Design and Applied Arts Programs In Canada

Quick Facts

Credential
· Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
· Bachelor of Design (BDes)
· Bachelor of Industrial Design (BID)
· Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA)
· Bachelor of Applied Design (BAD)
· Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT)
· Bachelor of Media Arts (BMA)
· Diploma/ Certificate

Program Length
· 3- 4 years for Bachelor's degree
· 2-3 years for Diploma
· 12 - 52 weeks for Certificate

Entry
· Bachelor's Degree - direct entry; entry after 1 or 2 years of certificate or diploma study
· Diploma/ Certificate - direct entry

Areas of Study
· General arts, design, craft, decorative arts
· Specialization areas include industrial or product design, graphic design, web design, video game design, fashion design and marketing, costume design, interior design, architectural design, environmental design, advertising, jewellery, applied photography, ceramics, metalwork, textiles and interdisciplinary design.

Special Features
· public exhibitions/ shows of student work
· international exchange/ study abroad
· industry internships

The study of design and applied arts provides a wide variety of educational and career options for creative-minded students. Whether it's in a design faculty or program at a general education university, or at a university specializing only in art and design, you can enter the first year of the Bachelor's program directly from high school. Degree options include a three- or four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Design (BDes), Bachelor of Applied Design (BAD), Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA), Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT), Bachelor of Industrial Design (BID) or Bachelor of Media Arts (BMA) degree. Finding the right program can sometimes require creativity in itself: you should look for programs in a university's Faculty of Arts, Fine Arts, Applied Design and Communications, Applied Arts, Applied Media, Applied Technology and even Engineering and Design.

Choosing your degree is only part of the process. Within the Bachelor of Design (BDes) you can major in a wide variety of areas, such as industrial or product design, graphic design, web design, video game design, fashion design and marketing, costume design, interior design, architectural design, environmental design, advertising and interdisciplinary design. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) allows for majors in design, ceramics, jewellery and/ or metalsmithing, photography and textiles. Those interested in industrial design can choose to take a Bachelor of Industrial Design (BID), Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) or Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA).

Most university-level programs combine theoretical, historical and cultural learning with practical studio or lab work, and often culminate in public shows or performances of students' art. Field trips and study abroad sessions are sometimes optional, sometimes compulsory, so that you are exposed to important examples of design and applied art works "live." Class sizes are generally small, thereby providing an intimate and personal education that encourages exploration and development of your own artistic vision--vision that is reflected in the professional portfolio built up during the course of study.

Many community colleges also offer design and/ or applied arts programs, with some colleges dedicated solely to this field. Their programs are usually one- to two-year diplomas or certificates that prepare students for employment. These credentials may also qualify for university transfer credit. Some design and community college programs also include business skills.

Private career colleges provide training for specific design and applied arts careers based on industry demand. Typically lasting between 12-52 weeks, video game and web design programs are offered by some private computer and technology career colleges, while career colleges devoted to design and other applied arts (such as commercial photography or fashion) are also available. As well, some career colleges teaching courses in a variety of disciplines may also offer design and applied arts programs, so it's important to search thoroughly. Career colleges emphasize hands-on training and workplace skills while exposing students to important industry connections. In fact, industry internships are often part of the curriculum.