Art and Design Foundation Program (G108)
Program Description
Program Overview
The Art and Design Foundation certificate program is your gateway to mastering a diverse range of art and design disciplines in just one year. This program offers a rich blend of knowledge and hands-on skills tailored for those eager to expand their creative horizons in a dynamic studio setting. Whether you're aiming to enhance your portfolio or seeking a foundation for advanced studies, this program invites you to unleash your potential in an environment that celebrates innovation and creativity. Join us to transform your artistic passion into a professional pursuit.
Full Description
Embark on a transformative journey with our one-year Art and Design Foundation certificate program, designed to equip you with practical, creative and critical-thinking skills in art and design. Through our immersive studio-based curriculum, you'll develop a compelling portfolio featuring a diverse range of analog and digital projects, positioning you for success in diploma or degree-level programs.
In your first semester, you'll dive into the language of art and design, explore art history and master the basics of observational drawing, form and space, photography and digital design. As you progress to the second semester, you'll hone advanced skills, delve into creative problem-solving techniques, and explore the foundations of colour theory and practice.
Our portfolio showcase workshops connect you with professional practitioners in the creative industries, providing insights into building successful portfolios. Additionally, optional courses allow you to tailor your learning experience to acquire specific skills for your future educational goals.
Join us and unlock your creative potential in an environment that fosters innovation and artistic growth.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Educational Pathways
Graduates of the program with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 are eligible for direct entry into the George Brown Graphic Design or the Interaction Design program.
Alumni Impact
We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.
Latest alumni stories
Courses
Required Courses
Semester 1
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| ART 1019 | Foundation Drawing I: Observational Drawing and Composition |
| ART 1020 | Foundation Design I: Form and Space |
| ART 1029 | Introduction to Digital Media |
| ART 1030 | Introduction to Photography |
| ART 1031 | Art Culture |
| COMM 2000 | Communicating Across Contexts* |
Semester 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| ART 1021 | Foundation Design II: Colour Theory and Practice |
| ART 1036 | Art and Design Portfolio Showcase |
| DESN 1020 | Design Process |
| Choose three Program related electives from the list below | |
Electives
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| ART 1024 | Foundation Drawing II: Life Drawing* |
| ART 1025 | 3D Materials and Techniques |
| ART 1033 | Multimedia Storytelling |
| ART 1035 | Advanced Digital Media |
| ART 1040 | Painting and Mixed Media Studio |
| ART 1043 | Photography: People, Concepts and Stories |
| DESN 1084 | 2D Digital Art I |
*Please note that Foundation Drawing II involves life drawing.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:
- Create two- and three-dimensional designs using a wide range of materials, processes and techniques.
- Use the design process to develop and solve visual problems using various strategies for idea generation.
- Apply the formal elements and principles of design.
- Utilize a variety of presentation skills across a wide range of media appropriate to portfolios and public and private venues.
- Develop skills in portfolio presentation in a variety of media through studio-based projects.
- Articulate art concepts, history and the role of art in society for the general public.
- Manage personal digital presence/brand by participating in professional communities of practice.
Art & Design Foundation Information Session
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
International Tuition
Additional Costs
*Amounts listed are the estimated total tuition, materials (non-refundable), student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2024. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2025 and at later dates. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
** Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2025. Tuition fees are subject to board approval. Material, student service and ancillary fees are estimated based on prior years. All fees are subject to change without notice. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
† Portfolio kit: $200–$300 not included in fees.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
Each year we award over $2 million dollars in scholarships, awards and bursaries to first-year students. Check out our financial aid web pages for ways to pay for college and the full list of available scholarships, awards and bursaries.
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below.
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent**
- grade 12 English (C or U)
We recommend that applicants should have taken at least one high school-level art class and have some basic experience in areas such as photography, illustration and digital image creation.
** Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older and no OSSD)
Mature students may take the Admissions Assessment for English OR may consider upgrading to achieve the credit(s) needed in English.
Please note that George Brown is committed to ensuring that applicants will succeed in their program of choice and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants may be required to have grades higher than the minimum requirements stated.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit Transfer Guide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Design
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2137
Email: design@georgebrown.ca
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Visit Our Campus
This program is part of our School of Design, located at our Waterfront Campus, at 3 Lower Jarvis St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
School of Design Building
The School of Design resides in a new 103,000-square-foot facility in the Daniels Waterfront – City of the Arts development. This state-of-the-art building supports academic programs and industry projects with features such as:
- virtual and augmented reality lab
- usability and testing lab
- future Ways of Living lab
- peer tutor lab
- digital sandbox
- incubators
- prototyping and workshop spaces
- design and innovation showcase spaces
Come and have your questions answered, learn about the program content and career options, meet your friendly professors and staff and experience what it is like to be in a George Brown College classroom at one of our information sessions. You can also book a campus tour or explore our virtual tour.
