Humber’s Visual and Digital Arts diploma program offers you the opportunity to develop a well-rounded skillset applicable to a broad range of visual arts disciplines. At the Art Commons, Humber’s dedicated art facility, you will learn to plan and produce effective visual material and facilitate modes of interactive expression and communication.
Using state-of-the-art software and tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere, you will develop skills in painting, drawing, illustration, digital art, photography, video and installation art. While honing your artistic abilities, you will gain knowledge about anatomy, colour, composition, figurative expressions and art history. You will apply your skills and learn to create traditional and experimental fine art projects. Throughout the program, you will participate in collaborative projects with your peers, gain opportunities to exhibit your work, take part in installations and join in critiques. With its focus on experiential learning and critical thinking, this program is an excellent launching point for more advanced creative pursuits.
Current students, please make sure to review your MyHumber Academic Progress report to confirm which courses you should register into for your Winter semester. Courses with in-person requirements will likely also have online components. Humber may need to change plans for in-person learning, subject to government and public health directives and/or additional health and safety considerations.
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
Produce creative life and representational drawings and paintings, illustrating volume, proportion, perspective, mass and texture with descriptive lighting.
Create representational digital drawing, paintings and illustrations, using application software such as Photoshop, Illustrator and Painter.
Assess the artistic merit of artwork using an analysis of the creative application of established principles of design and composition.
Construct pictorial compositions using visual perspective to achieve accurate proportional relationships.
Light compositions to reveal three-dimensional form.
Create figurative pictorial compositions, using principles of human and comparative anatomy.
Critique technical principles of composition in representational drawing, painting and illustration, through analysis of rendering.
Prepare and present a traditional and creative art portfolio containing both original work and computer generated reproductions.
Research and create reference materials to support successful completion of a work of art.
Reproduce, with fidelity, colour as encountered in nature, mixing traditional and digital media.
Develop a career plan and self-promotion skills suitable to the digital media industry, using materials such as a résumé, cover letter, contact list, e-portfolio.
Develop and present a digital art project proposal and manage the project, using effective oral and written communications skills.
The newly constructed Humber Art Commons was designed to foster creative collaboration and experimentation. The flexible space allows Art Foundation students to conceptualize, create, and exhibit work all in the same place.
Launched as a live lab, the Art Commons building provides students with a creative space to explore and discover new techniques. Located at Lakeshore Campus on Lakeshore Blvd, the building acts as a hub for art students. The open concept allows for a modern studio space flooded by natural light. The space has been modelled on the general concept of transformability. Four large multi-purpose rooms on two floors can be turned into any kind of collaborative space depending on need.
Take a 360 degree tour!
For mobile and tablet users, open the video in the YouTube app. For optimal viewing experience use Firefox or Chrome. Currently Safari does not support 360 videos.
Watch the video and discover how Noni Kaur inspires her students to think outside the box and create more than what they think they are capable of.
Watch the video to find out how Humber prepared Mac for the professional aspects of being an artist.
Watch the video to discover how the Visual and Digital Arts program at Humber helps students explore their creativity and express their ideas.
Watch the video to see how the In Situ event was an immersive and interactive evening that showcased music, photography, performance, dance, improv, mime, spoken word, mural and graffiti art, installation art, design and more by some of the GTA’s best emerging artists!
Visual and Digital Arts professors are accomplished artists, designers, entrepreneurs and art historians. They represent the full spectrum of creative career paths available to students upon graduation. Program co-ordinator Cole Swanson is an interdisciplinary artist who has been featured in gallery exhibitions, residencies, and festivals on four continents. Professors include Noni Kaur, Marc Colangelo, Golboo Amani, Steven Cober, Eva Kolcze, Neil Harrison, John Stuart, Carolyne Topdjian, and Tobias Williams.
