Helping Canadians get back to work.

Visual College of Art and Design

549 Howe Street, Vancouver BC

Possible funding to those who qualify*

  • B.C. Access Grant

Programs

Programs offered at each campus may vary, so be sure to check other campus offerings for the course you are most interested in.

Creative Arts, Interactive, Sound Programs

  • Are you enthusiastic about 3D animation and eager to channel that enthusiasm into a creative and exciting career? Join the 3D Modeling Animation Art and Design diploma program at VCAD, where you'll gain the essential tools and skills needed to thrive in the computer-generated animation industry. In this program, you'll explore the art and techniques of three-dimensional animation and design, with a special focus on the video game development process.

    This includes creating storyboards, setting up scenes, and designing environments and levels for games. Moreover, you'll develop 3D characters and animate them using leading industry software. By the end of your studies, your portfolio will not only showcase your skills but also feature your unique and creative animation projects.

    Career opportunities are plentiful across CGI-dependent industries, including computer animation studios, game development firms, and post-production and special effects studios. Potential job titles include 3D modeler, character modeler, technical artist, and junior production designer. You might also find employment in industrial design firms, software development companies, or any organization that requires professional 3D graphics and animation.

  • Prepare for a rewarding career in architectural design with VCAD's Architectural Design Technology diploma program. This comprehensive program trains you for positions like cost estimator, building materials associate, architectural technician, and CAD modeler, among others. You'll gain the expertise and practical experience needed to succeed in the architectural industry.

  • Do you have a distinctive style flair? Are you drawn to fabrics and vibrant colors? Do you use your wardrobe to express yourself? If so, it's time to transform your passion into a fashionable career! Enroll in the Fashion Design diploma program at VCAD and learn to turn your creative visions into stunning garments and accessories, making your mark in the fashion world.

    This program will foster your creativity and provide practical training with industry-standard tools and equipment. You'll build a strong base in garment and apparel design, fashion merchandising, visual display techniques, and fashion show production. By the end of your studies, your portfolio will not only demonstrate your skills but also reflect your unique style and creative flair.

    Opportunities for career advancement are plentiful in the fashion industry, including roles such as junior designers, stylists, pattern makers, and wardrobe consultants. Fashion retailers also seek skilled professionals for roles in marketing, visual merchandising, and purchasing.

    Upon completing this program, you will be capable of:

    • Applying fundamental design theories to tackle fashion design challenges.
    • Utilizing your knowledge and skills from studying modern fashion illustration, design concepts, and techniques to create original garments that meet and exceed industry standards.
    • Understanding and effectively communicating design ideas across manufacturing, marketing, and merchandising sectors within the industry.
    • Making compelling arguments about how major fashion trends and periods have evolved from historical influences and affect future styles.
    • Discussing the influence of fashion history on styling, design, and display.
    • Constructing and evaluating garments to assess their construction quality, design effectiveness, finishing techniques, and pricing.
    • Analyzing various apparel classifications—men’s, women’s, and children’s—considering price points, fit, construction, and market demand.
    • Grasping the essentials of product development, apparel production, and textile life cycles and their effects on design, merchandising, and marketing.
    • Recognizing the significance of fashion forecasting in the design, marketing, and merchandising of apparel.
    • Developing a comprehensive portfolio that includes original design work, technical flats, specifications, photographs, a promotional kit, and a final themed collection of at least four original pieces.
  • Do you have a passion for crafting the perfect living or workspace? Are you fascinated by materials and fabrics, and do you find joy in selecting the right piece of furniture to express yourself creatively? If these resonate with you, consider turning your passion into a lucrative and creative career. The Interior Design diploma program at VCAD is designed to enhance your creative vision and equip you with the skills needed to excel as an interior designer.

    In this program, you will gain a comprehensive overview of the field of interior design, starting with fundamental design principles and color theory. You will also learn essential skills in drafting, space planning, and the use of industry-standard software. The curriculum focuses on developing interior design concepts and layouts suitable for residential, commercial, industrial, and public spaces. By the conclusion of the program, your portfolio will demonstrate your proficiency in project development and your ability to market your services as a professional interior designer.

    Career prospects in this field are broad and diverse, offering roles such as interior designer, design consultant, project manager, and planner.

  • Space, lighting, and design significantly influence how individuals feel, think, work, and interact. Interior design is not just a career; it's a creative journey that allows you to infuse beauty and functionality into the lives of others.

    VCAD's Interior Design program equips you with a comprehensive skill set that enhances your creative vision, enabling you to excel in the field of interior design. The program offers an introduction to essential design principles, color theory, space planning, drafting, and the use of industry-standard software.

    Throughout the course, students engage in creating effective and aesthetically pleasing designs for residential, commercial, industrial, and public spaces. Upon graduation, you will have a professional portfolio that showcases your ability to design versatile environments and prepares you to start your career as an interior designer, planner, project manager, or design consultant.

