DESCRIPTION
The Interdisciplinary Design Studies (IDDS) program offers students the opportunity to develop the fundamental knowledge, insights and skills common to the field of design and its diverse disciplines and to explore and assess educational and career options.
The IDDS program celebrates diversity of thought, philosophy, values and learning styles with a curriculum emphasizing personal development, creative problem solving and critical and contextual thinking.
Based on the four cornerstones of exploration, self-diagnosis, transition and fundamental skill development, some goals of the IDDS program include:
- Broaden knowledge of the options, opportunities and requirements within the field of design and its various disciplines.
- Encourage informed choices regarding future studies and career paths.
- Enable students to develop their own voices through the formation and expression of their ideas verbally and visually.
- Encourage self-expression respecting social, cultural, environmental, economic and ecological contexts.
- Broaden knowledge and understanding of the theories, methodologies and processes common to all disciplines of design.
STUDENT PROFILE
The IDDS program offers a comprehensive introduction to design studies and practice that is particularly appropriate for:
Graduates of secondary school
Students interested in a career in the field of design but who have not yet determined which discipline would suit them best. Students who have decided on a specific career path but need to expand their foundational skills and improve their portfolio as a means of gaining access to further design studies.
Current post-secondary students
Students in other design or related programs such as Marketing, Business, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising, Fine Arts, Social Sciences/Humanities wishing to complement their discipline specific knowledge and skills with IDDS learning outcomes (which include creative problem solving skills, critical and contextual thinking skills, conceptualization and visualization skills and individual and team presentation skills). Some IDDS courses are designated Liberal Education courses.
Graduates of post-secondary programs
Recent graduates from any discipline seeking to complement their discipline specific studies with the fundamental design skills mentioned above and supported in an interdisciplinary learning environment, stressing integration, collaboration and synthesis.
Mature students
Mature students seeking a transitional program where they can explore career and educational opportunities in the field of design and its diverse disciplines.
Mature students, working professionals, and Art/Design Educators interested in complementing and enhancing their professional development in areas such as creative problem solving, critical and contextual thinking, conceptualization and visualization capabilities.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
In addition to Kwantlen's general admission requirements students must also:
- Submit transcripts of secondary and/or post-secondary education including Art, Design and Academic courses (Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) of design-related experience is available).
- Submit a broad portfolio of project work that demonstrates creative interests and abilities. The following is intended as a guide only:
- Basic 2D and/or 3D fine arts projects including drawing, painting, photography (b & w, colour), printmaking, sculpture, colour studies, textiles, journals and/or sketchbooks of ideas, thoughts, images etc.
- Basic 2D and/or 3D design projects including typography, layout/composition, drafting, CAD, fashion design, landscape design, video production, computer/digital design, photography (b& w, colour), interior design, storyboards, journals and/or sketchbooks of ideas/image development, exploration of thoughts etc.
- Examples of creative writing, poetry, script writing, marketing/public relations plans, short films, handcrafts such as pottery, woodworking, sewing etc.
- Design-related work experience.
- A written statement reflecting personal goals, education and career goals (if possible) and what interests you about the field of design.
Note: Any projects too large to transport can be photographed as prints, slides or digital images.
Enrolment and Registrar Services will notify you of the exact date for portfolio submission.
For out-of-town applicants who cannot submit their portfolio in person, alternate arrangements must be made.
The IDDS program needs to retain your portfolio for two to three days, so if you are applying to more than one program or institution, it is your responsibility to coordinate your portfolio submissions.
Portfolio Review
The portfolio review for entry into the IDDS program generally takes place at the end of May for:
- Students who are applying directly into the IDDS program
- Students who may be referred by the Graphic Design for Marketing program to the IDDS program as an opportunity for upgrading.
Note: Students who do not qualify for the GDMA program and select the IDDS option will need to submit their portfolios to IDDS for review. They will be notified of that date by Admissions.
- Students who are unable to quality for other design diploma or degree programs at Kwantlen or other institutions and are looking for an opportunity to upgrade or begin their design studies.
- Mature students seeking an opportunity to explore alternative career and educational options in design or complement or enhance their professional development.
Applications are accepted for the IDDS program from November 1 to March 31. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible. Students who apply to GDMA and are referred to IDDS will keep their original application date.
Note: All IDDS students who apply to the GDMA program by
January 31, 2009 will be given priority by the GDMA program for an early portfolio
review in February 2009.
Please contact the Enrolment and Registrar Services office at 604.599.2000 for further details and answers to questions you may have.
CONTENT
Refer to timetables as course offerings may change year to year. Industry personnel may contact the Program Coordinator to access individual courses of interest without applying for the complete program. Access is determined by permission of the Coordinator and an availability of space.
A choice of: (select one only)
*Note: Students must choose IDDS 1362 or IDDS 1363 to complete their certificate requirements.
**Note: Designated IDDS Liberal Education courses.
Additional Information
Returning IDDS students and students who successfully qualify for a seat in IDDS have priority registration. Registering on your date and time (as per your instructions from Admissions) is extremely important as some seats may be made available to students from other Kwantlen programs taking designated IDDS Liberal Education courses. These students will not have priority registration nor qualify for the IDDS Certificate.
COSTS
In addition to tuition, students should be prepared to spend approximately $300.00 to $500.00 for project materials and photocopying during the program.
GRADUATION
Upon successful completion of this program (27 credits of IDDS courses and 3 credits of electives) students are awarded a Certificate in Interdisciplinary Design Studies.