Although the Information Age has created an explosion of career opportunities for visual and digital artists, the competition is keen. It is an exciting career that encompasses creativity, challenges, new insights and dynamic ways of critical thinking. But employers agree: professional drawing and painting skills reinforced with fine art principles and critical-thinking skills will distinguish an applicant from the crowd.
Enjoy exciting entry-level positions in the visual, graphic and media arts industry with your newly acquired skillset. Use your creative and technical skills as an illustrator, contemporary artist, concept artist, advertising layout artist, storyboard artist, digital illustrator, visualizer, artist representative, gallery or artist supply assistant, graphic artist, photographer’s assistant, or art teaching assistant. Be self-employed as a freelance artist, illustrator or art instructor in an arts and crafts association or organization. Many of our graduates also pursue higher education within media studies and the visual arts, given that they will be equipped with a comprehensive portfolio to showcase their acquired skills.
Watch the video to learn some useful tips on how to assemble a portfolio for the Visual & Digital Arts program application.
Creative Arts & Design Success Stories
A Q&A with Kait Rak
Wed, January 27, 2021
Kait Rak graduated from Humber’s Photography program in 2013.
Young Lion Reflects on the Ad Industry and Humber Experience
Wed, January 27, 2021
Ellen Porteous is a 2017 graduate of the Bachelor of Creative Advertising and is currently working as a copywriter at boutique agency, Abacus.
No news at this time.
Faculty of Media & Creative Arts News
Maria Saba Wins 2020 Writers-in-Exile Scholarship
School for Writers
Mon, October 26, 2020
Meet thethe recipient of the 2020 PEN Canada-Humber College Writers-in-Exile Scholarship, Maria Saba.
Industry Insights – Three Questions for Three Leaders
Tue, October 20, 2020
We spoke with three industry professionals and heard their thoughts on how the industry is changing and what students can do to keep up and stand out.
No news at this time.
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
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Applicants must meet all the requirements below in order to meet minimum program eligibility. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission. Admission decisions will be available via MyHumber, or by email and mail. Admission decisions will not be released by phone.
To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:
or
or
An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet program eligibility.
An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.
An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.
An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.
An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.
An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.
All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.
Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a WES or ICAS evaluation.
Please submit three to five complete creative works. Examples of complete creative works include: singular artworks (paintings, drawings, sculpture, etc.), design projects (website, graphic, layout, fashion, concept art,etc.), or small collections of related work.
Also, please include three to five examples of "in-process" work. Examples of in-process work include: sketchbook images, maquettes/models, notes/reflections, etc.
In this program, students are taught skills that empower them to experiment across a variety of artistic and media platforms. Applicants have the freedom to select creative projects across a variety of areas in the visual and digital arts discipline. Areas may include, but are not limited to, drawing, painting, sculpture, graphic arts/digital design, sound art, performance, photography, or video.
For all submissions, you have the freedom to interpret what constitutes a creative project or an in-process work and to submit accordingly.
Select one complete creative work included in your portfolio and describe its overall concept and process of creation. Consider why this work has been included in your portfolio and what it might tell the viewer about you as an artist. This statement should not exceed 500 words.
Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please enter your location or choose detect my location to see the requirements for your country below.
Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).
Details and Specifications | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
Processor | Laptop - Intel i5 (Quad 4) | Laptop - Intel i7 (Quad 4 or higher) |
OS | Windows 10 or Mac OS | |
Memory | 16GB RAM | |
Storage | Hard drive 250GB | SSD (Solid State Drive) preferable |
Other | Tablet, Creative Cloud software licensing, Art Supplies - Cole Swanson working with supplier to see if a kit can be created for purchase |
If you have questions about these Equipment & Device Requirements contact:
Cole Swanson, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 3505
cole.swanson@humber.ca
Fees are subject to change.
