Design Foundations

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Courses - January 2026

Level 1

Course details

Introduction to Design
ARTS1101

Description:

This course will introduce students to the theories for visually organizing elements and principles of two-dimensional design in order to produce effective compositions. Students will build technical skill as well as design knowledge. Elements of design (line, shape, space, texture, value, and colour) will be related to the principles of design (balance, proportion, repetition, contrast, harmony, unity, contrast, emphasis, and movement) to enable the student to employ visual awareness and dynamics in the field of two-dimensional design. A variety of tools, materials, and techniques will be explored in the creation of final designs. Critical evaluation skills will play a key part of individual class discussion and group critiques.

  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

Creative Process I
ARTS1110

Description: The theories behind creativity and ideation will be explored in this course. Students will draw inspiration from a variety of sources including psychology and the history of art and design. Research, brainstorming, lateral and divergent thinking, inspiration, writing, mind mapping, and drawing will be explored and utilized to generate ideas and solve design problems. Students will learn how to utilize the creative process to take an initial concept though to a finished form, which will contribute to the development of their personal portfolios. A variety of traditional and experimental media and techniques will be explored. Critical thinking skills will be integrated into discussion of design concepts and group critique.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Introduction to Digital Design
ARTS1805

Description: This course will introduce students to the tools and applications of industry digital design software and when each should be used. Students will learn basic tools, commands, and file management while working in the digital environment. Through demonstrations, exercises, and projects, students will strengthen their knowledge of design theory as they apply the elements and principles of design to compositions within a digital environment.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

College Reading & Writing Skills
COMM1085

Description: This course introduces students to the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills needed for academic and workplace success. Students will analyse a variety of texts and apply the steps of planning, writing, and revising to produce writing that meets the expectations of selected audiences and purposes. The course prepares students for college-level writing tasks, research, and documentation by asking them to produce clear, informed, and purposeful documents relevant to both academic and professional contexts.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.
  • Hours: 1
  • Credits: 0
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Design History A
GRDN1065

Description: This course is a survey of the origins, history and theory of graphic design through an examination of prominent movements and people. Design History A covers the time periods from ancient civilizations up to the 1900s. This course will introduce the terminology, historic references, and principles that have influenced design. The course will be delivered by faculty lectures, student presentations, and conferences and/or field trips, and special events.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: $248.20

Illustration 1
GRDN1080

Description: This course establishes the fundamentals of illustration skills through experimentation with a variety of traditional and digital media, in-class lectures, critiques, and rendering tools and techniques. Projects focus on experimentation of illustration skills and specific reference to contemporary illustrators.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Level 2

Course details

Life Drawing
ARTS1125

Description: This drawing course will introduce students to the practice of Life Drawing and will help build an understanding of proportion and basic human anatomy. Students will learn traditional observational drawing techniques while working with live nude models in both short and sustained poses. Concepts such as armature, gesture, contour, tonal shading, and cubic form will be employed as students create increasingly more complex observational drawings. Students will use a range of traditional drawing media and techniques to execute drawings. Life Drawing is a portfolio requirement for many programs and is an excellent addition to any portfolio.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

2D and 3D Design
ARTS1130

Description: This course builds upon the design theory introduced in Intro to Design, and introduces students to the principles of economy, movement, and time, as well as the elements and principles of three-dimensional design. The creative process will be utilized to develop original concepts and design solutions for a variety of industry-inspired projects. Students will explore and utilize a variety of traditional and nontraditional tools, materials, and techniques as they produce two and three-dimensional designs. Students will also demonstrate applied skills and critical thinking through class discussion, critique, and design challenges.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Digital Production
ARTS1160

Description: In this course students will learn to create digital designs from concept to completion, and will create press, online and mobile ready files using industry standard software. Through a series of exercises and projects, students will further develop their visual literacy by applying the creative process and design theory to the digital environment. Students will gain a working knowledge of technical requirements and efficiencies associated with the design and production process.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Creative Process II
ARTS1826

Description:

This course is a continuation of ARTS1110 - Creative Process I and further explores the theories associated with the development of creative ideas. This course will allow students to strategize and engage with the creative processes of the industry, Research, brainstorming, inspiration, and idea generation strategies will be utilized to solve increasingly complex visual communication problems. By applying these strategies to industry inspired projects, students will gain the necessary tools to take their initial concepts to the finished presentation stage as they develop work for their personal portfolios.

  • Hours: 70
  • Credits: 5
  • Pre-Requisites: ARTS1110
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

Portfolio and Design Presentation Skills
COMM1008

Description:

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop and hone their presentation skills with a focus on preparing and pitching a portfolio of creative work. Both individual and group work will be utilized in the development of visual, verbal, and vocal presentation skills. Students will develop strategies to organize and present information and visual portfolio work in a variety of formats to various audiences.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Photography 1
PHOT1320

Description: In this course students build fundamental applied knowledge of terms and techniques for digital photography and its purpose in the graphic design industry. Students use the camera and digital photographic processes as creative and versatile tools for specific design solutions. Students develop technical skills focusing on lighting techniques for different subject matter in a photo studio.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Please note:

Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs are based on the most recent available data through the Conestoga Campus Store.

Program outcomes

  1. Utilize design theory and a wide range of materials, techniques, and technology to create two and three-dimensional designs.
  2. Implement design processes and theories of idea generation to create original concepts that solve design problems.
  3. Utilize industry terminology in the form of written rationales and presentations to articulate design decisions.
  4. Apply historical concepts and methods of art and design to articulate their influence in contemporary work.
  5. Develop an original collection of creative work in a range of traditional and digital media and styles to present in a comprehensive portfolio.
  6. Communicate professionally using appropriate language, strategies, and techniques to foster interpersonal relationships and a digital presence.