Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication
Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts IDEA School of Design
Credential
Bachelor
Program Highlights
Want to be part of the next generation of creative professionals? Learn your craft and develop your skill in visual expression at CapU.
The world of visual communication moves fast. In the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication program at Capilano University, we make it our business to keep up with industry trends and innovations – and take you with us. The curriculum is rigorous, industry-focused and responsive to cultural change and technology advances.
You'll learn a broad range of design specialties such as branding, illustration, and interactive design. You'll engage with instructors who are professionals with years of experience and broad networks across the industry. Bring your talent, passion and goals to a program with a reputation for industry-ready graduates.
Vancouver Film School (VFS) educational pathway
After completing a VFS Digital Design diploma (within the past four years), you can apply for the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication program through the VFS to CapU block transfer agreement.
Through this pathway, students with a VFS Digital Design diploma will be awarded 60 credits toward entrance into the program at CapU.
- 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.
Intakes
| Campus | Terms | Full/Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| North Vancouver | Fall | Full-Time |
Total program credits: 124.00
Program Notes
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.
Important Dates
Application Dates
May 1, 2018 - Apr 2, 2019
Course Registration & Waitlisting Starts
Jul 8, 2019
Fee Payment Deadline
Aug 19, 2019 4:00 PM
Application Dates
Oct 1, 2019 - Apr 7, 2020
Course Registration & Waitlisting Starts
Jul 6, 2020
Fee Payment Deadline
Aug 24, 2020 4:00 PM
Note: Dates are subject to change.
How to apply
- Check the admissions requirements.
- Check the application and document deadlines for your program.
- Complete and submit your application through EducationPlannerBC.
- Upload all your required/supporting official documents.
- Pay your application fee.
- Admissions will review your application and contact you.
Admission Requirements
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) or the Language Proficiency Index Test (LPI) unless they meet the EDT/LPI exemptions listed in the Capilano University Calendar website.
Here's what you need to get started on your portfolio
Applicants must submit their portfolio and program applications through the online portal SlideRoom.
Please submit no fewer than 15 images of recent work.
We assess portfolios based on drawing, design, and creativity. We encourage work that uses a variety of mediums (e.g. acrylic, pastel, pen & ink, digital).
Mandatory items are a minimum of five drawings rendered directly from life, without using photographic reference. These can include the human form (faces/figures), still life, people sitting in a café, your dog sleeping, a tree in your yard, etc. For the human figure, you may find it useful to attend life drawing classes for a variety of models and poses. Our aim is to assess how you observe and respond to your living world.
The remaining images can be any combination of traditional or digital illustration, painting, or design. Up to one piece of photography or two videos/animations can also be included.
Please photograph your work straight-on, in clear daylight, to a size of at least 1024 pixels wide. Ensure your photos are clear, faithful to the original, and saved as jpegs.
In addition to uploading a portfolio, you will also be required to answer some questions that address your interests and reasons for applying to the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication program, and to upload two letters of recommendation. Applicants may also have their letters of recommendation sent directly to the IDEA School of Design; have them emailed to idea@capilanou.ca.
The SlideRoom portal for the 2020 Early Admission period will open on November 1, 2019. Once you create your account, you can begin uploading your portfolio and other requirements. Take your time; you may edit your submission as much as you like but remember that we can review it only after you click the SUBMIT button! SlideRoom will charge you a small fee to submit your portfolio.
If your portfolio meets the standards of the program you will be invited to attend an interview conducted by a faculty panel. In addition to the interview, you will take part in timed tests of drawing, creativity, and communication skills. You will also be required to bring a current sketchbook for review. Please be prepared to spend up to four hours at the University on interview day.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Early Admission (recommended):
- Apply to the University before you submit your portfolio online.
- Complete your SlideRoom submission on or before Wednesday, January 22, 2020. Note: submissions received after this date will be considered in the Late Admission Period.
- Interview and testing dates will take place Tuesday, February 18, 2020 and/or Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Exact date(s) TBA. Applicants will be notified by telephone 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.
- Complete your SlideRoom submission on or before Wednesday, April 15, 2020.
- Interviews and testing will take place Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Exact date(s) TBA. Applicants will be notified by telephone if their submission meets the standards of the program.
- Waitlisted applicants will be notified if space becomes available.
For the official publication of programs, course descriptions and admission requirements please view the Capilano University Calendar (pdf).
Apply to CapU