The halfway point of the IDEA Industry Practicum isn’t just a marker on a timeline—it’s a milestone. That moment when students start shifting from feeling like guests in a professional space to fully showing up as team members is exciting to watch. It's even more exciting to hear it from their hosts.

“Tolan has been great as a practicum student so far—and the expectations for IDEA students are pretty high! He’s great at asking questions and clarifying uncertainties before they become problems. His design skills are strong, and his soft skills make him a standout in collaborative settings.”

— Natalie Heaman, NGX

Over the past few weeks, the IDEA Grads of 2025 have stepped into professional environments, tackled real-world challenges, and begun carving out space for themselves within creative teams across the creative industry. They’ve been absorbing new tools, adjusting to unfamiliar workflows, and—most importantly—learning to trust themselves. What’s clear from host feedback and student reflections is this: They’re not just surviving—they’re beginning to move differently in the world. You can see them start to take up space with more clarity and confidence, and that shift is a wonderful thing to witness.

This mid-point is a powerful place. The nerves and anxiety of the first few weeks have begun to fade and be replaced by purpose, momentum, and a growing sense of possibility.

From Students to Colleagues

One of the most heartening themes from this year's hosts has been how quickly our students have become part of the team. The IDEA students are not just showing up—they’re making an impact, building relationships, and getting into the work. Practicum hosts noted that students weren’t just fulfilling expectations but exceeding them.

“Nathan has an amazing attitude and we love working with him. He takes feedback well and comes up with creative designs. He takes the lead on mood boards to communicate ideas and tells us when he is needing more work. Honestly, we are extremely impressed with him.”

— Carolina Ellis, Tidepool Games

Natalie Heaman at NGX offered a thoughtful and detailed reflection on working with Tolan Greyhaven: “Tolan has been great as a practicum student so far—and the expectations for IDEA students are pretty high! He’s great at asking questions and clarifying uncertainties before they become problems. His design skills are strong, and his soft skills make him a standout in collaborative settings.”

She added, “He's done a great job contributing to real work, and I appreciate that he's already making connections across our interdisciplinary team.”

“Alisa has demonstrated a strong creative instinct, consistently bringing fresh and innovative ideas to our projects. She approaches challenges with enthusiasm and brings a collaborative spirit to every meeting. Her positive attitude and willingness to experiment with new concepts have added great energy to our team.”

— Melonie Pennington, MDX Team, Capilano University

Carolina Ellis at Tidepool Games spoke about her experience working with Nathan Aguilar: “Nathan has an amazing attitude and we love working with him. He takes feedback well and comes up with creative designs. He takes the lead on mood boards to communicate ideas and tells us when he is needing more work. Honestly, we are extremely impressed with him.”

Melonie Pennington from the MDX team at Capilano University also spoke highly of Alisa Nguyen: “Alisa has demonstrated a strong creative instinct, consistently bringing fresh and innovative ideas to our projects. She approaches challenges with enthusiasm and brings a collaborative spirit to every meeting. Her positive attitude and willingness to experiment with new concepts have added great energy to our team. We love having Alisa with us.”

She added, “Alisa has a solid foundation in design, and as she continues to grow, developing technical skills and gaining confidence in project management will be key. These are natural next steps for a student on the cusp of graduation—and she’s well on her way.”

Many hosts commented on how students brought a breath of fresh air to their workspaces—eager eyes, thoughtful observations, and a genuine interest in learning. Others appreciated their students’ openness to feedback, quick adaptability, and ability to apply school-taught skills in real-world environments. In short, these practicum students aren’t just present; they are participating, contributing, and elevating the teams around them.

The Challenges Are Real—And So Is the Growth

This journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. Students are candid about the learning curve of adapting to new tools and workflows and the emotional toll of feeling unsure or overwhelmed. Real deadlines, shifting expectations, and the pressure to perform in unfamiliar contexts can all be difficult.

“I’ve stopped waiting for someone to tell me what to do and started figuring things out for myself. That shift has made all the difference.”

— Samantha Yeung, IDEA Student

The growth is undeniable—not despite the discomfort, but because of it. We know that learning happens at the edge of what’s familiar. When students feel challenged, uncertain, or even overwhelmed, that can be the space where transformation begins. These moments of friction have pushed students to ask new questions, try new tools, and build new confidence. Growth doesn’t always look graceful, but it’s happening, and it’s real.

“I struggled with imposter syndrome early on, but now I see that my ideas matter—and that I can make a real impact.”

— Chris Rodgers, IDEA Student

Samantha Yeung shared, “I’ve stopped waiting for someone to tell me what to do and started figuring things out for myself. That shift has made all the difference.” Chris Rodgers echoed a similar growth arc: “I struggled with imposter syndrome early on, but now I see that my ideas matter—and that I can make a real impact.”

