Several students in our first year, IDEA Grad 2026, had previous careers including a professional cross-country skier, pastry chef, and hairstylist. As part of our student blog committee, Sarah Gee (shown above in her previous career as a hair stylist) helped pull together this backstory on what inspired them to change careers and join the IDEA School of Design.

Check out this story for a glimpse into student life before and during IDEA!

Meet second-year student, Ananya Eriyat (IDEA Grad 2025)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.

“In Mumbai, India, students are expected to confer to the course norms and not break out. Here at IDEA, the priority is to reinterpret the scope of a course and expand the possibilities within. This has been a big change for me,” writes Ananya.

Read Ananya’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.

Get to know the personalities of IDEA Grad 2026 through their taste in music and music videos! We wish them all ultimate success as they embark on a 4-year Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication degree. Applications for IDEA School of Design Fall 2022 will open in November 2022.

Special thanks to MESH and Sarah for making the group photo happen during lunch hour!

In third year at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University, students choose their concentration. Concentrations include branding, illustration, UI/UX and non-concentration. Check out this blog story to find out why IDEA Grad 2023 chose the concentrations they did!

Jenna Weind (IDEA Grad 2025 Cohort 1) was commissioned to do a mural this summer.

“I was commissioned to do a mural with full creative freedom for the size of 12’3” w and 8’1” t. I took around 16 hours to complete, I used chalk markers and chalk paint.” writes Jenna.

Check out this story including the original sketch and some process work.

Tiffany Zhong (IDEA Grad 2024) was selected for the mural community grant from Student Affairs!

“They were looking to create a mural in the reception area of the space to welcome students looking to access a variety of services. They wanted a design that was colourful, lively, and warm that encapsulates CapU student life,” writes Tiffany.

Check out Tiffany’s mural project!

It's back to school for Grad 2025! Get to know the personalities of our first double cohort, IDEA Grad 2025, through their taste in music and music videos! We wish them all ultimate success as they continue their IDEA experience! Applications for IDEA School of Design Fall 2023 will open in November!

It's back to school for Grad 2025! Get to know the personalities of our first double cohort, IDEA Grad 2025, through their taste in music and music videos! We wish them all ultimate success as they continue their IDEA experience! Applications for IDEA School of Design Fall 2023 will open in November!

Meet first-year student, Rachel Caelum (IDEA Grad 2025)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.

“I first came across the IDEA School of Design by stalking the multiple class Instagram pages. I love the environment the cohort creates, it’s allowed me to come out of my shell more and grow with like-minded individuals. Getting to try a little bit of everything before choosing your focus area makes a strong multifaceted creator who can keep up in the ever-changing industry.” writes Rachel.

Read Rachel’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.

Meet first-year student, Sophia Spanos McGill (IDEA Grad 2025)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.

“I tried to channel the part of me that doesn’t like to be perceived into the portrait: It’s messy and chaotic, I layered many images of myself on top of each other, so that it’s hard to see the proper outlines of one or the other. I had so much fun putting this together!” writes Sophia.

Read Sophia’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.

Meet first-year student, Sol Yoon (IDEA Grad 2025)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.

“When I was applying to the IDEA School of Design, the idea of forming a community with other artists at IDEA and exchanging feedback with them felt like a studio or company experience to me.” writes Sol.

Read Sol’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.

We recently asked our fourth-year students (shown above) to share some advice to IDEA Grad 2024 and 2025 as they finish up the Fall term and prepare for their industry practicums.

Check out their advice in this blog story!

Early Applications for IDEA School of Design Fall 2022 are open now on SlideRoom.

Last month, Imogen Pettyfer (IDEA Grad 2024) hosted a student meetup between First Year Cohort 01 (IDEA Grad 2025), Second Year (IDEA Grad 2024), and Fourth Year (IDEA Grad 2022).

The lunch took place outside on campus under the Kéxwusm-áyakn ceremonial pavilion between Arbutus and Alder during the noon hour.

Early Applications for IDEA School of Design Fall 2022 begin Monday, November 8, 2021, on SlideRoom.

Enjoy these photos by Imogen Pettyfer (IDEA Grad 2024).

Entry to the Bachelor of Design is competitive, and applicants must submit a portfolio and other documents through the online portal SlideRoom.

Second-year students (IDEA Grad 2024) offer their advice to students applying to the Bachelor of Design (BDes) program at Capilano University. We hope a first-hand student perspective will give you more insight and direction on the application process.

Applications for Fall 2022 open Friday, November 5, 2021. Explore CapU Virtual Open House is on Saturday, November 20, 2021 (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.).

Check out this story!

Meet second-year student, Aibhlin Fowlie (IDEA Grad 2024)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.

Read Aibhlin’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.

Get to know the personalities of our first double cohort, IDEA Grad 2025, through their taste in music and music videos! We wish them all ultimate success as they embark on a 4-year Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication degree. Applications for IDEA School of Design Fall 2022 will open Friday, November 5, 2021.

Get to know the personalities of our first double cohort, IDEA Grad 2025, through their taste in music and music videos! We wish them all ultimate success as they embark on a 4-year Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication degree. Applications for IDEA School of Design Fall 2022 will open Friday, November 5, 2021.

Last fall, Emily Carr graduate, Alex Westcott, transferred to 3rd Year (IDEA Grad 2022) of CapU’s IDEA School of Design Bachelor of Design. We just caught up with Alex to ask her about her experience at IDEA School of Design so far.

Check out this student spotlight!

Meet first-year student, Freya Emery (IDEA Grad 2024)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.

“My experience with the IDEA School of Design has been truly amazing. I became a stronger version of myself, and it’s only been what…. six months now *mindblown* 🤯” she writes.

Read Freya’s story and check out some of her other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.

Meet first-year student, Ethan Woronko (IDEA Grad 2024)! His self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.

“My style evolved more in the first few months at IDEA School of Design than in the year and a half leading up to it!” writes Ethan.

Read Ethan’s story and check out some of his other work for a glimpse into first-year student life at IDEA School of Design at Capilano University.