Design Foundations

*Domestic applicants include Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons and Convention refugees.
Experience a year of goal-setting, learning new skills and refining existing skills with the guidance from industry experts through a variety of hands-on projects. The program centres on designing a sustainable future, and elements of this core value are integrated throughout the year.
Discover a range of design fields guided by our expert faculty, and build a design portfolio that stands out. This foundational study year introduces students to the fundamentals of 2D and 3D design principles, drawing and colour theory, idea development, research, presentation skills, portfolio development, design technologies, and communication skills.
Design certificate graduates can use their portfolio and refined skills to move towards a career or pursue further studies in:
Fanshawe’s Design Foundations program will help creative students find their fit and choose a specialty to further their academic studies. Graduates may find employment in retail stores selling paint, apparel or art supplies.
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Design Foundations program:
Paint Store Sales Associate
Responsible for stocking inventory, answering questions about different products, tinting paint and helping customers select paint colours and wallpaper.
Showroom Consultant
Listen to customer needs and determine the best solution for their home and budget.
Sales Representative
Manage customer inquiries in regards to quoting, colour consulting and customer service.
This fun course really opened my creative side. This is what kick started my desire to potentially make the right career choice. I would recommend this course to anyone. Thank you for helping me build my portfolio and start me on a career path that I am so passionate and excited about.
Leigh-Ann Waller
Test | Score |
---|---|
TOEFL iBT | 79 |
IELTS Academic | Overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands |
CAEL | Overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands. score of 80 in listening |
PTE Academic | 53 |
Cambridge English | Overall score of 169 with no language skill less than 162 |
ESL4/GAP5 | Minimum grade of 80% in Level 8, 75% in Level 9, or 70% in Level 10 |
Duolingo | Overall score of 105, with no score lower than 85 |
Level 1 | ||||
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
COMP-1498 | Computers for Design | 3 | ||
This course is designed as an introduction and general overview of the most used programs in the industry; Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Students will also learn the basics of photography and video editing for use in the field of design. Through the use of these tools the students will develop the skills required to create digital illustrations, capture and manipulate images and create video presentations. Students will improve on and learn new computer skills by completing projects that reinforce their understanding of these projects. | ||||
ARTS-1087 | Drawing Basics | 3 | ||
This course is an introduction to drawing as it relates to applied design. Students will learn basic objective and subjective sketching techniques using various media to depict a variety of subjects. Formal concepts such as line, texture, value, gesture, movement and perspective will be explored and used to broaden the capacity to draw from observation, memory, and imagination. | ||||
DESG-1091 | Colour & Design Studio | 2.5 | ||
This is an introductory course to fundamental concepts and elements used in two-dimensional design. Students explore aspects of design including the procedures, principles, and elements of design, and the conceptual thought processes involved in design. Through a series of projects, students will explore colour theory, the combination of colours, the psychology of colour and its importance in industry. Critical evaluation skills will play a key part of individual class discussion and group critiques. | ||||
DEVL-1061 | Design Pathways & Success Strategies | 3 | ||
Students are introduced to the many career options in design by examining various design disciplines and how they function within the industry. Pathways will be explored through the use of guest lectures, industry tours, research, information sessions and hands-on experimentation. Reflection reports are used to uncover the aptitudes and interests of students to assist them in creating an action plan for properly choosing a career in a design related field. | ||||
DESG-1092 | Designing a Sustainable Future | 3 | ||
This is a course developed to help students understand the impact and critical role of sustainable design. Through a series of workshops and interactive learning students will explore topics such as responsible consumption, environmental concerns, social and cultural issues and the economic implication, of sustainable design relating to food, shelter, transportation and waste. Students will study new design philosophies such as: Industry Symbiosis, Circular Economy, Sharing Economy, Biomimicry and Cradle to Cradle design. Students will be encouraged to use these concepts to developed ideas for new sustainable product, process and services that could become influencers for future design. | ||||
GRAF-1040 | Creative Concepts 1 | 3 | ||
This course is designed to develop and explore the innate creativity within the students. This course guides students through explorations of various media in order to reflect upon and express their unique personality and creativity within their cultural context. | ||||
WRIT-1036 | Reason & Writing 1-Art & Design | 3 | ||
This course introduces students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. |
*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.