Facebook

Faculty
Fine & Applied Arts

School
IDEA School of Design

Want to be part of the next generation of creative professionals? Develop your skill in branding, illustration and interactive design in the 4-year Bachelor of Design at CapU.

In the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication degree program, we make it our business to keep up with industry trends, innovations in technology and stay responsive to cultural change.

You’ll be prepared for a career doing what you love, whether that’s illustration, branding, graphic design, visual design, art direction, character design and storyboarding, interactive design, UI (user interface) and UX (user experience), editorial design, publishing, digital media, environmental design and more.

The program is rigorous, offering many all-day classes and strong levels of peer support. You'll engage with instructors who are professionals with years of experience and broad networks across the industry.

Tuition fees include industry quality tools such as personal laptops with all necessary software, cameras, and substantial art materials for classes and workshops. We also fund student memberships to professional associations in Canada, local events and guest speakers.

Prior to graduation, you'll take part in an eight-week industry practicum placement to help you transition into your new career. You'll also showcase your portfolio at our annual Grad Show, which is attended by Vancouver's top agencies and art directors.

Bring your talent, passion and goals to a program with a reputation for industry-ready graduates.

Instructor talking with IDEA students.

Learn from top artists and designers

During your intensive four-year design training, your instructors will be by your side, sharing their knowledge and providing support with your creative projects.

Career paths

  • Graphic designer
  • Art director
  • Packaging designer
  • Communication designer
  • Illustrator
  • Storyboard artist
  • Character designer
  • UI/UX designer
  • Digital designer
  • Web/App designer

Pathways to your design degree

If you've completed a design diploma from a BC post-secondary institution in the last four years, you can apply through one our block transfer agreements to possibly gain entry into the second or third year of the Bachelor of Design at CapU.

Study abroad options

We offer study abroad partnerships with two schools: Bisen College in Japan and Robert Gordon University’s Gray’s School of Art in Scotland. Our third-year students also enjoy a week-long trip to a cultural hub, with past trips to New York City, Toronto and Mexico City.

Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication

CapU's IDEA program is designed for the next generation of creative professionals, with concentrations in branding, illustration and interactive design.
Tierney Milne, a CapU alumni of the IDEA program.
“In the IDEA program, I found myself working on infographics and experiential campaigns that were geared at trying to find novel ways of capturing people’s attention, keeping them engaged, and trying to improve their mental state. I also loved thinking about how people respond to colours and patterns and what sort of emotions these tend to elicit.”
Tierney Milne, IDEA School of Design alumni

Related links

Request more info

Find out about your program of interest and learn about upcoming events, workshops, virtual and in-person campus tours.

Learn More

Contact us

For more information about the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication program, contact us today.

Get in Touch

Information sessions

Plan ahead with this calendar of important program information sessions and open houses.

Upcoming info sessions

Apply now

Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

Apply Now to CapU

Latest stories

alt tag required

Alumni

A Pop of Colour

By Niki Hope
alt tag required

Fine and Applied Arts

Portfolio Tips for Aspiring Design Students

By Shannon Colin
alt tag required

Student Life

A Pandemic Graduation

By Nathalie Taylor

Intakes

Fall 2023

Location
North Vancouver

Course load
Full-time

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 4, 2022 – Apr 4, 2023

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 4, 2023

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 21, 2023

NOTE: Important dates may change.

How to Apply

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Review this program's admission requirements

First-time applicants submit your application on EducationPlannerBC

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee of $50, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs. 
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If you are currently in Grade 12, you must request that the Ministry of Education submit your transcript directly to Capilano University.
  • Documents must be in the original language of issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.
Apply on EPBC

Receive an acknowledgement email

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Submit your portfolio

Applicants must submit their portfolio and program applications through the online portal SlideRoom.

Upload to SlideRoom

Please submit between 15 and 20 images of recent work, either personal projects or assignments from school or another program.

We suggest a minimum of 5 non-digital drawings rendered directly from life, without using photographic reference. Our aim is to assess how you observe and respond to the living world.

For one of the drawings, arrange a still life consisting of one household object (e.g. scissors, a vegetable peeler, a hammer), one piece of drapery (e.g. a t-shirt, a dishtowel, a scarf), and one object from the natural world (e.g. a flower, a small branch, a pine cone). Complete your drawing in black and white using pencil or charcoal, in under one hour.

