“Quiet Growth” by Maren Brophy (IDEA Grad 2026)
Meet third-year student, Maren Brophy (IDEA Grad 2026)! Her first-year self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.
“IDEA has been a transformative experience for me so far. My skills have grown substantially. I can’t wait to see what’s in store.”
Read Maren’ 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, “Quiet Growth”
In my first months at IDEA School of Design’s Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication degree program, I put a lot of pressure on myself to improve as a person and as an artist. I struggled to allow myself to pause, caught in a cycle of thinking I needed to be constantly productive. Stepping back, I realized that in order to be productive I also needed to take time to rest and reflect. This mindset shift allowed me to start enjoying my journey as a student more, inspiring the concept behind this photo: the realization that the quiet and slow moments were also a part of growing. This was taken in the corner of my room and with my blind half down, the noon light naturally produced the soft shadows and light I wanted to emulate: no editing needed.
“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
IDEA has been a transformative experience for me so far. My skills have grown substantially. The sense of community created by our uniquely tight-knit and small classes has created a support group that motivates and inspires me. IDEA is hard work no doubt about it, but with the support of my instructors and peers, I have found myself reaching new creative highs. Being a part of IDEA has made me even more passionate about design and art than I was before and I can’t wait to see what's in store.
Highlights from 1st year at IDEA School of Design
The biggest highlight from the first year for me was getting to know my classmates and bonding with my peers. Prior to IDEA, I had yet to get the opportunity to work so closely with a group of other creatives. I discovered how collaborating and learning from my peers enhanced my creativity and improved skills quicker than ever before. The support provided by the group was also incredibly motivating which helped me overcome the learning curves that come with first year.
Highlights from Second Year at IDEA School of Design
Just being back in the classroom was the highlight. I was surprised at how my confidence and skills had significantly increased when I returned for my second year. It's been encouraging and exciting to witness such a jump in my development.
What is your concentration for third year?
Non-con, short for no concentration!
Why did you pick this concentration?
I came into IDEA School of Design primarily interested in Illustration, but after being exposed to graphic design and UX/UI I developed a strong interest in those areas as well. Not picking a concentration allows me to explore all those areas. Furthermore, I wanted more freedom to curate my portfolio based on what projects I thought would support my career best.
Featured Work
Portfolio Duo - Danger at Sea
This piece was created for an assignment where we had to display a concept/story in only two drawings. The story behind these two pieces is that a ship is coming towards a lighthouse, trying to get out of a storm. It's revealed in the second panel that the lighthouse keeper is a siren (a creature known in mythology for leading sailors to their deaths). I took extra care in rendering the atmosphere of the piece to convey the dark and foreboding tone of the narrative.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Book cover
This was a book cover for the 1886 novella “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Louis Stevenson. I chose a bold graphic style as a way to breathe new life and modernize this classic tale. The black and red monochromatic colour palette is inspired by the gothic/horror themes of the story. Illustration-wise, I wanted to portray the overarching themes of duality and the battle of inner/external self found throughout the novella.
Storm Chasers - short comic
“Storm Chasers” is a short comic done for an illustration class which follows two storm chasers who are on the hunt for a catastrophic storm. However, when the two arrive at where the storm is supposed to be occurring, they are met with only a single cloud. The final panel shows that the storm they were hoping to catch occurs that night while they are asleep.
Why did you choose IDEA School of Design over other schools?
When applying for post-secondary, I knew I wanted a program that would help me break into the creative industry. IDEA School of Design was just what I was looking for as it gives students industry connections, environment, and curriculum to help them succeed in the workforce. The curriculum is expansive and constantly adapting which helps IDEA School of Design graduates maintain relevant skills and IDEA School of Design’s close connections with the industry have given me the opportunity to meet and learn from professionals. Furthermore, the collaborative classroom environment has taught me important soft skills that will help me achieve my goal of being a successful designer in the industry after graduation.
“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
My biggest piece of advice is don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. There’s a safety net that school provides that you won’t have when working a professional job, so use your time within the program to experiment and try new things. I’d also advise to not get too wrapped up in the technical execution of your work, and try to focus on the idea behind it. The backbone of so many of our projects is less about the medium, and more about the thinking. This advice also applies to students who are trying to get into the program. IDEA is such a versatile experience and I think instructors/faculty are looking to see if you will be able to adapt to different creative challenges and how you can think outside the box.
"Breakthrough Moments" at IDEA School of Design
One notable breakthrough moment for me was my first full class critique session. Presenting my work in front of my peers and instructors for the first time was definitely nerve-wracking, but once I got over the initial fear, I realized how beneficial it was to be able to share and discuss my work with a group. Being able to collaborate and share my ideas with my classmates and teachers has helped me produce some of my strongest work yet.
What's your favourite music video?
Melancholy Hill - Gorillaz
