Explore stories from the IDEA School of Design
IDEA School of Design welcomes its first double cohort, Grad 2025! Check out the playlist from Cohort 1!
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.
Kathrin Teh (IDEA Grad 2023) wins the 2021 GDC Foundation Ray Hrynkow Scholarship Award with 'Reclaiming Indigenous Names'
Many congratulations to Kathrin Teh (IDEA Grad 2023) for winning the 2021 GDC Foundation Ray Hrynkow Scholarship Award with “Reclaiming Indigenous Names” campaign design. Course: IDES 244 Design Studio II with Tom Duguid.
We’re delighted to have our students’ work and ideas recognized by the GDC on this national platform. It reflects well on the program and provides the students with added confidence as they prepare to enter the industry.
Check out this award-winning student project!
3rd year transfer student Alex Westcott (IDEA Grad 2022) from Emily Carr did an amazing job jumping head first into Interaction Design
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!
Harlen Betrand (IDEA Grad 2023) wins the 2021 GDC Foundation Cheryl Lynn Rutledge Northern Indigenous Student Award
Many congratulations to Harlen Betrand (IDEA Grad 2023) for winning the 2021 GDC Foundation Cheryl Lynn Rutledge Northern Indigenous Student Award for “SOCAN Annual Report” and “Total Recall” movie poster illustration and design. Harlen is from the Fort Nelson First Nation.
We’re delighted to have our students’ work and ideas recognized by the GDC on this national platform. It reflects well on the program and provides the students with added confidence as they prepare to enter the industry.
Check out these award-winning student projects!
The Devil's in the Details — Jaime Gervais (IDEA Grad 2013) Illustrator and Graphic Designer for TV and Film
We recently caught up with Jaime Gervais (IDEA Grad 2013), for a grad spotlight on life after graduating from IDEA School of Design while she’s in between shows and doing some personal work, creating art for her own art book.
Jaime Gervais loves her job working on fantasy and sci-fi TV shows including the hit Marvel/Hulu show Helstrom, where she designs everything from really cool weapons, costumes, artwork, signage for walls, and significant props that are key to the show’s story. Time management, organized workflow, and staying focused are a huge part of her job.
Catch up with IDEA School of Design alumna and her immersion into the fast-paced world of film. "It's absolutely worth every bit of energy, time, and education that has led me here," she says.
This is a showcase highlighting different areas of Jaime’s work from when she was in school until today.
Check out this grad spotlight!
With a BFA from University of Victoria, independent designer Henry Slaughter (IDEA Grad 2013) is immersed in every aspect of the creative process — from branding to photography to web design (Part 2)
We recently caught up with independent designer Henry Slaughter (IDEA Grad 2013), for a grad spotlight on life after graduating from IDEA School of Design. Portrait of Henry (shown above) by Lauren Zbarsky.
In Part 2 of our interview find out about Henry’s private Slack channel where he works with a writer, web developer and fills gaps with other talent including Max Littledale (IDEA Grad 2018), Nicole Shewchuk (IDEA Grad 2020), and Ata Ojani (IDEA Grad 2020).
With a BFA from University of Victoria, independent designer Henry Slaughter (IDEA Grad 2013) is immersed in every aspect of the creative process — from branding to photography to web design (Part 1)
We recently caught up with independent designer Henry Slaughter (IDEA Grad 2013), for a grad spotlight on life after graduating from IDEA School of Design. Portrait of Henry (shown above) by Lauren Zbarsky.
“I remember dreading the idea of more school after four years at UVic but as I got closer and closer to “graphic design” I was fascinated and excited to create a foundation for myself and build a proper skillset.” writes Henry.
Check out Part 1 of 2 of this grad spotlight!
IDEA Grad 2023 wins big at CityStudio North Vancouver HUBBUB #4 with visual information campaigns around Fire Safety and invasive plant species
Congratulations to IDEA School of Design Grad 2023 student groups for CityStudio North Vancouver HUBBUB #4 top honours— first, second and third—in the Audience Selection Awards!
Twenty-three IDEA School of Design second-year students partnered with the North Vancouver City Fire Department (NVCFD) and the City of North Vancouver Engineering, Parks & Environment department to create visual information campaigns around fire safety for young people, and building awareness around invasive plant species in our local parks.
Check out this story!
IDEA Grad 2021 Shares The Top 3 Things Learned During Practicum
We asked IDEA Grad 2021 to share with our readers the top 3 things they learned during their practicum. Here is what they wrote.
“Fail hard, fail fast, fail often. Don’t make assumptions. Be Proactive.” — Sara Nguyen
“Trust the process. Trust your instincts. Listen to John Lau!!!” — Alison Johnstone
Check out this story!
Christopher Winter (IDEA Grad 2014), Art Director at aeyde in Berlin: Fail often. To grow — you have to shed this idea of “comfort”.
We recently caught up with art director, photographer and artist, Christopher Winter (IDEA Grad 2014), for a grad spotlight on life after graduating from IDEA School of Design.
“Europe was always calling my name,” he writes. Chris has been in his current role as Art Director at aeyde for almost 3 years. aeyde is a women’s direct-to-consumer fashion company in Berlin, Germany.
“IDEA School of Design really taught me that being a generalist is actually quite an asset.” he continues.
