Shape Your Career in Interaction Design and Visual Communication

Hands-on design learning at Capilano University’s IDEA School of Design.

This article was originally written by Jasper Chu for Capilano University.

At Capilano University’s IDEA School of Design, you can turn creativity into a career through immersive, hands-on learning in digital design, storytelling, and emerging technologies.

Hands-on learning in interaction design

The Interaction Design Diploma combines user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, visual communication, motion graphics, web and app design, coding fundamentals, branding, typography, and digital production workflows. Students work in project-based environments that reflect real industry conditions, where collaboration, experimentation, and creative problem-solving are central to the learning experience.

Studio-based visual communication degree

In the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication, students also explore illustration, art direction, editorial and environmental design, interactive media, and publishing. The program is delivered in an immersive, studio-based format, where peer learning and critique are central to the experience. Students also have opportunities to broaden their perspective through international exchange partnerships with institutions such as Hokkaido College of Art & Design in Sapporo, Japan, and Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen, Scotland, as well as short-term learning experiences in global creative hubs including New York City, Toronto, and Mexico City.

Learning with industry-connected instructors

Students learn from instructors with extensive professional design experience and strong industry connections. As instructor Jai Djaw explains, “Whether you are a student who just graduated from high school or a mid-career professional, the program will get you into work very quickly with all the skills you need.” He adds that students who are “passionate about technology, art and design, video games, or improving user experiences” tend to thrive in the program’s applied, hands-on environment.

Career-ready portfolios and human-centred thinking

Across both programs, students develop professional portfolios through applied projects, collaborative assignments, and industry-informed challenges. Graduates gain experience in areas such as UX/UI design, motion and interaction design, branding, digital publishing, illustration, and visual storytelling, preparing them for roles in studios, agencies, tech companies, and creative organizations.

As program alumni Tierny Milne describes, the experience involved “working on infographics and experiential campaigns that were geared at trying to find novel ways of capturing people’s attention, keeping them engaged, and trying to improve their mental state.” She adds that she enjoyed “thinking about how people respond to colours and patterns and what sort of emotions these tend to elicit.”

Industry professionals also emphasize the importance of human-centred thinking in design. Digital marketing agency co-founder Darren Barefoot notes that “the most important quality in this field is empathy. Can they put themselves in their users’ shoes? Not just intellectually, but also emotionally.”

Capstone, practicum, and grad showcase

In the Interaction Design Diploma, students complete a capstone project that integrates research, design thinking, and technical execution to build a professional portfolio piece. In the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication, students complete an intensive practicum placement, allowing them to apply their skills in a real-world professional setting. Graduating students showcase their work at the annual Grad Showcase, where industry guests, employers, and creative professionals engage with student projects. This milestone event marks the transition from classroom learning to professional practice, with students leaving with industry-ready portfolios and real-world experience.

Ready to learn more about the IDEA School of Design?

Visit the Interaction Design Diploma and Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication program pages on the Capilano University website for details on admission requirements, course structure, tuition, and upcoming information sessions.