Design Formation

How many students are accepted?


Up to 40 students are accepted each September semester.

How many students apply?


Approximately 150 students apply each year.

What is the English language requirement for Design Formation?


Consult the Admission Requirements tab for current requirements.

Do I need a portfolio?

Yes. An entry portfolio is required to apply for Design Formation. Your portfolio will be reviewed during an interview with a faculty member. Details are below.

Instructions
When you are ready, email us to organize a portfolio review. We will respond to your email with instructions on where and how to upload it. After submitting, you will receive instructions on how to schedule the interview with a member of the admissions committee.

Portfolio Requirements
For the portfolio, you will submit 10 samples of creative work as one multi-page .pdf. The portfolio must include 10 samples, but you can include as many pages as you need to document process, images of 3D pieces or additional information about the piece. The file should be no larger than 20 MB. Links to websites are not accepted.

Portfolio Content
The portfolio should contain:

• Three (3) or more hand-drawn sketches on paper. If possible, please include sketches of 3D objects or spaces drawn in perspective. If you keep a sketchbook, you may show pages from it. *These sketches do not have to be high quality renderings – we want to see that you can express ideas visually by hand.
• Samples of any creative work. For 2D work, you may submit drawings, painting, graphic design, drafting, or any other creative work. For 3D work, you may submit photos of objects you’ve created as sculpture, jewelry, crafts, woodworking, sewing projects, digital 3D objects, or physical or virtual spaces you have designed.   

Additional Work
You have the option to submit up to five (5) pieces of additional work as a separate submission. For additional work, you may submit .pdfs, .jpgs or .mp4 files. Additional work should not be larger than 10 MB/file. Additional work may include: 

• Photography as serious compositional work. 
• Videos as standalone work or demonstration of process.
• Images from sketchbooks or any other additional work.

Interviews
The interviews are held via zoom and typically last about 30 minutes. You will be asked to talk about at least two (2) of the projects in the portfolio in depth, including the concepts and techniques used. Think of this as “why did you make it?” and “how did you make it?”

How do I apply?


Click on the Admission Requirements link in the right hand column. Underneath is an Apply Now link to start your application!

What if I already have a post-secondary degree in design?

The Design Formation program is intended for students who have little to no formal experience as a designer. Design Formation is considered a foundational two-year program that is based on the fundamentals of different types of design methodologies. Students who have previous degrees or professional experience in design are often considered overqualified for admission.

Can I complete Design Formation on a part-time basis?

No. The Design Formation program is a full-time, cohort-based program. We recommend a full-time commitment to the program along with your graduating class, as much of the coursework relies on teamwork and collaboration.

Can I work part-time?

Yes, though we recommend only on evenings and weekends. Keep in mind that Design Formation classes run from Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 3:30, and the second year is considerably more intensive.

Will I be the only “mature” student?


Incoming students to the Design Formation program range from high school graduates to those with experience in the field looking to upgrade their credentials and refresh their skills. The comprehensive and adaptable program is appealing to students of all ages and backgrounds. Students who have had the most success in the program are creatively minded, have excellent time management skills, and work well with others in a collaborative environment.

What is the approximate cost?


Please reference our Cost of Study tool to determine tuition and college fees. 

Tuition fees for International students click on this link:

http://langara.ca/registration-and-records/tuition-and-service-fees/international-student-fees.html

Do I need to do any preparation for September courses?


On the first day of classes you will be given your tool list. No preparation is necessary.

What certification will I earn?


A student successfully completing Design Formation will earn a diploma. A diploma is 60 or more credits and is typically offered in four semesters.

What can I do post graduation?


Design Formation graduates have gone on to follow a variety of paths within the design field, making the program a versatile investment. Many have been accepted to universities across Canada to continue with design studies, others have continued with further studies at Langara. Our program contains a career preparation portion that aims to prepare students for exit; so many also seek entry level jobs in various fields such as home staging, merchandizing, and graphic and interior design.

Are there any Scholarships available?

Design Formation has several scholarships and awards to recognize and support the outstanding achievement of our students but only available for second year students since most of them are based on GPA.

Langara College administers a Bursary program, please check this link to see the specifics:

http://langara.ca/student-services/financial-aid/bursaries/

Is it possible to skip some of the courses if I already have a degree?

All the Design Formation core courses are mandatory. We only transfer courses as unassigned electives if they are related to Design and English or Communication University transfer courses that match our requirements.

Do you have a co-op program for students in the program to get job experience?

We have a 2 week practicum at the end of the program and some of our students have gotten jobs from that experience.

Would I have a portfolio by the end of the program?

Yes that's the main focus of the program to produce a portfolio so students can apply to other institutions for a specialized degree in design at any national or international university or to an entry level job in the industry.