Foundation – Design

 

Preparatory Program

 

Explore creative design, game development, & programming and develop your career portfolio.

Vancouver Film School has created a program for aspiring creative designers to discover which field is right for them. Foundation – Design is a four-month preparatory program that introduces students to the fundamentals of motion design, game design, screenwriting, programming, and more.

Students receive hands-on experience with industry-standard software and create a solid portfolio that will advance them into VFS’s Digital Design, Game Design, and Programming for Games, Web & Mobile programs.

Register quickly as very limited seats are available! 

Course Details:

Dates:  August 31 – December 17, 2026  

Duration: 16 weeks (full-time), 21 hours per week

Cost: $6,983 $5,483 CDN (Domestic); $10,333 $8,333 CDN (International) – LIMITED-TIME DISCOUNT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2026!  

Apply Now

 

 

 

Foundation – Design

Program Overview

Term 01

Apply the fundamentals of colour theory and visual communication as you create and edit digital images and assets. Craft user-driven experiences through human-centered design thinking, game theory, and writing for screens. Develop technical proficiency in Maya, Unity, and After Effects to build 3D models, immersive levels, and motion graphics.

Term 02

Refine your artistic skills by designing characters, sprites, and turnarounds while exploring layout and wayfinding systems. Develop your 3D and motion design workflows through lighting, rigging, and compositing, and strengthen your narrative impact with storyboards and animatics. Bridge design and development by crafting Figma interfaces and coding functional game systems in Unity.

More About the Program

Foundation – Design is designed to give aspiring designers a strong creative and technical base for pursuing an advanced program from VFS’s School of Games & Creative Design. Over sixteen focused weeks, you’ll develop the essential building blocks of design through courses in:
 
• 3D Modeling 
• Colour Theory
• Design Tools
• Game Design Fundamentals
• Innovation Design
• Motion Design
• Screenwriting
• Visual Communication 
 
Throughout the program, you’ll gain hands-on experience with the same professional tools used across the global design industry, while build a strong portfolio that will satisfy the prerequisites for the following VFS programs:
 
• Digital Design
• Game Design 
• Programming for Web, Games, and Mobile

 

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Admissions Requirements: 

There are no program specific entrance requirements.
The Foundation - Design program is ideal for those requiring art portfolio development to enter VFS’s Digital Design, Game Design, or Programming for Games, Web & Mobile programs, or for those who enjoy video games, digital design, and/or creative tech and are looking to explore careers in these areas. There are no program-specific entrance requirements.

If English is not your first language, you will be required to meet Level 1 of VFS’s ESL Requirements, which includes a variety of eligible ESL tests. Click here for full information on VFS’s Language Requirements.

 

 

 

Testimonials

"Attending VFS was the best decision I could have made. The program not only set me up for industry success but also introduced me to a career and opportunities I would fall in love with."

Kelsie Lee

Digital Design Alum
Communication Designer (Vancouver Canucks, Whitecaps)

"The Game Design program was the best decision I’ve made. Every instructor, TA, and mentor genuinely cares about the students. Thanks to the incredible education and connections, I was able to go straight to working professionally in the game industry."

Matt Garnett

Game Design Alum
Technical Gameplay Designer, The Coalition

"Coming to VFS has given me new possibilities and perspectives that I couldn't access back home. For anyone who is considering this adventure I can say you won't regret it."

Yaniv Fridman

Digital Design Alum
Art Director – Motion Design, Apple

"I highly recommend VFS for anyone who is passionate about the arts! The instructors are extremely helpful and their passion shows in how they teach the material. The course curriculum is structured in a way that very closely matches the industry, making a huge difference when preparing for the real world."

Nick Mandic

Game Design Alum
Associate Producer QA at Navigator Games Ltd.

 

 

Foundation – Design Preparatory Program FAQs

Foundation – Design is a 16-week preparatory program designed for aspiring creatives interested in design, game development, and programming. Students explore areas such as motion design, game design, visual communication, screenwriting, and coding while gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard software including Maya, Unity, Figma, and Adobe Creative Cloud. Throughout the program, students develop a professional portfolio that prepares them for further study in VFS’s Digital Design, Game Design, and Programming for Games, Web & Mobile programs.

This program is ideal for:

  • Students exploring careers in creative design, gaming, or programming
  • Beginners who want to build foundational creative and technical skills
  • Artists, gamers, and storytellers interested in interactive media and digital experiences
  • Students looking to strengthen their portfolio before entering an advanced VFS program
  • Creatives interested in learning industry-standard tools such as Unity, Maya, Figma, and Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Domestic and international students seeking a focused, hands-on introduction to the creative industries

There are no program specific entrance requirements.
The Foundation - Design program is ideal for those requiring art portfolio development to enter VFS’s Digital Design, Game Design, or Programming for Games, Web & Mobile programs, or for those who enjoy video games, digital design, and/or creative tech and are looking to explore careers in these areas. There are no program-specific entrance requirements.

 

If English is not your first language, you must also meet VFS’s Level 1 English language requirements through an approved ESL test. Full details on language requirements can be found on the VFS International Admissions page.

Art/written submissions must be sent at the time of application. If English is not your first language, you must submit eligible test scores that meet VFS’s minimum language requirements; for applicants who do not yet meet these requirements at the time of application, you may receive conditional acceptance. Once you meet the required English proficiency, you will be given full acceptance and be able to begin the program.
  • Domestic: $6,983 CAD
  • International: $10,833 CAD

Yes. VFS offers structured payment plans, allowing students to pay tuition in installments rather than in one lump sum. Speak with a VFS Admissions Advisor for options.

Successful completion of Foundation – Design provides the portfolio prerequisites needed for admission into these one-year programs:

International students require a valid study permit (student visa) to study at VFS in Canada. VFS provides guidance on applying for study permits, but it is the student’s responsibility to complete the application through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

VFS does not provide on-campus housing, but our Student Services team can help connect you to a variety of housing options, including student residences, private rentals, or homestays. We recommend arranging accommodations as early as possible, as Vancouver’s rental market is competitive.

How to Apply

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