Art and Design Foundation Program (G108)
Program Description
Program Overview
Art and Design Foundation is a one-year certificate program that will give you a broad base of expert knowledge and technical skills in art and design. If you want to explore a variety of art and design disciplines, develop your portfolio for further studies, and gain creative skills in a studio-based environment, then this program is for you.
Full Description
In the one-year Art and Design Foundation certificate program, you'll gain practical, creative, and critical thinking skills in art and design. Develop your portfolio throughout our studio-based curriculum, as you integrate a variety of both analog and digital projects. You can use your portfolio whether you choose to apply to a diploma or degree-level art and design program.
In your first semester, we'll introduce you to the language of art and design, history of art, and the foundations of observational drawing, form and space, photography, and digital design. Then in your second semester, you'll learn advanced skills and creative problem-solving techniques in design process, plus the foundations of colour theory and practice.
The portfolio showcase workshops will introduce you to professional practitioners in the creative industries and their unique experiences of building successful portfolios. You can also choose optional courses to gain specific skills needed for your future education.*
*You can consult with the program's academic co-ordinator about your second semester course selection and future educational pathways.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Educational Pathways
Graduates of the program with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 are eligible for direct entry into the George Brown Graphic Design or the Interaction Design program.
Alumni Impact
We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.
Latest alumni stories
Courses
Required Courses
SEMESTER 1
| Code | Course Name | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|
| ART1019 | Foundation Drawing I: Observational Drawing and Composition | |
| ART1020 | Foundation Design I: Form and Space | |
| ART1029 | Introduction to Digital Media | |
| ART1030 | Introduction to Photography | |
| ART1031 | Art Culture | |
| COMM 2000 | Communicating Across Contexts |
SEMESTER 2
| Code | Course Name | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|
| ART1021 | Foundation Design II: Colour Theory and Practice | ART1020 |
| ART1036 | Art and Design Portfolio Showcase | ART1020 and ART1029 |
| DESN1020 | Design Process | ART1020 |
| 3 of: | ||
| ART1024 | Foundation Drawing II: Life Drawing* | ART1019 |
| ART1040 | Painting and Mixed Media Studio | ART1019 |
| ART1025 | 3D Materials and Techniques | |
| ART1035 | Advanced Digital Media | ART1029 |
| ART1033 | Multimedia Storytelling | ART1029 |
| ART1043 | Photography: People, Concepts and Stories | ART1030 |
| DESN1084** | 2D Digital Art I |
*Please note that Foundation Drawing II involves life drawing.
**DESN1084 is a dual credit with G119 (Game — Art)
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:
- Create two- and three-dimensional designs using a wide range of materials, processes and techniques.
- Use the design process to develop and solve visual problems using various strategies for idea generation.
- Apply the formal elements and principles of design.
- Utilize a variety of presentation skills across a wide range of media appropriate to portfolios, public and private venues.
- Develop skills in portfolio presentation in a variety of media through studio-based projects.
- Articulate art concepts, history and the role of art in society to the general public.
- Manage personal digital presence/brand by participating in professional communities of practice.
Art & Design Foundation Information Session
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
International Tuition
Additional Costs
*Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials (non-refundable), student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2023. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2024 and at later dates. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
** Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2024. Tuition fees are subject to board approval. Material, student service and ancillary fees are estimated based on prior years. All fees are subject to change without notice. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
† Portfolio kit: $200–$300 not included in fees.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
Each year we award over $2 million dollars in scholarships, awards and bursaries to first-year students. Check out our financial aid webpages for ways to pay for college and the full list of available scholarships, awards and bursaries.
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below.
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent**
- grade 12 English (C or U)
We recommend that applicants should have taken at least one high school-level art class and have some basic experience in areas such as photography, illustration and digital image creation.
** Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older and no OSSD)
Mature students may take the Admissions Assessment for English OR may consider upgrading to achieve the credit(s) needed in English.
Please note that George Brown is committed to ensuring that applicants will succeed in their program of choice and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants may be required to have grades higher than the minimum requirements stated.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit Transfer Guide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Design
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2137
Email: design@georgebrown.ca
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Visit Our Campus
This program is part of our School of Design, located at our Waterfront Campus, at 3 Lower Jarvis St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
School of Design Building
The School of Design resides in a new 103,000-square-foot facility in the Daniels Waterfront – City of the Arts development. This state-of-the-art building supports academic programs and industry projects with features such as:
- virtual and augmented reality lab
- usability and testing lab
- future Ways of Living lab
- peer tutor lab
- digital sandbox
- incubators
- prototyping and workshop spaces
- design and innovation showcase spaces
Come and have your questions answered, learn about the program content and career options, meet your friendly professors and staff and experience what it is like to be in a George Brown College classroom at one of our information sessions. You can also book a campus tour or explore our virtual tour.