Check out this grad spotlight!
Creative Thinking for Designers (DSGN 122) Pushes First Year Students (IDEA Grad 2024) to Explore 100 Iterations of a Theme
Working designers know that if you put in the time and do the work, a solid solution will usually emerge out of it. Your first idea might be the best, but it is only after coming up with many more solutions that you will know your final solution is solid. For this reason, many studios have the 100 guide: If you come up with 100 ideas, 90 will be ok, 9 will be good and 1 might just be great, so don’t stop working until you’ve explored 100 solutions.
The last assignment of IDEA School of Design’s 1st-year Creative Thinking class pushes students to explore this concept. They are challenged with exploring 100 iterations of a theme; ideally something they’d like to get better at.
Shown above: A sample from “100 Typographical Foods” by Celina Zhong. Check out some of this year’s projects!
First year IDEA student, Freya Emery (IDEA Grad 2024) has become a stronger version of herself and wants you to be fearless with your art
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.
Alison Johnstone (IDEA Grad 2021) wins #heyRGD February Challenge Popularity Prize (most likes on a post) for “contrast” with these playful gifs
Congratulations to Alison Johnstone (IDEA Grad 2021) for winning Popularity Prize (most likes on a post) for #heyRGD February Challenge for “contrast” with "Skin" (shown above) and "True Colours".
Check out this award-winning motion design student project!
First year student, Ethan Woronko’s (IDEA Grad 2024), grasp on composition, colour theory, design elements and principles, and art as a whole has grown immensely
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.
Sara Nguyen (IDEA Grad 2021) wins the #heyRGD February Challenge Presentation Prize for "contrast" with Neume, a high contrast, modern display font
Congratulations to Sara Nguyen Student RGD (IDEA Grad 2021) for winning the Presentation Prize for #heyRGD February Challenge for “contrast” with Neume, a high contrast, modern display font. The judges were impressed with Sara's entry.
Like the font, Neume Sample Poster (shown above) reflects the contrasting blend of historic imagery inspiration and modernized design forms and layout.
Check out this award-winning typeface design student project!
First year student, Anna Oh (IDEA Grad 2024) strongly believes her dreams will be in reach with a Bachelor of Design from IDEA School of Design
Meet first-year student, Anna Oh (IDEA Grad 2024)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.
She chose IDEA School of Design because she strongly believes that her dreams will be in reach with a Bachelor of Design from IDEA School of Design. “IDEA Bachelor of Design is known for producing excellent, brilliant students in the field of design.” she writes.
Read Anna’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.
Kathrin Teh (IDEA Grad 2023) Wins Prestigious Graphis New Talent Annual Silver Award 2021 with 'Gossamer Gin' Packaging Design
Congratulations to Kathrin Teh (IDEA Grad 2023) for winning Graphis New Talent Annual Silver Award 2021 with 'Gossamer Gin' Packaging Design (shown above). Graphis is an international bastion of excellence in design and visual imagery.
“Gossamer Gin is a luxury gin brand, focused on introducing the fascinating ingredients present in the drink to the masses. Their juniper — sourced from the Himalayas — and the plethora of unique, exotic ingredients they use, set them apart from the rest. They have several bottles, each focused on a different region of the world, which feature botanicals from the highlighted region. This way, you can experience gin with ingredients from regions across Asia, Europe, South America, etc.” writes Kathrin.
Check out this international award-winning packaging design project!
With a Graduate Degree in Architecture from Dalhousie University, Designer/Photographer Shy Smardon (IDEA Grad 2016) Navigates the Inflections of Design in New Zealand
We recently caught up with designer, photographer and graduate architect, Shy Smardon (IDEA Grad 2016), for a grad spotlight on life after graduating from IDEA School of Design where he won 10 student awards! He considers himself quite lucky to be living in New Zealand.
“It definitely wasn’t part of the plan to skip out on a pandemic, but that’s what I feel has happened.” writes Shy. Shy is currently a Website Designer at the University of Otago in New Zealand, a freelance graphic designer, and undertaking a full redesign of an early 1900s villa that he and his partner purchased.
Check out this grad spotlight!
First Year (IDEA Grad 2024) Students Explore Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco Designers with Psychedelic Album Cover Designs
In First Year Survey and Principles of Design, there is often a project to parallel the design movement studied. As part of an exercise to understand the "psychedelic" movement, which began in Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco in the mid 1960’s and had an effect, not just on music, but also on many aspects of popular culture, the students created an album cover to reflect the spirit and aesthetic of the genre.
Shown above: “The Glorious Sons” by Imogen Pettyfer, a modern band gone back in time to the 60s psychedelic era.
Check out some 60s album cover projects from IDES 142 Survey and Principles of Design II with Vida Jurcic.
First year student, Natasha Lee (IDEA Grad 2024), was drawn to IDEA Bachelor of Design due to its straightforward and employment-based mindset
Meet first-year student, Natasha Lee (IDEA Grad 2024)! Her self-portrait for IDES 133 - Visual Studio taught by Jay Bassan is shown above.
“If you are only interested in producing conceptual and abstract forms of art, IDEA School of Design may not be the best fit, but for those who would like to build up their skillset and portfolio to be competent as a commercial artist, the IDEA Bachelor of Design program is very promising.” she writes.
Read Natasha’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.