Art Design College Program Offers You a Design Foundation

“Enrolling in the Arts and Design Foundations program at Centennial College was the best gift I could have given myself,” says Carol Ronney, a 2000 graduate. “I had worked as a professional photographer for many years and wanted to expand my art experiences and theory. This program gave me hands-on exposure to all forms and levels of visual art and there was step-by-step encouragement and support from the staff and faculty throughout.” Carol is just one example of a person who benefits from attending this art design college program. Other people who might benefit, include: those who need to build their portfolio and become prepared for more specialized programs in Digital Animation, Interactive Digital Media, Fine Arts Studio, Game Design or Graphic Design Media; those who want to have a career as a studio artist but want a solid foundation; and those who want to move onto university. Qualified graduates of the design foundation undertaking may be eligible to participate in an articulated program with selected universities, institutes and professional associations. These partnerships allow graduates to apply academic credit towards further study. Centennial College’s program partners include: Athabasca University, professional arts degree (Communication Studies) and
Ryerson University (Image Arts).

Established in 1974, this program is a unique blend of traditional and digital art that will prepare students with the critical basics for a career in art and design, animation and game design. This blend includes specific courses such as: Portfolio Development (students will enhance artwork created in other courses into useful portfolio elements and complete a self-directed assignment as a portfolio element); Colour Studio (uses a workshop/studio approach to examine the practice and theory of colour as used by artists and designers); Introduction to Figure Drawing (introductory course in drawing from the human figure involves fine art and technical approaches. Students will be given opportunities to develop drawing skills in a number of media and to apply traditional freehand drawing techniques); and more.

Students of this art design college program study out of the renowned Centre for Creative Communications campus, which is located in Canada’s cultural and artistic centre and offers extensive facilities. Among the facilities are large art studios and technologically advanced computer labs. The courses within the program are lead by industry professionals, who are able to offer students insight into the industry from their personal experiences. A dynamic working relationship between faculty and students is encouraged.

Students applying to the two-semester Art and Design Foundation Studies program are required to 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. Student will be placed in the appropriate English level based on skills assessment results.