Foundations in Design: Certificate

Description

Foundations in Design is a one-year (2-semester) certificate program that will develop your skills and your understanding of design as a career. Explore the diverse options open to the design professional, and grow your skills with hands on projects. This program gives you the opportunity to focus your studies in a creative environment lead by design professionals. Study fundamental design skills such as drawing, 2D and 3D design plus develop methods in the creative process essential to your success. Complete your year with a dynamic portfolio of work that will open the door to future studies in any number of design disciplines.

Students in the FIND program have the opportunity of exploring various facets of design. For a look at what we do, go to: kpu.ca/design/find/studentwork

 

Student Profile

Students who excel in the FIND program:

• are curious about how things work
• often build and dismantle things to understand them
• wonder how rooms and public spaces best serve the people who use them
• like photography or drawing
• look at magazines to see how fonts, colours and shapes are used
• play with fabrics to create new looks
• dream of how the new iPhone or a new car could look

If you can relate to any or all of the above, the FIND program could be for you.

Career Opportunities

A career in design is a lifelong journey and yours can start with FIND. Designers are found in many industries creating everything from furniture to fashion, gadgets and sports equipment, branding, websites, publishing and the built environment. With the completion of the FIND certificate, graduates often seek further design education to find a design-related career.

The possibilities are many:

• Fashion design
• Graphic design
• Interior design
• Product design
• Digital technology
• Interface design
• Window Display
• Environmental Design
• Design Management
• Museum Design
• Lighting Design
• Event Design
• Publication Design

...and many more.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Faculty's Admission Requirements, which consist of KPU's undergraduate English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply:

• Portfolio review
• Reflective written statement

During the portfolio and interview process, faculty members evaluate each applicant for suitability for admission.

Portfolio Review

Portfolios should reflect creative interests and current art/design capabilities. The following are suggestions for inclusion in the portfolio but are intended only as a guide. There is no minimum or maximum number of projects to include.

• Photos/scans of drawings, paintings, sculptures, pottery, textiles, woodworking, printmaking, sewing/costume design, garden/landscape design, room decorating or model making
• Photos/scans of sketchbooks or journals
• Samples of photography

Portfolios will be accepted in digital or physical formats.

Reflective Written Statement

Applicants must also include a comprehensive written statement that reflects interests in design as well as personal, educational and career goals.

Curricular Requirements

Students are required to complete a total of 30 credits (27 credits of core Foundations in Design courses and 3 credits of specified electives):

All of:
	FIND 1100	Design Processes, Methods and Materials	3 credits
	FIND 1110	Drawing for Design	3 credits
	FIND 1130	Design Explorations	3 credits
	FIND 1140	Colour Theories	3 credits
	FIND 1150	Designing for Humanity	3 credits
	FIND 1160	Communication through Visual Language	3 credits
	FIND 1200	Two-Dimensional Design	3 credits
	FIND 1210	Three-Dimensional Design	3 credits
	FIND 1220	Design History: 19th Century Onward	3 credits
One of:
	FIND 1121	Design Connections: Then & Now	3 credits
	FIND 1230	Drafting for Design	3 credits
	FIND 1240	Introduction to the Mac Digital Design Studio	3 credits

Other Information

Returning Foundations in Design students and students who successfully qualify for a seat in Foundations in Design will register early. Registering on the date and time provided in your instructions from the Office of Admissions is extremely important, as some course spaces may be made available to students from other KPU programs.

Please visit kpu.ca/find for more specific program information such as Tuition & Fees, Student Testimonials, Information for Parents, course specific project work, Frequently Asked Questions, Careers in Design etc.

Costs

In addition to tuition, students should be prepared to spend approximately $500 - $800 for project materials and photocopying during the program.

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Certificate of Foundations in Design.