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SashaFitzgerald — The IDEA Program at Capilano University
Published: 2009-05-12 20:43:06 +0000 UTC; Views: 3530; Favourites: 4; Downloads: 0
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Friends of dA feel free to ignore this as it is simply a resource for those interested in the IDEA program.

The illustration and graphic design program at Capilano University, aptly named IDEA program (illustration design elements and applications), has its prospective students jump through many hoops before they are given admittance. I am writing this as a simple aid to those students who want in as bad as I do.

Firstly, as of the 2009 year, IDEA gets about 200 interested students who submit portfolios. Of those 200 portfolios, only 50-60 are chosen for the interview process. And of those few, only 30 are chosen for acceptance into the Program, and an extra 10 are put on a waiting list (because an average of 3 students drop out a year). The rest receive rejection letters.

I'm not going to go into the 'what should I put in my portfolio' question, because they already explain that. But for those completely lost, make sure to put in lots of realism and drawings from life (including still life and naked models). No anime, fantasy, or digital artwork.

The Interview Process

I arrived at nine am, to a hallway filled with other anxious and hopeful students. The secretary welcomed us to the interview, and posted up a piece of paper that showed what we were to do for the four hours we were there for. This was my schedule:

9-10 - Interview
10-11 - Drawing Test
11-12 - Break
12-1 - Writing & Creative Tests

I will break down each section. The interview was in a room with two interviewers. They are both teachers in the program. One was a man, and the other a woman. They asked many questions, which I will try and sum up:

Why do you want to take IDEA?
What do you know about the Program?
Which artist inspires you most?
Have you bought any art books recently?
Have you taken the Summer Intensive Program?
How have you prepared for this interview?
Can you afford the cost of the program?
We do not recommend working in a job while in the program. Will you be working?
Have you ever sold any work? Done any commissions?
Do you prefer working in a team or by yourself?
Have you had any group experience in the past?
What is your definition of illustration? Graphic Design?
What do you hope to learn in the IDEA program?
What sort of career do you see yourself going into upon graduation of IDEA?
Have you applied to any other programs? Would you choose IDEA or the other program if accepted to both?

These are just some of the questions. They really grill you.

The drawing test was rather simple. There was a display of fake flowers and fruit, on top of a platter, vase, and jar. They gave us really bad charcoal - willow charcoal (the kind that brushes away really easily and you can never seem to get black) - and actual chalk from a chalk board. I may sound a little prissy, but I'm used to working with real charcoal and conte and was frustrated that I couldn't achieve the effects I am used to. Overall, though, the drawing went well. I seemed to be doing better than the other two people who's work I could see. After the hour was up, the teacher asked us to write our names on a piece of paper, hold the paper up to our chests, and then he photographed us (which felt a little Big Brother to me lol).

Then we had an hour break. Some of the other hopefuls and I went down to the cafeteria and chatted, and got our coffee on. One girl had come from Mexico. She actually flew here to try and get into the Program. This was her second year attempting to get in. Another girl was told she was too young for the program and to try again another year (which makes me wonder why they even interviewed her if they felt people right out of highschool were too young). Another guy had been trying for three years now too, and was really desperate to get chosen this year. We were all really tired, jittery, and desperate to get in.

We headed back up to the building where our writing & creative tests were to take place. Let me try and describe it as acurately as I can. There were about eight of us in the small room and we had an hour to take the test.

The writing test: Correct ten or so sentences for grammar, spelling, puntuation. That was actually pretty tough, so I recommend people study. Then we had to write the essay. The essay was about an image they had printed out for each of us. It was a picture of couples dancing in the moonlight (it was kind of creepy actually lol). We had to answer various questions in the essay:
What mediums do you think the artist used? What sort of mood or atmosphere does the image present? How does the painting make you feel? Etc...

The Creative test:  We were given a piece of paper that had two sections asking us to do different things. The first section wanted 3 short answers for how we would make an ad stand out. The second section was a bit different. There were four small square boxes (maybe an inch x an inch in size) and we were to portray the word next to it by only illustrating it within the box, without numbers or words. I remember the first word, which was isolation. I drew a person isolated in a crowd. I can't remember the second word. For the third and fourth words, we were to depic the opposite of their meaning inside the squares. The words were dense and perfection - I decided to draw something light weight, and a scene of a dystopia.

After the test was over, we all wished each other luck, and each went on our way.

I wish all the prospective students all the luck in the world!

Please let me know if you have any questions, and if this resource was handy

Post Spook's Xmas present/I am a bum

Start Tree Nymph Trade Painting/nearly a bum
Start Faerie Tale Painting


SELL STUFF and MAKE $$$ (is poor)


Clubs:



The End.

