, everyone else does. That’s what happens when an artist gets so caught up in their work. That day I learned the importance of feedback and the benefits of having such a tight-knit group. It really brought my spirits up.
Summer Highlights
This summer I travelled to Paris and got to experience incredible artwork from hundreds of artists both painters and sculptors. I went to the Louvre and got to see the Mona Lisa by Da Vinci and artworks by Eugene Delacroix, Titian, Caravaggio, etc. Later at the the Musee d'Orsay I got to browse works from Van Gogh, Monet, and Paul Cezanne.
What's your favourite music video?
My favourite music video is Super Tuna by Jin.
