Foundations in Design: Certificate

Description

Students looking to explore their options in building a career in design can start with the Foundation in Design program. Develop skills and create a dynamic portfolio in a studio environment with a diverse mix of high school grads, current post-secondary students as well as mature students. Students may attend on a full or part-time basis.

If you are curious enough to pursue a career in design, begin with FIND. The one-year certificate program offers an opportunity to engage in the exploration and development of fundamental design skills while giving room to grow talents. FIND can be the first step towards a new career. FIND is rooted in discovering how design influences people. Our projects encourage students to address real world problems through creating design solutions. Focusing on core concepts like creative thinking, design theory, team building skills, communication, and analysis of design, this program prepares students for success, and creates a bridge to future studies or to one of KPU's other 6 design programs.

We believe in exploration of concepts to build into a career in design. FIND gives students the chance to FIND their design passions, FIND their inner designer and FIND a design career.

Students in the FIND program have the opportunity of exploring various facets of design. For a look at what we do go to:  http://www.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
• Transcripts from high school and any post-secondary institutions attended (Note: transcripts sent with your application for admission are not available to faculty – you must include a copy in your portfolio)

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):

Core courses - all of:
	FIND 1100	Design Processes, Methods and Materials	3 credits
	FIND 1110	Drawing for Design	3 credits
	FIND 1220	Design History: 19th Century Onward	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
Electives - 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 register early. Registering on your date and time (as per your instructions from the Office of Admissions) is extremely important, as some seats may be made available to students from other KPU programs taking designated Foundations in Design breadth courses.

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.