Art and Design Foundations

The Art and Design Foundations program offers drawing, painting, design, photography, digital media and 3D art. Build practical skills, discover where your interests can take you and develop a portfolio for further study in art, design and creative industries.

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Home / Learn / Programs List / Art and Design Foundations

Credential

Ontario College Certificate

Duration

Two semesters

Start Date(s)

September (Fall)

Locations

Belleville

Open to

Domestic Students

Find your career

Explore your creative interests while building a broad foundation in art and design. The Art and Design Foundations program offers hands-on studio experiences, discover different creative disciplines and develop the skills and portfolio needed to pursue further education in areas such as animation, game development, graphic design, fine arts, photography, digital media and other creative fields.

Along the way, develop transferable skills in visual communication, creative problem-solving, concept development, collaboration and presenting your work. Whether you already know where your creativity can take you or want time to explore your options, the Art and Design Foundations program provides a foundation for your next step.

How you'll learn

In the Art and Design Foundations program, you will learn by creating. Develop practical skills through hands-on studio projects in drawing, fine arts, colour and design, photography, digital media and three-dimensional design.

Experiment with traditional and digital tools while learning how to develop ideas from initial concepts through to finished creative work. Through individual projects, critiques and portfolio development, strengthen your creative process, explore different areas of art and design, and identify the disciplines that best match your interests and goals.

The program culminates in the development of a portfolio that can support applications to further creative programs and showcase your evolving skills and creative identity.

Courses

ARTS1002 2D and 3D Design Studio 1

Students explore foundational principles of 2D and 3D design through hands-on construction and design activities. Emphasis is placed on shape, line, plane, volume, mass, texture, balance, composition, and positive and negative space. Students work with a variety of materials and techniques to translate two-dimensional concepts into three-dimensional forms while developing technical skills, creative problem-solving and an understanding of spatial design.

ARTS1012 Colour and Design

Students explore the fundamental concepts of colour theory and the elements and principles of design through hands-on projects. Emphasis is placed on colour relationships, contrast, colour mixing and the psychology of colour. Students apply design principles to two-dimensional projects in areas such as graphic design, illustration, interior design and basic drafting while developing creative problem-solving and technical skills.

COMM1066 Communications

Learners will build foundational skills in writing and develop research and report writing skills. Students strengthen writing mechanics, including spelling and grammar, while producing clear and effective written communication. Students also develop oral presentation skills and apply ethical practices when using digital and AI-supported tools, including effective prompt development.

ARTS1013 Digital Media 1

Students explore the fundamentals of visual and digital media production through concept development and hands-on projects. Emphasis is placed on cinematography, animation, video editing, lighting and sound production using industry-appropriate software and techniques. Students develop foundational technical and creative skills that can be applied across a range of creative industries and further areas of study. A background in concept development and hands-on experience with visual production methods gives students pathways to and opportunities in many fields of study. This course will introduce students to the the skills needed in cinematography, animation, video editing, lighting and sound production utilizing industry-appropriate software.

PHOT1000 Digital Photography

Students explore the fundamental elements and principles of photography through hands-on practice in composition, framing and lighting. Emphasis is placed on developing skills in portrait, nature, architectural, industrial and artistic photography, along with photo editing and manipulation using industry-appropriate software. Students also examine contemporary and historical photography to develop an understanding of photographic styles, techniques and visual storytelling.

DRAW1003 Drawing Fundamentals

Students explore drawing as a means of creative expression while developing observational and technical skills. Emphasis is placed on line, shape, form, value, space, balance, proportion and contrast. Through hands-on practice in perspective, still life, portraiture and figure drawing, students build foundational drawing skills while exploring both contemporary and historical approaches.

ARTS1000 Fine Arts Studio 1

Students explore a variety of fine art techniques through hands-on practice in watercolour and acrylic painting, relief printmaking and mixed-media collage. Emphasis is placed on developing foundational technical skills, applying basic art terminology and building the ability to critically discuss and reflect on their own work and the work of others.