Related content
Comments: 37

halukayagi [2017-01-12 08:07:18 +0000 UTC]

Hi Sasha!
I know that this is a couple years old, but do you happen to know whether reference letters make a big deal during the application process? I have one letter that really helps describe my design experience, but the other talks mostly about my work ethics. I'm still in highschool and those two were the best letters I could get :/

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halukayagi In reply to halukayagi [2017-01-27 05:25:29 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to halukayagi [2017-01-16 20:49:11 +0000 UTC]

I think they mostly just look at your portfolio, and if they like it they invite you to come back for an interview. Also, don't be discouraged if you don't get accepted, because they only took one person that was right out of highschool in our class. Best of luck to you!

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brlost [2016-03-05 13:42:38 +0000 UTC]

Hey! So I know this post is a couple/few years old but I have a question regarding your interview segment. When you were sitting down with your interviewers, did they encourage you to ask questions in return or were you not able to do so? (i.e. did they not allow it?)

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to brlost [2016-06-21 00:40:40 +0000 UTC]

Hey! Sorry for the late response. They asked questions, I answered, and at the end they asked if I had any questions. Hope that helps! Goodluck!

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ave-nu [2014-05-09 20:23:31 +0000 UTC]

Hi, I found this extremely helpful in informing me what to expect at the interview. I just did it a few days ago, crossing my fingers I get officially accepted.
I would like to know how much tuition was each term and each year if you could remember.

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to ave-nu [2014-05-17 02:24:55 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad you found this helpful! Just a tip/warning, this program ended up being very focused on design over illustration, and many of the illustration students, including myself, ended up leaving because of that. So keep that in mind Also this program is very intense and you may find yourself spending 14-16 hours a day at school (and expect to be very tired all the time lol). As for the price, I think it was something like 4-6 thousand per semester, can't remember exactly, as I also had living expenses covered by my loan too. 

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ave-nu In reply to SashaFitzgerald [2014-05-17 03:36:50 +0000 UTC]

I did get accepted! Thank you for the warning, though it's not too much of a concern for me, I'm all about the design side (;
Wow, seems steep, but it might be reasonable for this program. Thank you!
BTW IDEA has upgraded to 4-year bachelor in design of visual communication.

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to ave-nu [2014-05-22 07:58:59 +0000 UTC]

Congratulations!!! that is awesome news! Also awesome that they have a degree program now. ^_^ Best of luck to you!

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jmngo [2012-05-17 08:30:34 +0000 UTC]

I found your testimony, if you can call it that, on Google. Did you pass the interview? I myself am applying this year and had a few questions about it.

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to jmngo [2012-05-17 21:39:08 +0000 UTC]

Yup, I made it in. Ask any questions you like.

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jmngo In reply to SashaFitzgerald [2012-06-07 20:36:59 +0000 UTC]

oh man, i wish i checked dA a bit sooner for your reply! judging by the year this was written, you've already graduated from the program then? I was fortunate enough to make in it this year! really excited for this september. What's the first year like?? how does the registering for classes work?

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to jmngo [2012-06-07 20:55:56 +0000 UTC]

Hey! No worries! Yeah I would have graduated by now, but I had to leave half way through second year due to some personal issues.

The program is very, VERY intense. You will spend every waking minute on school projects. Your life becomes the program, lol. You really won't have time to work, so better quit any job you have now. The focus during first year is mostly on drawing and painting, trying out different media, and learning how to use your slr camera. Second year is when you get into design more.

They will send you a letter in the mail telling you what classes to register for (everyone in first year takes the same classes, and together as a class). Should be something like 7-8 classes per semester, if I remember correctly.

Let me know if you have any other questions Goodluck and congratulations to you!!

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jmngo In reply to SashaFitzgerald [2012-06-28 19:44:27 +0000 UTC]

hey, when you registered for classes, is year one all the IDEA 100 Courses? i didn't get anything in the mail besides the letter telling me congrats and what not. I should probably give them a call to ask what's up.

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to jmngo [2012-06-28 21:48:05 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, I think they were all 100 classes, but I can't remember.
Definitely give them a call and find out what's up.

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kangel [2009-05-18 18:49:42 +0000 UTC]

o_o That's so intense! My college interview only took about 45 minutes - and it was really informal.

Good luck!! I really hope you get a place!!

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to kangel [2009-05-21 22:17:09 +0000 UTC]

I know!!! You're telling me. It was SOOO intense I wanted to run!

Thanks, I really hope I get in too.