The other non-digital drawings can be any subject observed from life, for example, a human face or figure, your dog sleeping, a still life arrangement, a tree in your yard, the interior of your kitchen – and so on – in black and white or colour.

The remaining submissions can be any combination of illustration, painting, design, video, 3D, collage, animation or interactive design (website, app), and can be completed traditionally or digitally.

Photograph your work straight-on, in clear daylight. Avoid direct sunlight; north-facing light is best. Save photographs or digital images as JPEGs to a size of at least 1024 pixels wide.

The purpose of your portfolio is to demonstrate your creative potential. Portfolios are reviewed on the basis of drawing ability (observation, technique), design ability (clarity of thinking, communication, and structure), and creativity.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Early Admission (recommended):

  • Apply to the University before you submit your portfolio online.
  • Complete your SlideRoom submission between November 4, 2022 and January 25, 2023. Note: submissions received after this date will be considered in the Late Admission Period.
  • Interviews and testing will take place Tuesday, February 21, 2023 via video conferencing. Exact date(s) TBA. Applicants will be notified by email if their submission meets the standards of the program.
  • Waitlisted applicants will be notified after the Late Admission period if space becomes available.

Late Admission:

  • Apply to the University before you submit your portfolio online (applications to the University close April 4, 2023).
  • Complete your SlideRoom submission between January 27, 2023 and April 10, 2023.
  • Interviews and testing will take place Tuesday, May 2, 2023 via video conferencing. Exact date(s) TBA. Applicants will be notified by email if their submission meets the standards of the program.
  • Waitlisted applicants will be notified if space becomes available.

Submit your official transcripts

For students who have previously attended post-secondary, even though you submitted a digital copy of your transcripts on EducationPlannerBC, you must submit official university or college transcripts for transfer credit.

Please send all official documents to:

Registrar's Office
Birch Building, Room BR230
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Official university or college transcripts

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and the signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing university or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Certified documents

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

Original academic documents

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Get ready for your first day

Once you've been accepted into a program, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
  • If you wish to receive transfer credits, please submit official university/college/International Baccalaureate (IB)/Advanced Placements (AP) transcripts either electronically or by mail:

     

    Registrar's Office
    Birch Building, Room BR230
    2055 Purcell Way
    North Vancouver, BC
    V7J 3H5

Admitted Students

Review this program's admission requirements

Learn about CapU's admission requirements and submit your application

Most CapU programs need proof that you:

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee of C$135, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs.
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If your original transcripts and supporting documents are not written in English, please submit a translated copy.
Apply on EPBC

Receive an acknowledgement email

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.
Funding for International Students

Submit your portfolio

Applicants must submit their portfolio and program applications through the online portal SlideRoom.

Upload to SlideRoom

Please submit between 15 and 20 images of recent work, either personal projects or assignments from school or another program.

We suggest a minimum of 5 non-digital drawings rendered directly from life, without using photographic reference. Our aim is to assess how you observe and respond to the living world.

For one of the drawings, arrange a still life consisting of one household object (e.g. scissors, a vegetable peeler, a hammer), one piece of drapery (e.g. a t-shirt, a dishtowel, a scarf), and one object from the natural world (e.g. a flower, a small branch, a pine cone). Complete your drawing in black and white using pencil or charcoal, in under one hour.

The other non-digital drawings can be any subject observed from life, for example, a human face or figure, your dog sleeping, a still life arrangement, a tree in your yard, the interior of your kitchen – and so on – in black and white or colour.

The remaining submissions can be any combination of illustration, painting, design, video, 3D, collage, animation or interactive design (website, app), and can be completed traditionally or digitally.

Photograph your work straight-on, in clear daylight. Avoid direct sunlight; north-facing light is best. Save photographs or digital images as JPEGs to a size of at least 1024 pixels wide.

The purpose of your portfolio is to demonstrate your creative potential. Portfolios are reviewed on the basis of drawing ability (observation, technique), design ability (clarity of thinking, communication, and structure), and creativity.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Early Admission (recommended):

  • Apply to the University before you submit your portfolio online.
  • Complete your SlideRoom submission between November 4, 2022 and January 25, 2023. Note: submissions received after this date will be considered in the Late Admission Period.
  • Interviews and testing will take place Tuesday, February 21, 2023 via video conferencing. Exact date(s) TBA. Applicants will be notified by email if their submission meets the standards of the program.
  • Waitlisted applicants will be notified after the Late Admission period if space becomes available.

