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Art & Design Essentials

Canadian Students
International Students

Program Details

  • Art & Design Essentials

  • Program Code: 638
  • Credential: Certificate
  • Duration: Two Years, Part-Time
  • School of Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism
  • Area: Applied Arts
  • Domestic Applications: OPEN
  • International Applications: OPEN
Unavailable Delivery Options
International:
OA
Online - Asynchronous
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Program Overview

Print Overview
Location/Delivery Modes & Dates
Online - Asynchronous - September 2026
Prince Philip Drive - On Campus delivery - Alternate Year Intake - September 2026

Art is vital to life.

Studies in art and design promote creativity, flexibility, problem-solving, innovation, critical thinking and other invaluable skills needed in the world today. The national Status of the Artist Act recognizes the important contribution professional artists make to the economic and social well-being of communities. Studies show that artmaking and design can improve health and well-being, and these areas are recognized for their tremendous benefits to individuals and society as a whole.

To remain on the leading edge of demand, College of the North Atlantic is pleased to offer Art & Design Essentials, available both on campus and online, and accessible over a two-year period. You can choose to complete all 16 courses and receive the post-secondary educational credential of a Certificate in Art & Design Essentials or just select online courses that are of interest to you.

Art & Design Essentials, a flexible program developed in consultation with industry professionals, provides an opportunity to explore a variety of disciplines in the arts. Courses include traditional practices in drawing, two and three-dimensional design, photography, color theory, art history and the use of contemporary technologies for digital imaging, time-based media and webpage development. Portfolio development will prepare you for entry into other creative programs at CNA such as Graphic Design, Textile & Apparel Design, Digital Animation, and Video Game Art & Design, as well as other Applied Arts and Fine Arts post-secondary programs.

This is your entry to an exciting creative career!

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

  • Provides a solid foundation in art-based methods and mediums
  • The Digital Imaging course will provide knowledge and skills in computer-based design and image manipulation
  • Portfolio development courses in this program help you create a foundation for a variety of career path choices
  • Explore a broad range of media, creative and critical thinking processes
  • Build skills for the selection, photographic documentation, presentation and creation of your art portfolio
  • Prepare for future application processes related to post-secondary programs, employment, awards, competitions and professional development within the arts

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Visual art has even been shown to improve physical well being – research has proven psychological and physiological stabilizing benefits, including reducing stress and normalizing heart rate and blood pressure.[1] 
  • Artmaking can be used to regulate emotions and express ourselves in a non-verbal format.
     

     

OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to: 

  1. Apply design skills using traditional and digital technologies in art. 
  2. Create a thematic series of artworks demonstrating sustained exploration of concepts and technical processes. 
  3. Create a portfolio of artwork for application to specialized studies in art, media and design programs at the post-secondary level. 
  4. Represent themselves and their artwork using effective oral and written communication skills. 
  5. Utilize portfolio development as a continuous process of personal growth, reflection and self-assessment. 
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of art history concepts and the development of contemporary art. 
  7. Demonstrate professional practices that exhibit the entry-level entrepreneurial, innovative and collaborative skill sets that are not only necessary within either an independent or team-based environment but are also required for further study within post-secondary art, media and design programs. 
  8. Develop effective networking and critical thinking skills necessary for working with professional affiliations within creative industries.  

REFERENCES

[1] https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0101035, SOURCE:How Art Changes Your Brain: Differential Effects of Visual Art Production and Cognitive Art Evaluation on Functional Brain Connectivity, Anne Bolwerk, Jessica Mack-Andrick, Frieder R. Lang, Arnd Dörfle, Christian Maihöfner; Published: July 1, 2014.

ARTICULATION AGREEMENT

  • Graduates of College of the North Atlantic's Art & Design Essentials diploma program, who obtained a minimum overall average of 75%, may apply for admission to NSCAD's Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program with advanced standing. Students will be granted a maximum of 36 credits toward the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. This generally represents 25% of the degree requirements.