ARTS1016 2D and 3D Design Studio 2

Students build on foundational 2D and 3D design skills through further exploration of form, materials and design processes. Emphasis is placed on translating two-dimensional concepts and designs into three-dimensional forms, developing 3D design software skills and using 3D printing technology to create physical artifacts. Through hands-on projects and real-world applications, students explore the design process from concept development and visualization through to final production. Students will expand upon the skills learnt in 3D Studio 1 – manipulating three-dimensional form, developing increased sensitivity to various material properties. Students will learn 3D design software and produce 3D printed artifacts using the program’s 3D printer. The pathway from concept to realization is travelled and examined via real-world applications such as public art commissions.

ARTS1018 Careers and Portfolio

Students explore career opportunities in art and design while developing their professional portfolios and identifying pathways for further study and employment. Through workshops and experiential learning, students build skills in professional practice, collaboration and presentation. Students apply their learning through the planning, design and installation of an exhibition featuring their own work and work from other creative disciplines.

ARTS1005 Design Studio

Students explore the creative and practical processes of design through hands-on, client-focused projects. Emphasis is placed on typography, colour theory and the principles of design while responding to a variety of creative briefs. Students develop creative problem-solving skills and apply design concepts and techniques across a range of applied design disciplines.

ARTS1017 Digital Media 2

Students build on foundational digital media skills through the exploration of experimental, documentary and narrative storytelling. Emphasis is placed on hands-on production, collaboration and the continued development of technical skills using a variety of industry-appropriate equipment and software. Students also explore historical and theoretical perspectives to strengthen their understanding of visual storytelling and digital media production.

ARTS1014 Digital Tools for Art & Design

Students develop digital art and design skills using industry-standard creative software. Building on foundational skills from the first semester, emphasis is placed on working with both raster and vector formats to create and refine digital artwork. Students apply design theory and technical skills through hands-on projects that strengthen their creative and digital production abilities.

DRAW1005 Drawing Advanced

Students build on the foundational skills developed in Intro to Drawing through advanced exploration of observational and technical drawing techniques. Emphasis is placed on three-dimensional form, perspective, life drawing, portraiture, drapery, illustration and technical drawing, including isometric and exploded views. Students also explore historical and contemporary drawing practices while developing ideas through research, experimentation and thumbnail sketches.

ARTS1004 Fine Arts Studio 2

Students build on the foundational skills through further exploration of painting and printmaking techniques. Emphasis is placed on creativity, experimentation, composition and the development of personal subject matter. Students use divergent thinking and critical self-reflection to strengthen their artistic practice and further develop their individual ideas and creative expression.

*Courses subject to change.

The Art and Design Foundations program student creating art. Girl wearing black headphones while focusing on art project.

Admission requirements

Required academic preparation

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, with:
- Grade 12 English (ENG4E or equivalent)

Mature applicant

Academic upgrading

Are you missing admission requirements? Discover how Career and College Prep at Loyalist can help you get started on your journey.

No portfolio is required for admission.

Costs

Approximate costs (2025 – 26, two semesters at full-time student status)*

Domestic Tuition: $2,722.08
Full-Time Ancillary Fees: $1,595.26
Total: $4,317.34

Additional student-purchased costs may include textbooks, supplies, software, and other resources. Additional expenses related to off-campus experiential learning activities may also be incurred.

*All fees are subject to change. Fees for programs shorter or longer than two semesters will be adjusted accordingly. In addition to the costs listed above, some programs also have program ancillary fees based on their specific requirements. For a detailed breakdown of tuition and ancillary fees – including any program-specific charges – please visit the Tuition and fee schedule 2025–26.

Paying for college

At Loyalist College, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to your success. We’re here to help you navigate the costs of college and connect you with a variety of financial aid programs, resources and donor-supported awards. Explore paying for college.  

The Art and Design Foundations program student draws on paper

Further study

Pathways and university transfer

What’s next? After completing the Arts and Design Foundations program, build on the knowledge and skills you learned at Loyalist by continuing your academic journey. Return to Loyalist to complete a second diploma or a post-graduate program in as little as a year, or receive credit recognition for your Loyalist studies when pursuing a degree at a university. Explore pathway opportunities.

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