Technology, Networking Programs

  • Are you eager to turn your video gaming passion into a professional career? The Game Development and Design program equips graduates with the robust technical and artistic foundations necessary to enter the thriving gaming industry. This program teaches you the essentials of storytelling, game design, gameplay, modeling, and animation techniques. You'll also dive into color theory, design fundamentals, and life drawing, applying industry-standard software tools and techniques throughout the production process.

    Career opportunities abound in various CGI-based industries such as computer animation studios, game development companies, post-production, and special effects studios. Graduates may also find roles in industrial design firms, software production companies, or any organization that requires the creation of 3D graphics and animation.

Business, Accounting, Marketing Programs

  • Are you captivated by page layouts, intrigued by product packaging, and fascinated by typography? If these aspects of design stir your creativity, consider turning your passion into a vibrant and rewarding career. By joining the Graphic Design diploma program at VCAD, you will enhance your artistic talents and develop a comprehensive skill set that prepares you for a successful career as a graphic designer.

    This program offers a deep dive into both traditional and digital graphic design practices, covering essential areas such as drawing, design principles, color theory, and typography. You will also become proficient with the standard software used in the industry. Your training will enable you to create compelling designs for publications, packaging, advertising, corporate branding, and websites. By the time you graduate, you will have a portfolio that not only demonstrates your creative flair but also showcases your extensive professional skills.

    Career opportunities for graphic designers are plentiful and varied, extending across graphic design firms, marketing agencies, advertising companies, and more. You'll find graphic designers needed at magazines, newspapers, printing companies, web development firms, and even in event promotions and planning services.

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  • The Marketing and Merchandising for Fashion diploma program prepares students with the diverse skills needed to excel in the fast-paced fashion industry. This detailed curriculum includes studying consumer behavior, strategic marketing planning, managing product life cycles, optimizing retail channels, and mastering effective merchandising techniques.

    Graduates develop a deep understanding of customer engagement, relationship management, market research, trend analysis, fashion styling, pricing strategies, and the intricacies of apparel production. This robust foundation equips them for a variety of career paths in fashion, such as marketing, merchandising, brand management, consulting, and trend forecasting, enabling them to blend creative flair with business savvy in the dynamic fashion sector.

    Earning a diploma in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising opens the door to a range of career opportunities within the fashion industry.

    Graduates are well-positioned to pursue positions including fashion buyer, retail manager, marketing coordinator, fashion merchandiser, stylist, brand manager, trend forecaster, entrepreneur, and fashion consultant. Armed with comprehensive skills and in-depth industry knowledge, graduates are poised to make a substantial impact in various roles within fashion marketing and merchandising.

  • The fashion industry is dynamic and constantly evolving, keeping professionals engaged with the latest trends in design, apparel production, and promotional strategies. If you're ready for a challenge, the Marketing and Merchandising for Fashion – Marketing Specialization program at VCAD is designed for you.

    This program offers an intensive exploration of e-business, global marketing, the fashion product lifecycle, and other key areas in fashion marketing and merchandising. You'll gain a deep understanding of how to navigate the complexities of the fashion world, setting you up for success in a competitive industry.

    By the conclusion of the program, you will have compiled a professional portfolio that not only showcases your skills in fashion marketing and merchandising but also strengthens your applications for career opportunities in buying, retail management, marketing, and publicity.

    Upon completing this program, you will be equipped to:

    • Illustrate and bring to life fashion design concepts.
    • Utilize advanced fashion illustration techniques to solve contemporary marketing challenges.
    • Discuss the historical impact of fashion trends on successive generations of designers.
    • Analyze garments and their construction methods to assess quality and technique.
    • Strategically map different apparel classifications to their appropriate target markets and promotional campaigns.
    • Understand and articulate the processes of product development, apparel production, and textile lifecycles and how these influence successful merchandising and marketing.
    • Explain the significance of branding and private labels in driving sales.
    • Develop and present detailed sales and advertising plans, employing industry-standard tools for competitive analysis.
    • Identify and apply concepts of target marketing, market segmentation, and niche marketing to optimize product placement and sales strategies.
    • Define retailing concepts and outline strategic planning processes essential for achieving return on investment.
    • Effectively write, present, and evaluate business plans and proposals.
    • Actively participate in and contribute to team success.
    • Build and maintain a professional network that supports career growth.

Vancouver Campus

Speed Up Your Education Accelerate your education to enter your chosen creative profession more quickly.

State-of-the-Art Labs Our labs are equipped with the latest Mac and PC technology, featuring software like Adobe Creative Suite, Maya, Lumion, and more.

Practical Learning Experience Engage in hands-on learning by developing a practical portfolio, showcased at a graduate exhibition for potential employers.


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*All student funding, whether made available privately or through various government branches, is only approved to those who qualify, by the original source of funding. There are many criteria that each candidate must meet to be approved. Schools can only inform you of what may be available.