Art meets science and gets wrapped in business

Last year I was asked by Sal Ferreras, Dean of music and design programs to sit on an Advisory Panel for the Digital Graphic Design program at Vancouver Community College. I recently made a visit to the downtown campus and chatted with Tene Barber, one of two instructors for the program.

Billed as a program to prepare for a career in the field of graphic design, it really focuses on preparing its students for working in the graphic design industry. Most applicants to the program have this as their primary focus however, some students do come with a fine arts background and use the skills they learn to promote their own businesses once they graduate.

The program started out in 2003 and for a few years it was difficult to get enough students to apply, but this year there were 90 applicants for 34 positions. The students are in two groups of 17. One group works through the morning, the other starts in the afternoon. The lab they work in has a great view of the Vancouver harbour and North Shore mountains but none of the students were looking at the view, they were instead intensely working in front of their Macs doing Photoshop retouching.

Earlier in the morning they’d been working on their current project and the “builds” looking at design choices and if they’d been using the software efficiently (workflow, cross-application compatibility, etc). A big part of the teaching is geared to be as “real-world” as possible. Their projects come with restraints of budget and scope so they can be well-prepared for many of the projects they will likely face once they graduate.

I’m glad they cover such common issues because they are things that I face on each project. The fact that many of my clients are non-profits makes it even more appropriate to be very aware of limitations before the design process begins.

Non Profit Organizations
Non profit organizations can approach the program to have a project done for them in exchange for a small scholarship (ranging from $200 – $1,000). The client comes in, is interviewed, then a brief is created. A second meeting happens for clarification of the project. Then, each student will create a style guide and a short presentation to the client. The client then takes the bundle of proposals back to their organization and chooses one of them. The “winning” student receives an award at the end of the year, their work is used and they get something to add to their portfolio.

The program is looking for non-profits to bring project ideas to the program. If you are a non-profit organization with a design project, contact Tene Barber for more information.

Tene showed me a diagram of how she suggests students approach every project. It’s something she remembered seeing on a TED talk from a few years ago. The diagram shows the yin and yang diagram where one represents Art, the other Science and around that is wrapped Business. (the following illustration is mine)

Art: Aesthetic considerations and design principles

Science: studies behind processing and decoding and mnemonics and semiotics

Business: Looking at what the client is trying to achieve and also your own business considerations and how you develop your client/business relationship.

I like this approach. It makes so much sense. It’s a great way to articulate what many designers do without really thinking about it, but acts as a reminder to make sure you are covering all the bases.

Success stories of graduates

Rihad Hashim Grad 2005

Joy Hanser Grad 2005

Nicola McGarry Grad 2007

Owen Covert – To the nines clothing (Owen’s designs are carried in many downtown shops like Big Cartel) Grad 2007 (Interview)

Emily Haggar Grad 2009

Zahra Hosseinkhan Grad 2010