Admission Requirements

1.  High School
Provincial High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% average in eight level 3000 credits or equivalent.
2.  College Transition (prior to 2024, students would have completed Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition)
College Transition Certificate.
3.  Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with General College Profile (or Business-Related College Profile or Degree and Technical Profile) with an average pass mark of 60%.
4.  Mature Student Requirement
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements. For more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements, please refer to Procedure AC-102-PR: Admission.

Courses

  Year 1    
COURSES    
CODE TITLE Hrs/wk
FALL   Cr Le La
CM1450 Writing Fundamentals 3 3 0
VA1110 Drawing Methods & Media 3 2 2
VA1115 2D Design 2 1 2
VA1400 Colour Theory 3 3 0
         
WINTER   Cr Le La
HY1120 Prehistory to Renaissance 3 2 2
PD1120 Portfolio Development I 2 1 2
PY1150 Photography 3 2 2
VA1140 Figure Drawing 3 2 2
         
INTERSESSION*   Cr Le La
*Course offerings to be determined based on student demand
         
  Year 2      
COURSES    
CODE TITLE Hrs/wk
FALL   Cr Le La
CM1520 Writing for the Arts 3 3 0
PD1125 Portfolio Development II 3 2 3
VA1120 Digital Imaging 3 2 2
VA1170 3D Design 3 2 2
         
WINTER   Cr Le La
HY1130 Renaissance to 20th Century 3 2 2
PD1135 Final Portfolio 3 2 2
VA1180 Time-based Media 3 2 2
VA1185 Studio Practice 3 2 3
         
INTERSESSION**   Cr Le La
**Course offerings to be determined based on student demand

Careers & Pathways

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The Art & Design Essentials program prepares students for entry-level employment opportunities. For example, the following relates to the employment potential and possible opportunities available for students who complete the program:

Self-Employed Artist:  All courses in the program help develop the creative, technical, communication and critical thinking skills required for the production of artwork as a self-employed artist.
 
Gallery Assistant: Through completing the Portfolio Development I and Portfolio Development II courses, students will develop skills for the evaluation and selection of artists’ proposals for exhibition. The Photography course will help students develop skills for the photo documentation of exhibitions in artist-run and commercial galleries.
 
Freelance Writing:  Academic courses such as Writing Fundamentals and Writing for the Arts will help develop writing skills required for review of exhibitions. The Art History courses, Prehistory to Renaissance and Renaissance to 20th Century, will enable students to assess and critique artwork as it relates to contemporary art practices. The E-Portfolio course will develop skills for webpage development and the use of blogs as a platform for writing art reviews.
 
Assistant for Community Festivals: Community festivals often incorporate an art and cultural component. Writing for the Arts develops skills for writing grant proposals for community-based festivals. Art History courses develop an understanding of the value of contemporary visual culture and the significance of art and craft as cultural artifacts of a community.  The E-Portfolio course develops web page design skills for the promotion of community festivals.
 


FURTHER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
The program also prepares students for future post-secondary studies in the areas of Arts/Applied Arts, Media and Design.

Graduates who have completed the Art & Design Essentials program from CNA with a minimum of 75% may apply for admission to the Bachelor of Fine Arts, degree program at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) with advanced standing. Graduates will be granted up to a maximum of 36 credits toward the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at NSCAD.

Tuition & Fees

Canadian Students
The confirmation fee is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance. It is required in order to hold your seat in the program.
Mandatory Fees

Application Fee - $30.00 (per program)

A non-refundable fee required for each application submitted to the College | Application Page

Application fees are only refundable if the program does not go ahead, and the applicant does not want to transfer the application to another program.

Confirmation Fee - $105.00 (per program annually)

A non-refundable annual fee due upon confirming acceptance into each program. This covers registration and student association services and must be paid each academic year.

Academic Audit Fee - $50.00 (once per program)

A one-time fee assessed for auditing academic records during your program.

Technology Fee - $83.00 (per semester)

A semester-based fee to support student access to software, internet, and digital services across all campuses.