Late Admission:

  • Apply to the University before you submit your portfolio online (applications to the University close April 4, 2023).
  • Complete your SlideRoom submission between January 27, 2023 and April 10, 2023.
  • Interviews and testing will take place Tuesday, May 2, 2023 via video conferencing. Exact date(s) TBA. Applicants will be notified by email if their submission meets the standards of the program.
  • Waitlisted applicants will be notified if space becomes available.

Submit your official transcripts

You've already sent digital copies of your transcripts to EducationPlannerBC as part of your CapU application, but we also need physical copies of your official high school, college or university transcripts.

If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Please send your official documents to:

Capilano University
Centre for International Experience, Room LB127
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Official high school, university, or college transcripts

Students must submit official high school and university or college transcripts for admission.

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing high school, university, or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Certified documents

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

Original academic documents

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Receive letter of offer

If you are accepted into a program, you will receive a letter of offer in your myCapU email inbox.

  • You will need to confirm your acceptance into the program by paying a tuition deposit outlined in your letter of offer.
  • This deposit will go towards your first-semester tuition once you are registered for courses at CapU.

Receive letter of acceptance and apply for a study permit

After paying your tuition deposit, you will receive a letter of acceptance in your myCapU inbox. This may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit.

  • Depending on your citizenship, you may also need to apply for an entry visa.
Permits & Visas

Get ready for your first day

Once you've been accepted into a program and have applied for your study permit, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted international students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
Info for Admitted International Students

Admission notes

Please note that ENGL 100 is a required course in the first term of the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication program. In order to enrol in any English course, students must submit the results of the English Diagnostic Test (EDT) unless they meet the EDT exemptions listed in the Capilano University Calendar website.

Apply Now

Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

Apply now to CapU

Transfer Students

Find out how you can transfer your credits from another post-secondary institution to CapU.

Applying as a Transfer Student

Returning Students

If you're returning to CapU to complete your program or to apply into a new program, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Contact Registrar's Office

Switching Programs

If you want to change your program of study, you need to submit a new application to CapU.

Re-apply to CapU

Tuition and Fees

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $11,175 $1,691 $12,866
Year 2 $12,036 $1,691 $13,727
Year 3 $11,606 $1,691 $13,297
Year 4 $11,606 $1,691 $13,297
Total $46,423 $6,764 $53,187
Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $25,887 $1,691 $27,578
Year 2 $27,728 $1,691 $29,419
Year 3 $26,808 $1,691 $28,499
Year 4 $26,808 $1,691 $28,499
Total $107,231 $6,764 $113,995

Tuition & Fees Estimator

Get a detailed breakdown of the tuition and fees for your program.

Calculate my fees

Entrance Awards

All new CapU students can fund their education with entrance awards.

See if I qualify

Term Awards

Continuing your studies at CapU? You may be eligible for awards, too.

Take me to the awards

On this page

Required Courses

First Term

Total credits: 16.00

Required:
DSGN 121Design Fundamentals3.00 credits
ENGL 100University Writing Strategies3.00 credits
IDES 111Technology Intensive I1.00 credits
IDES 131Survey and Principles of Illustration I3.00 credits
IDES 133Visual Studio3.00 credits
IDES 141Survey and Principles of Design I3.00 credits

 

Second Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
DSGN 122Creative Thinking for Designers3.00 credits
IDES 132Survey and Principles of Illustration II3.00 credits
IDES 142Survey and Principles of Design II3.00 credits
IDES 151Digital Media I3.00 credits
Numeracy Elective 100-level or higher3.00 credits

 

Third Term

Total credits: 16.00

Required:
IDES 211Technology Intensive I1.00 credits
IDES 235Illustration Studio I3.00 credits
IDES 243Design Studio I3.00 credits
IDES 247Survey and Principles of Typography3.00 credits
IDES 252Digital Media II3.00 credits
ENGL or CMNS 100-level or higher3.00 credits

 

