When I was looking for a school or program to attend, I asked a friend who worked in the video game industry what his coworkers would suggest. A lot of people mentioned Emily Carr but many specifically pointed out the IDEA program at Capilano University. I went to an info session, which I found didn’t really showcase the potential of their students very well. Still, the projects shown seemed to have a lot of thinking behind them. I am shy and didn’t talk to the instructors but I did get an info package. Inside was a beautiful illustration from a former student, and that signed the deal for me.
It was an interview with two of the instructors about the submitted portfolio; a life-drawing test (which I had never done before) and lastly a written essay portion.
Portfolio Process
Each student had to submit a portfolio. About 150 people applied, from whom 50 were chosen to come in to for the “Quiz Day of Wonder and Talents”. In actuality, it was an interview with two of the instructors about the submitted portfolio; a life-drawing test (which I had never done before) and lastly a written essay portion.
The process might have changed now, I’m not sure. I don’t think you can rate how difficult it is to get into the program unless you know the work that other has submitted. The instructors are looking for people who are able to draw but more importantly that are able to think.
Three Years
The first year is dedicated mainly to the fundamentals; drawing, color theory, typography, etc. It’s a great year because it’s all hands on and you’re not at a computer yet. There was a writing class to help us with presenting our thoughts and ideas. We also had a class on the history of design and illustration. At the time it seemed null and void, but its relevance has come up again and again throughout the program.
In the second year, the focus is on design rather than illustration. As a person geared towards drawing, I felt thirsty for more illustrative work. However, it was great to learn how to conceptualize a project, to work out problems rather than just create pretty things. You also begin to work digitally, learning how to use Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and Indesign. Even though I use them limitedly, I will use these programs for the rest of my life because they’re so valuable.
The class starts a huge project in second year as well. The project is a fundraiser to take the class on a field trip to New York for about a week. How we go about achieving this is by creating calendars, greeting cards, buttons, or whatever students can think of and selling them. It not only pays for the trip to New York but the Grad Show as well. The project is extremely stressful and there’s a large amount of work. Over the years, it has become such a big project that our class requested that it become a class of its own. Right now, it’s an “after hours” type of thing on top of the work you’re already trying to get done. The project continues into the third year right up until January when you go on the actual trip.
The third year is the best by far, though it is the most stressful and there will be days you wake up and wonder if you can go on. Most of your time will be spent focusing on your portfolio. That is, IF you were clever enough to make projects solely for it. The key to success in this program is to create each project as if it were for your portfolio. That way by the time you get to the third year, you aren’t spending weeks trying to fix everything that you’ve already done. Or, if you’re an illustrator like me you can do 90% of your work during this last semester.
The third year also prepared me for life after the program. You learn the business behind the business; how to market yourself, regardless if you’re a designer or illustrator. By this time, most of the class has defined themselves as illustrators or designers. I’m sure that it differs from year to year, but my class had fewer illustrators.
The Good and the Bad
The great thing about IDEA is that you are taught by people who ARE designers and illustrators. They give a lot of helpful advice and are good at steering you in the right direction. Also, you get to visit different design studios and have the opportunity to talk to the people who you will be looking to potentially work with in the future. You come to realize that the design and illustration community is very small and everybody knows everybody else. People who are part of this program attach themselves to a huge group of contacts that will be important now and in the future.
Your classmates will also play a large role in your experience. We were a very close group of people. You come to respect and love the work of each person there. Each student has something that they are specifically good at and it’s very useful to be able to have 29 unique opinions and suggestions.
What has bothered me most about the program is that instructors are constantly late. At the beginning of our first year, you are given a warning that if you are late three times you will be kicked out. However, as the years go by the instructors start showing up later and later. Nonetheless, I find it hypocritical for teachers to say they’ll be in at a certain time and show up an hour later. It’s unprofessional to say the least.
The Verdict
I think this program is worth the time and money. It’s not nearly as expensive as some other programs. I’ve acquired a wealth of knowledge since I’ve been here. And have even found some things I like doing that I would have never come in contact with on my own.
I am certain that I will be able to live off my work which I never thought was a possibility before.
At the beginning of the program I thought that three years would be a long time to be in school but time has flown by since day one. I feel comfortable coming out of the program with what I’ve learned. Even though the economy is in a bit of a downslide, I am certain that I will be able to live off my work which I never thought was a possibility before.
Some Last Words of Advice
Be prepared to work long and hard. If you love what you’re doing, this won’t be a problem for you.
The instructors may know a lot, but don’t know everything. So, stick to your guns when you have to. There is little time for humming and hawing so stick with your gut and trust yourself.
If you are really crappy at something, like I am at design, figure out what it is that you are good at and gear your work towards that. Do things that you love to do and try to put that into as many projects as you can.
And lastly, you should go catch the red balloon. It’s a link to my portfolio.
(4 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)
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