Fees by Semester
Domestic Fees International FeesSemester 1 | Original 2020-2021 Fees | Updated 2020-2021 Fees |
Tuition | $2,788.75 | $2,788.75 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $434.91 | $319.30 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 | $60.25 |
Optional Student Union Fee | $20.00 | $0.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Total | $3,307.66 | $3,168.30 |
Semester 2 | Original 2020-2021 Fees | Updated 2020-2021 Fees |
Tuition | $2,788.75 | $2,788.75 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $434.91 | $319.30 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 | $60.25 |
Optional Student Union Fee | $20.00 | $0.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Total | $3,307.66 | $3,168.30 |
Semester 3 | Original 2020-2021 Fees | Updated 2020-2021 Fees |
Tuition | $2,788.75 | $2,788.75 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $434.91 | $319.30 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 | $60.25 |
Optional Student Union Fee | $20.00 | $0.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Total | $3,307.66 | $3,168.30 |
Semester 4 | Original 2020-2021 Fees | Updated 2020-2021 Fees |
Tuition | $2,788.75 | $2,788.75 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $434.91 | $319.30 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 | $60.25 |
Optional Student Union Fee | $20.00 | $0.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Total | $3,307.66 | $3,168.30 |
Semester 1 | Original 2020-2021 Fees | Updated 2020-2021 Fees |
Tuition | $7,208.09 | $7,208.09 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $434.91 | $319.30 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 | $60.25 |
Optional Student Union Fee | $20.00 | $0.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Total | $7,727.00 | $7,587.64 |
Semester 2 | Original 2020-2021 Fees | Updated 2020-2021 Fees |
Tuition | $7,208.09 | $7,208.09 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $434.91 | $319.30 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 | $60.25 |
Optional Student Union Fee | $20.00 | $0.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Total | $7,727.00 | $7,587.64 |
Semester 3 | Original 2020-2021 Fees | Updated 2020-2021 Fees |
Tuition | $7,208.09 | $7,208.09 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $434.91 | $319.30 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 | $60.25 |
Optional Student Union Fee | $20.00 | $0.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Total | $7,727.00 | $7,587.64 |
Semester 4 | Original 2020-2021 Fees | Updated 2020-2021 Fees |
Tuition | $7,208.09 | $7,208.09 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $434.91 | $319.30 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 | $60.25 |
Optional Student Union Fee | $20.00 | $0.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Total | $7,727.00 | $7,587.64 |
*Plus Mandatory Health Insurance fee once per academic year: Fall start - $420 Winter start - $280 Summer start - $140
Approximately $750 - art supplies; $230 – $350 - digital tablet (for third/fourth semesters); access to a digital camera (third semester).
Find out more about scholarships and bursaries that you may be eligible for, visit Student Scholarships.
Bursaries are available for Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs primarily based on financial need, visit Humber Bursaries.
Find out more information about external scholarships and bursaries, visit External Awards.
Humber offers a variety of bursaries and scholarships for Indigenous students, visit Indigenous Student Awards.
Pathways are academic routes that students can take to move from one credential to another.
Graduates of any two-year diploma program at Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, who have attained a cumulative grade point average of 70% or greater will be eligible to enter year three of the four-year Bachelor of Applied Management (BAM) at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John.
Depending on the diploma program, students may be exempted from study in certain courses and therefore, requested to take alternate courses offered by the Faculty of Business.
Please note: Admission to the academic programs listed is at the sole discretion of the partner post-secondary institution. Please contact the institution for detailed admission requirements.
For more information please contact: admissions@unb.ca.
Phone: 416-675-5000
Email: enquiry@humber.ca
Sign-up for more info on Humber, including programs, special events and more!
Cole Swanson, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 3505
cole.swanson@humber.ca
Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program. To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber's program pages or ontariocolleges.ca.
If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.
Additional information will be made available to students from their program before the beginning of the Winter term. Courses with in-person requirements will likely also have online components. The delivery mode of some courses is still being determined. Humber may need to change plans for in-person learning, subject to government and public health directives and/or additional health and safety considerations.
You can find a complete list of programs with downloads including program and course details at Current Student Resources