Process Over Perfection

Students are also starting to rethink their relationship with the creative process. That tension between wanting to get things just right and needing to get things out there is something we talk about a lot in design school, and practicum brings that lesson home. As the weeks unfold, there’s a growing awareness that iteration is not just inevitable; it’s essential.

“You can’t art direct a finished project.”

— Mariko Whitley, Best Studio

**Ananya Suresh Kumar Eriyat**
Open the Woodtype drawers and staring at them in awe.

Mariko Whitley of Best Studio put it beautifully: “You can’t art direct a finished project.” That line has stuck with me this term. It’s a reminder that real feedback—the kind that helps make the work better—can only happen if you let people in before it's done. Holding back until something feels polished often means missing the opportunity to grow through collaboration.

“I used to think I needed to present polished, complete work to be taken seriously. But now I realize that inviting feedback early makes my work stronger—and helps me feel more connected to my team.”

— Phoebe Verdon, IDEA Student

Phoebe Verdon captured this shift in mindset when she said, “I used to think I needed to present polished, complete work to be taken seriously. But now I realize that inviting feedback early makes my work stronger—and helps me feel more connected to my team.”

This is the kind of shift that happens when students stop designing for approval and start designing for impact.

**Tolan Greyhaven**
Collaborating with a Producer and Content Strategist to present to a group of UBC Science graduate students on the NGX process of Design, User Testing, and User Flows—exploring how these principles connect to Science Communication and interactive exhibit design.

The Power of Mentorship

The feedback from hosts was filled with care, encouragement, and thoughtful advice. Many made time to offer detailed insights into their students’ strengths and suggestions for what to work on in the second half of the semester. Whether it was speaking up more in meetings, managing time with greater confidence, or leaning into creative risk-taking, these messages were grounded in something even more generative: curiosity.

Curiosity about where each student might go next. Curiosity about how their voice will evolve. A sense of openness to growth, to possibility, and to the idea that the best work often emerges from the questions we’re still asking.

This kind of mentorship isn’t about top-down instruction; it’s about offering a hand, making space, and trusting the practicum students to step into it in their own way. It’s in those small, often quiet moments—when a student starts to click into their confidence, offers up an idea that shifts the direction of a project, or starts to advocate for their own role—that we see the real impact.

From the student side, we’ve heard just how much this kind of mentorship matters. They’ve been generous in sharing what it feels like to be seen, trusted, and taken seriously by their hosts. Some were invited to client meetings. Others were asked to take the lead on deliverables. For many, it’s those small moments that linger—the quiet affirmation that they’re doing well, that they belong, and that their creativity makes a difference.

We want to extend our deepest thanks to the creative professionals and host companies who have taken our students under their wing. You’re not only shaping work—you're shaping people. Your generosity, patience, and genuine engagement make a profound difference. Thank you for making space at the creative table.

**Lily Rosen**
A sell sheet for June Science's FastMelt supplement products.

A Moment of Pride

My takeaway from this midway check-in is that everyone involved—the practicum students, the IDEA instructors, and our industry hosts—should feel proud. I feel privileged to observe these quiet, often internal shifts in students where they start to see themselves differently and that they are more capable, more ready than they have ever been. It’s incredibly moving to watch that unfold in real time. I am proud of their resilience, curiosity, and creativity.

**Jacob Chong**
Here is a photo from Beaumont Studios where Roz often gets her coffee and the hats they have.

“Alisa has a solid foundation in design, and as she continues to grow, developing technical skills and gaining confidence in project management will be key. These are natural next steps for a student on the cusp of graduation—and she’s well on her way.”

— Melonie Pennington, MDX Team, Capilano University

**Yohahnah Loker**
Working desks must have snacks.

Practicum is about more than skills development. It’s about stepping into professional identity. It’s about learning how to ask for help, how to advocate for ideas, and how to respond to feedback with openness and confidence.

Learning doesn’t stop when the practicum is “done”, when the degree is complete, or when a creative project is finished. Each milestone is a leap forward to the next stages of personal, professional, and creative growth.

Halfway There: A Moment to Reflect on Growth, Gratitude, and Grit

From Students to Colleagues

The Challenges Are Real—And So Is the Growth

Process Over Perfection

The Power of Mentorship

A Moment of Pride

IDEA School of Design 
Capilano University

Call: 604 990 7820

Email:  idea@capilanou.ca

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Halfway There: A Moment to Reflect on Growth, Gratitude, and Grit

From Students to Colleagues

The Challenges Are Real—And So Is the Growth

Process Over Perfection

The Power of Mentorship

A Moment of Pride

Meet Kyla Seguiban: Glitching Reality and Redefining Design

3rd-Year IDEA School of Design Students Explore Pottery in East Vancouver

IDEA School of Design Capilano University

Call: 604 990 7820

Email: idea@capilanou.ca

Industry Advisors

IDEA School of Design 
Capilano University

Email:  idea@capilanou.ca