Full-Time Student Fees
Certificate & Diploma Programs:
School Regular Term
(15 weeks)		 Intersession
(up to 7 weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism $1,197.00 (per semester) $572.00 (per semester)
Part-Time Student Fees
Certificate & Diploma Programs:
Program Type Tuition Fee
Certificate & Diploma Programs $320.00 (per course)
Regulations

All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term. These dates can be found in the Academic Calendar .

  • Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of award on the first day of classes. These students may defer payment until aid is received, at which time fees must be paid in full.
  • Students who do not pay fees within the prescribed time may have their registration cancelled.
  • Students with outstanding balances are:
    • Ineligible for future term registration
    • Unable to receive diplomas, transcripts, or grade reports
    • Denied access to online grades until the balance is paid in full

It is the student's responsibility to clear all balances and contact their campus Student Services office with any account inquiries.

Additional Notes
  • If the College cancels a program, all tuition and fees will be fully refunded.
  • Out-of-sequence students registering or withdrawing mid-term will be charged on a pro-rated basis.
  • Students taking additional courses beyond a standard load must pay for each extra course.
  • Senior citizens (60+) receive a 50% discount on confirmation fees and tuition.
  • Students auditing a course must pay:
    • 50% of tuition
    • 100% of any applicable technology fees

International Students
A fee, which is applied toward program tuition and compulsory fees and includes a deposit fee, is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance.
Mandatory Fees

Application Fee - $100.00 (per program)

A non-refundable fee required for each application submitted to the College | Application Page

Confirmation Fee - $105.00 (per program annually)

A non-refundable annual fee due upon confirming acceptance into each program. This covers registration and student association services and must be paid each academic year.

Deposit Fee - $1,500.00 (Included in First Semester Tuition)

A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit required to secure your seat. Included in first semester tuition.

Academic Audit Fee - $50.00 (once per program)

A one-time fee assessed for auditing academic records during your program.

Technology Fee - $83.00 (per semester)

A semester-based fee to support student access to software, internet, and digital services across all campuses.

Full-Time Student Fees
School Regular Term
(15 weeks)		 Intersession
(up to 7 weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism $4,581.00 (per semester) $2,291.00 (per semester)
Part-Time Student Fees
Certificate & Diploma Programs:
Program Type Tuition Fee
Certificate & Diploma Programs $1,046.00 (per course)
Estimated Program Costs

The document below provides a summary of estimated program costs for international students applying to the 2025–2026 academic year. Please note that all amounts are approximate and subject to change without notice. These costs apply only to international applicants.

Download Estimated Program Costs (PDF)

Making Payments

Application Fee

If applying online, the application fee must be paid via credit card during the submission of your application to College of the North Atlantic.

Tuition and Other Payments

College of the North Atlantic has partnered with PayMyTuition for all international tuition payments. All tuition payments, unless otherwise noted, can be paid via PayMyTuition.

  • Payments can be made from any bank, in any country, and in any currency.
  • Offers better than bank exchange rates.
  • Fast, secure, and cost-effective.
Please note that you can only use PayMyTuition once you have been assigned a CNA student number.

Regulations

All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term. These dates can be found in the Academic Calendar .

  • Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of award on the first day of classes. These students may defer payment until aid is received, at which time fees must be paid in full.
  • Students who do not pay fees within the prescribed time may have their registration cancelled.
  • Students with outstanding balances are:
    • Ineligible for future term registration
    • Unable to receive diplomas, transcripts, or grade reports
    • Denied access to online grades until the balance is paid in full

It is the student's responsibility to clear all balances and contact their campus Student Services office with any account inquiries.

Additional Notes
  • If the College cancels a program, all tuition and fees will be fully refunded.
  • Out-of-sequence students registering or withdrawing mid-term will be charged on a pro-rated basis.
  • Students taking additional courses beyond a standard load must pay for each extra course.
  • Senior citizens (60+) receive a 50% discount on confirmation fees and tuition.
  • Students auditing a course must pay:
    • 50% of tuition
    • 100% of any applicable technology fees

College of the North Atlantic reserves the right to cancel or alter the delivery date and location of any program offering and delivery method, and will do so in a timely manner in order to minimize the impact on applicants.

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