Fourth Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
IDES 236Illustration Studio II3.00 credits
IDES 237Digital Illustration3.00 credits
IDES 244Design Studio II3.00 credits
IDES 249Brand Identity3.00 credits
Breadth Elective 100-level or higher3.00 credits

 

Fifth Term

Total credits: 16.00

Required:
DSGN 325Design Thinking and Research3.00 credits
IDES 313Technology Intensive III1.00 credits
IDES 340Visual Communication Workshops I3.00 credits
Breadth Elective 100-level or higher3.00 credits
Choose 6.00 credits from the following list:
IDES 360Visual Communication Studio I6.00 credits
IDES 361Visual Communication Studio I: Illustration Concentration6.00 credits
IDES 362Visual Communication Studio I: Branding Concentration6.00 credits
IDES 363Visual Communication Studio I: Interactive Concentration6.00 credits

 

Sixth Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
DSGN 320Professional Development I3.00 credits
IDES 341Visual Communication Workshops II3.00 credits
Breadth Elective 100-level or higher3.00 credits
Choose 6.00 credits from the following list:
IDES 380Visual Communication Studio II6.00 credits
IDES 381Visual Communication Studio II: Illustration Concentration6.00 credits
IDES 382Visual Communication Studio II: Branding Concentration6.00 credits
IDES 383Visual Communication Studio II: Interactive Concentration6.00 credits

 

Seventh Term

Total credits: 16.00

Required:
DSGN 473Business Practices for Design Professionals3.00 credits
IDES 414Technology Intensive IV1.00 credits
Breadth Elective 100-level or higher3.00 credits
Choose 9.00 credits from the following list:
DSGN 440Professional Development II9.00 credits
DSGN 441Professional Development II: Illustration Concentration9.00 credits
DSGN 442Professional Development II: Branding Concentration9.00 credits
DSGN 443Professional Development II: Interactive Concentration9.00 credits

 

Eighth Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
DSGN 460Professional Development III3.00 credits
IDES 490Industry Practicum9.00 credits
Breadth Elective 100-level or higher3.00 credits

Total program credits: 124.00

Additional information

Students starting in their baccalaureate degree on or after Fall 2018 and graduating on or after June 2022 must meet Cap Core graduation requirements in addition to their program requirements.

Students may obtain a concentration by completing 24.00 credits in one of the following areas:

- Illustration Concentration: 9 lower-level credits: IDES 235, IDES 236 and IDES 237; 15 upper-level credits: IDES 361 and/or IDES 381, and DSGN 441.

- Branding Concentration: 9 lower-level credits: IDES 243, IDES 244 and IDES 249; 15 upper-level credits: IDES 362 and/or IDES 382, and DSGN 442.

- Interactive Design Concentration: 9 lower-level credits: IDES 243, IDES 244 and IDES 252; 15 upper-level credits: IDES 363 and/or IDES 383, and DSGN 443.

Note: Breadth elective credits must include a minimum of 3 credits designated as Quantitative/Analytical and a minimum of 6 credits at the 300/400 level.

Continuation Requirements: Year 2: Successful completion of all 100-level IDES/DSGN courses with a 2.67 GPA on these courses. Year 3: Successful completion of all 200-level IDES/DSGN courses with a 2.67 GPA on these courses. Year 4: Successful completion of all 300-level IDES/DSGN courses with a 2.67 GPA on these courses.

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of current visual communication practice.
  • Identify and solve communication problems using a strategic process, with an emphasis on design thinking, creativity, original solutions, and clarity of communication.
  • Describe and respond to the audiences and contexts that communication solutions must address, including recognition of the physical, cognitive, economic, cultural, and social human factors that shape visual communication decisions.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with the tools and technologies that support visual communication practice and apply concepts across a range of media platforms.
  • Utilize professional development and industry work experience to enter the field as visual communication professionals.
  • Apply visual communication expertise for societal and environmental benefit.
  • Work collaboratively with other disciplines in business, industry, and the broader community.
  • Recognize the importance of life-long learning and responsiveness to change.

For the official publication of programs, course descriptions and admission requirements please view the Capilano University Calendar (pdf).

Have a question?

Get in touch with us!

About this program

IDEA School of Design
604 990 7820
idea@capilanou.ca

General inquiries

Student Information Services
Birch Building, room BR230

604-984-4900
604-984-1798 (fax)
registration@capilanou.ca