Centennial College’s Design Foundation Program Provides Opportunities for Many

There are a variety of people who would benefit from attending Centennial College’s design foundation program. Designed to be completed in just two semesters and resulting in an Ontario College certificate, the program offers foundation courses in art to provide students with a theoretical, historical and hands-on view of art. If you are interested in drawing, painting, sculpting and other fine art, and wish to become a professional artist, this program may be for you. In addition, if you wish to attend one of Centennial College’s artistic programs but don’t meet the requirements, this program will help you to do that. These programs include: Digital Animation, Interactive Digital Media, and Game Design and Fine Arts Studio. For example, past student Carrie Fong used this arts design program to enter New Media Design. She says, “This program was the best thing I ever ‘had” to do as a requirement. It not only helped me get into New Media Design (also an excellent program offered at Centennial) but was delivered by wonderful, qualified instructors who obviously have a passion for their work. Not to mention the fact that most are actively involved in their profession outside of school, and bring their experience to the classroom. This quality came across in the lessons and helped make learning more enjoyable.”

So what can you expect in the two semesters of the design foundation program? First and foremost, the program was established in 1974 and has become a reliable and respected undertaking in the arts community. Centennial College ensures that faculty members are experienced and can not only deliver the curriculum but also share their own anecdotes to enhance courses. These courses include: College Communications (introduces the standards of college-level English and enables the student to develop skills in grammar, sentence variety, paragraph development, vocabulary, and reading comprehension); Digital Imaging (introductory course to a practical study of creative photography as applied to digital imaging); Colour Studio (uses a workshop/studio approach to examine the practice and theory of colour as used by artists and designers); Visual Design Fundamentals (studio course introduces the fundamentals of design as used in fine arts, design and illustration); and more.

One of the most important outcomes of the program is the development of a portfolio. Design foundation portfolios are used as a personal development and communication tool. This is emphasized in the course Portfolio Development, in which each student enhances artwork created in other courses into useful portfolio elements and completes a self-directed assignment as a portfolio element.

Instruction includes seminars, presentations, interviews and critiques. Emphasis is placed on the portfolio as a demonstration of personal growth.

Students applying for admission to this art design college program must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. The other academic requirement is compulsory English 12C or U, or skills assessment or equivalent. However, possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission.