For first year student, Alina Sandu, life at Capilano University’s IDEA School of Design is like living in the fast lane. Self-portrait (shown above). Read Alina’s story for a glimpse into a student’s life in art school.

Study design in Vancouver! Early Applications for Fall 2019 are now open. SlideRoom closes midnight, Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 for Early Admission Applications to the Bachelor of Design at Capilano University.

Our beautiful commemorative poster for CapilanoU’s 50th birthday. Thank you for the lovely design @staples.and.ink. For details see: capu50.capilanou.ca.

The first big design project for 2nd Year this term produced some great work. The students created annual and community reports that really highlighted their conceptual thinking, design and illustration skills. Shown above: Haluka Yagi (IDEA21) Annual Report Design for Braille Literacy Canada. Check out some of our favourites by Anna Tsybulnyk, Haluka Yagi, Sophie Young and Valeriya Kim!

Congratulations to our 2018 GDC/BC Salazar Student Award winners: Alice Zeng (IDEA18), Winner and Finalist (Brand Identity) for City of Valencia Rebrand, Ata Ojani (IDEA20), Finalist (Brand Identity) for Qmunity Building Campaign, Pamella Pinard (IDEA18), Finalist (Print Design) for Rhyme & Reason Lyric Festival branding and posters and Heather Haughn (IDEA20), Honorable Mention (Print Design) for Martin Guitar Annual Report!

Each year at IDEA School of Design students dress up for Halloween and there’s a party. Though there’s a lot of work, there’s a lot of fun too. Sketch “A witchy crow wishes you a happy spooky season!” by first year IDEA22 student, Talia Rouck. Early Applications for Fall 2019 open this Friday, November 2, 2018 and Open Studio Day is this Saturday November 3, 2018!

Curious about going pro?

Twice a year we invite the public to our Open Studio Day, for an overview of the entire program and to show what makes it distinctive from other schools. Plus, it’s a chance to see where the action happens, and meet both faculty and current students. Mark the date: Saturday, November 3rd, 1 – 4 p.m.

We begin at 1 p.m. with a Keynote presentation, followed by studio tours, friendly portfolio reviews, and a drawing session. Shown above: Book cover illustration by Maxwell Littledale (IDEA18).

This project dates back to Cynthia’s first year in IDEA and still keeps its place as one of the most memorable yet “mildly traumatizing” projects for her. She wanted to get more familiar with Adobe Illustrator so this was her opportunity. She kept with a simple theme of animals, limited herself to basic shapes and a limited palette.

The students in IDES 237 Digital Illustration were asked to create a short looping animated gif that reflected their experience as graphic design students. Nicole Shewchuk's 404 Error animated gif is shown above. Check out some of our favourites!

On Sept. 22nd, Capilano University officially marked its fiftieth birthday with CapFest, a campus-wide celebration open to the general public. Part of the festivities involved the dedication of nine newly painted murals. Where does IDEA come in? Nine of the thirteen jury-selected artists hail from the IDEA School of Design, both as alumni and current students. Their varied and vivid contributions have transformed the North Vancouver campus. From left: Capilano University President Paul Dangerfield; Brynn Staples (IDEA Grad 2020); Vancouver Mural Society Executive Director David Vertesi; Emily Huynh, Courtney Lamb, Ata Ojani (all three, IDEA Grad 2020)

This week is Truth & Reconciliation week at Capilano University. Our second-year Indigenous focussed applied design project helps our students understand the complexities and opportunities that come with First Nations reconciliation in Canada.

“Everything is still sunshine and rainbows” for Alice Zeng (IDEA18). She gets to work on a lot of different types of projects spanning a variety of mediums including illustration projects in conjunction with design and branding. "For someone who was torn for the longest time whether to go into design or illustration, being able to have a balance like that was essentially my dream" she says. Her advice to other students: “Hang in there, I promise the workload gets easier in the real world.” Catch up with Alice and her paper flower making skills!

Jeff Burgess mentors four IDEA students in his studio one day a week over the summer which he's been doing for eight years now. The purpose is to create a body of small works that are then exhibited early in September where the students sell their pieces for reasonable prices. Check out the recent paintings by IDEA students Jominca J Engelbrecht, Nicole Shewchuk, Graeme Duckett (shown above), and Heather Haughn including photos from the show!

Drew Young (previous IDEA grad and current art director of Vancouver Mural Festival and Skookum) reached out to IDEA19 students, Cynthia Tran Vo and Ian Kaart for this smaller gig.

Last year IDEA21 students designed album covers and mood boards that capture the spirit of the 1960s psychedelic art movement or the beatnik feel. Shown here is “Psychedelic Gaga” by Anna Tsybulnyk. Check more out!

Instructor, Leanna B Crawford took IDEA20 students on a tour of Noise Digital on Friday March 16th, 2018 for IDES212. From left to right: Rebekah Maurice, Mann Kacharath Chalermwat, Jennifer Panata, and Sydney Toews. Check out more photos!

Capilano University's IDEA School of Design prioritizes soft design skills with unique first-year assignment. The assignment asks first year students to visit Silver Harbour Seniors' Activity Centre in North Vancouver to interview seniors about their experiences and use graphic design to help share an important life lesson. Check out a winning case study by instructor, Dominique Walker.

Shown above from left to right: Laura Pummell, Ryan McDiarmid, Mark Pilon, Michael Wenninger, Emily Powers, Ashley Loo, Jominca Engelbrecht, Jacqueline Duck, and Cynthia Vo. Photo by Dacosta Bayley.

Typographic principles taught throughout the course were put to practice in tradebooks featuring a diverse range of themes. Have a look at of some of the books produced.

Second year students will be selling their Cheeky Valentine's Day Cards at Capilano University's library and cafeteria the week of Feb 5th to 9th, 2018. Check them out. Sales will help support their class field trip next year!

The 2017 IDEA Challenge is an annual event designed to introduce 1st and 2nd students in a friendly, cooperative, creative contest. Check out the photos and the winning team.