The Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has been ranked as one of the top global institutions in design education.
Wilson School of Design alumni Cali Martin, Elias Lemke and Bella Sanchez, all of whom received World Brand Design Society awards for their work in graphic design.
The Wilson School of Design secured second place in the latest World Brand Design Society Best Design Education Ranking, and the sixth spot in the Global Design Education Ranking the only Canadian institution to rank in the top 10. The rankings highlight the university's commitment to nurturing exceptional talent and fostering a creative learning environment, with points tabulated based on student award submissions.
A standout is the Wilson School of Design's Graphic Design for Marketing program, which has produced graduates who have earned several prestigious awards for the university.
"This year marks a significant milestone for our program and school," says program chair Carley Hodgkinson. "This acknowledgment highlights the achievements of our alumni, the dedication of our faculty, and the school's continued growth and relevance in the ever-evolving field of graphic design."
The prestigious rankings place the Wilson School of Design alongside world-renowned institutions such as the School of Visual Arts in New York, ArtCenter College of Design in California, and ELISAVA Barcelona School of Design and Engineering in Spain.
"The instructors at the Wilson School of Design are industry professionals who are still actively working in the design field," says Cali Martin, a Graphic Design for Marketing graduate whose individual work received several World Brand Design Society awards. "You're learning from people who know what's happening now, not years ago. This makes a huge difference in the quality of education you receive."
Martin, who recently completed an internship and started a full-time role at a design studio, also emphasizes the importance of small class sizes and an intimate learning environment within design education.
"The level of care, individualized guidance and creative direction my KPU instructors offered was invaluable to the iterative design process," she explains. "I wasn't sure what I wanted to pursue when I graduated high school, but the Foundations in Design certificate gave me the opportunity to learn about different disciplines of design before I committed to a specific path. That flexibility and support allowed me to find my niche and launch my career in graphic design."
The Wilson School of Design offers an array of programs, including Foundations in Design, Fashion and Technology, Product Design and Interior Design. Students can select from four bachelor of design degrees, three diplomas and one certificate program. The school's hands-on approach and the guidance of industry professionals help students develop the skills needed to succeed in the competitive design field.