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MelissaDalton [2009-05-14 20:49:43 +0000 UTC]

Woah, that place must be seriously prestigious. O.O Good luck again! Lol xmas present in May. xD

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

SashaFitzgerald In reply to MelissaDalton [2009-05-14 20:51:34 +0000 UTC]

Haha yeah, it feels like it is. Thanks for the goodluck, Ima need it! oh and I will totally get your present to you... eventually... D:

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Fru [2009-05-14 05:24:31 +0000 UTC]

Hey, that sounds familiar Heh heh the other word for the creativity test was "escape" by the by, for which I drew a little bird flying out of a cage.
I probably saw you there but I don't think I've met you, did you take the summer classes last year??
Anyway, good luck!! We'll find out next week ... I am sooo nervous ... heh!

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to Fru [2009-05-14 20:26:45 +0000 UTC]

Ah! Escape! That was it! I like your idea of birds flying out of a cage. I drew three martini glasses haha!
Nope, I didn't take the summer courses. Was your interview on thursday or friday? Mine was on Thursday.

Goodluck! Let me know if your results so I can congratulate you! (or console if it be otherwise)

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Fru In reply to SashaFitzgerald [2009-05-16 08:00:59 +0000 UTC]

HA I like yours better, you didn`t take it as ... literally as I did! Very cute
Mine was Thursday too. I was one of the first ones there standing around in the hallway talking to some others ... I got there super early cause I am super paranoid about being late
Yeah, you let me know about yours too! We`ll know soon!

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Decarabia69 [2009-05-13 14:22:10 +0000 UTC]

The criteria sound pretty stringent and I have but one request, submit your drawings of the naked models (just the female ones).

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to Decarabia69 [2009-05-14 20:28:30 +0000 UTC]

OH MY GOD IS IT EVER. They made us jump through a million hoops. I'm glad the whole process is over... I feel like I acheived a lot just in doing that haha! I hope they pick me!!!!!!!!!

I already submitted them!

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Decarabia69 In reply to SashaFitzgerald [2009-05-15 16:18:38 +0000 UTC]

I"ll keep my fingers crossed for you.

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to Decarabia69 [2009-05-15 21:26:08 +0000 UTC]

Thankyou!!

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Anna-Anaria [2009-05-13 10:54:33 +0000 UTC]

wooooh come to new zealand man, seirously, one interview where you talk brieflyabout your portfolio and why you like art and then bam thats it.
Gosh canada art school is nutsz!

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to Anna-Anaria [2009-05-14 20:30:05 +0000 UTC]

Haha! I wish I could! I have no doubt I will travel there one day because my mom has this crazy idea that we shall move to a small country town in australia and sell her soaps at the farmers markets there. That would actually be pretty awesome. Then we'd only be a boat ride away! Or a plane ride... or however you travel between the ocean ]P

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Anna-Anaria In reply to SashaFitzgerald [2009-05-15 10:18:43 +0000 UTC]

lol boat ride.....LOL man you'd be totally lost at sea for months hahahaha

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to Anna-Anaria [2009-05-15 21:27:27 +0000 UTC]

hahaha! Sounds like me. On the globe the two bits of land don't look so far apart... less than an inch... D:

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Anna-Anaria In reply to SashaFitzgerald [2009-05-16 06:06:29 +0000 UTC]

new zealand also looks like the tiniest country ever lol its so funny how on maps we're always in like the very far right bottom corner where no one notices

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to Anna-Anaria [2009-07-07 21:27:33 +0000 UTC]

Aww I noticed!! I was like what's that place next to Australia.. lol!

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Anna-Anaria In reply to SashaFitzgerald [2009-07-08 10:13:21 +0000 UTC]

hooOOO!O no you didnt! ERM ERM! hahahahha

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to Anna-Anaria [2009-07-08 22:17:35 +0000 UTC]

Naaa! I knew where it was! no worries haha! As long as you can find my country on a map!

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Anna-Anaria In reply to SashaFitzgerald [2009-07-08 22:41:23 +0000 UTC]

LOL funny. Yes I know where you are...maybe.
when I was like 10 I used to think it was actually part of amaerica just a little country called canada. its dumb how bigger places over take the smaller ones. although canadas pretty huge really. what countries hav eyou been to?

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SashaFitzgerald In reply to Anna-Anaria [2009-07-08 23:07:57 +0000 UTC]

Haha believe it or not Canada is actually bigger than the US. [link]

We're the second largest country in the world (russia's the first). Except a lot our land is icy and uninhabitable by most. Our largest and most concentrated cities tend to be close to the border. /geography lesson over

Hmmmm... I've been to the US, England (for like an hour so it doesn't exactly count), Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, and Germany. What about you?

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Anna-Anaria In reply to SashaFitzgerald [2009-07-10 10:08:59 +0000 UTC]

hahah wow thank you i'm very enlightened now haha. I never counted the ice as part of it hehe. man we should turn the ice into ice houses and sell them out to people. we'll be rich in minutes!
lol I've been to.....new zealand. and not even 10% of it lol i've been 4 hour radias around my home city and thats it LOL very very sad

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