Visual College of Art and Design (VCAD) - Vancouver

Honestly, I have a love-hate relationship with VCAD. The teachers (who are contractors for the Graphic Design program) are knowledgeable, encouraging and helpful – however, student services and the admin is an unreliable gong show; an absolute dumpster fire, if you will. One piece of advice: if you’re someone who’s looking to attend one of the programs this school has to offer – get Anna Pantazis as your advisor. Seriously. Not only is she incredibly compassionate, supportive and thorough – she will single-handedly break down all the obstacles in your way to solve any problems that arise, while carrying you on her back like a majestic phoenix until you feel heard. I truly cannot thank her enough for cheering us on, being a life-line when we’ve hit our limit, and essentially being the only helpful person within this entire institution – a true Wonder Woman. You are appreciated immensely, Anna! The five stars are for you, and you alone.

I love VCAD! Great staff, super helpful and kind people. Amazing connections are being made here! If you can't make it to live in Vancouver their online courses are a life saver! 10/10 would recommend you come!

It's really a good college. The location is incredible. I'm currently attending the graphic deisgn program. My personal favourite instructor is Trevor. Feedbacks from him are super amazing and professional. This place is my second family. I would definitely come back and visit all the staffs, especially Cori Sun who helped me with my concerns and difficulties. Great school!

Research other review sites from former employees as well. Currently attending VCAD in graphic design and nearing the end of my program. I only have a couple classes left and I think the school is okay. While some parts of my journey in VCAD are good, there are other parts I think people looking into VCAD should consider. Enrolled since February 2020, I was able to have a small experience on-ground learning. The rooms were small and a bit tight, not surprising for how the building was built. Some of the computers in the lab and work room functioned well, while others didn't and needed fixing. Some computers were slow, to the point where I had to move to another computer, which is quite frustrating. Of course that was then, I can't say how the computer's conditions are now at VCAD. We moved on to using Microsoft Teams for classes. Most instructors are great. Many were able to share a lot of their experience and knowledge with us. Trevor has deep knowledge of design history and provides helpful and honest feedback. I was amazed at just how much knowledge he was able to give without referencing much of the notes. However, there seems to be this underlying feeling of something going on that is affecting the overall learning atmosphere. I have this sense inside that something about the system created this feeling of unhappiness. It feels uncomfortable in that kind of situation. Not the learning environment I was hoping for. The content itself is decent. We were able to learn different aspects of a graphic designer from our instructors. However, some content is found online through the Adobe website or online tutorials. I find it discouraging that some content was found online and a lot of our money could have been saved by following tutorials online. Then again, you won't be able to have critiques and feedback from those with more expertise. As for the other departments, like Student Services, Finance, front reception, and IT, overall they are okay. IT's service could be improved. Student Services seem to be declining. When I started the program my emails and concerns were addressed well and quickly. Nowadays, with people switching in and out, my emails and concerns are not addressed as well as before. I now have to schedule an appointment with SS to have my concerns addressed. For finance, they were able to help with my student loans at the beginning, a long and tedious task. It seems like when I tried to contact them for help now, they seem too busy for me, noting that they have to handle students in different programs. And when it is my turn, my wants and preferences seem to be disregarded, like what they want from me is more important than what I want from myself. When I have a question about student loans, but not applying for it, they want me to apply for a student loan, even though I didn't want to for the second half of my time. Not impressed with that. It doesn't feel right when talks of money seem to grab their interest. I honestly have a sense the "school" (more like business) is trying to squeeze out money as much as possible. For work dynamics, it gets quite intense, especially nearing graduation. It's okay to experience stress and a little overwhelm, however, the intensity, for me at least, is too great to complete my assignments well without feeling burnout. I recalled many students feeling tired, exhausted and unmotivated. This may mean the intensity isn't for everyone. There are no electives available here compared to other institutions. Overall, I honestly expect a bit better from VCAD, especially when paying over $30, 000, at least 2 years, and putting in a lot of energy. I would recommend VCAD for those who don't mind paying more money, go through some intense work dynamics, not take electives, and have healthy boundaries and assertive communication. I would have gone to another post-secondary. At least I met instructors and students that I enjoyed being and connecting with.

Here is a perfectly honest review. As you may have read many that are so black and white. I am currently enrolled in VCAD's Architecture and Design Technologies Program. It is very industry based and driven, with instructors who have many years of experience in the field. I have had a 95% success rate with the instructors. They have been more than helpful, caring, and understanding when it comes to personal, technical, or institutional issues. With only one or two who have been hard to follow. I am part of the group of students who enrolled in the online correspondance right when it became available, therefore I had expected that there would be technical issues to work through. Yes we got our laptops later than planned, and no they weren't the ones originally promised. BUT! you have to remember we were at the start of the pandemic and the supply chain for technical parts/computers was compromised. This was in no way VCAD's fault and I have had no issues with the operating processor. Nor was it any one persons fault when the Portal would crash. This was the grace period for which VCAD was discovering the online delivery of courses. The only way I would ever be able to take a post secondary course! I took it upon myself to get student licensing for the programs we were using through the portal such as Sketchup or AutoCAD and downloaded the software straight to my desktop... because it really isnt that hard to take responsibility for yourself and find a way. If you are someone who requires your hand held through every process, then perhaps this industry won't be a good fit for you. We are problem solvers and doer's. There is a world of information out there already, and all you need to do is google it. Which brings me to the course context. Yes, a lot of materials are from YouTube or websites supporting the content learned. But let me ask you this, do you feel comfortable/knowledgeable enough organizing and sorting through all that content for yourself, creating projects/assignments for good practice, AND critiquing your own work? If not, then you're like so many individuals who need guidance, and a mentor to help develop your skill sets. And through VCAD I have met so many wonderful instructors who continue to do their best to help us through the tough/technical times, and who encourage us to put our best foot forward and impress! I give a 4/5 because despite the road bumps and snags along the way, this program has delivered valuable and relatable content that I know is going to help me get the best start to becoming a confident and hireable designer.

Visual College Of Art & Design (VCAD) is the best school to choose to attend for a brighter future and a better career. They have excellent programs and teachers that work in the industry currently so your studies will transfer to the work place after. There is many great teachers and staff at VCAD. Tara Barazandehpay was the woman who helped me to see that I can be return to school after so many years! I have a child at home and the pandemic ended my job at the time so I thought this would be a good time to go back to school to get a higher paying job that I actually love doing! I am currently taking the 2 year 3D Animation and Modeling program at VCAD and I am halfway through. I am LOVING art school more hen i could have ever imagined. I would like to challenge anyone thinking about a new career or just a love of Video games, Animation, Architecture, Fashion design or any other of the programs that VCAD offers to reach out to the school just for a free consultation bout your options. VCAD has on campus or online options as well. I would also like to mention some other staff and teachers that really stood out to and that made a HUGE difference in my VCAD experience. Maria-Angeliki Zaverda has been pivotal in helping my school experience go smoothly. She is one of VCAD's best problem solvers! Anytime I have questions, forgot a teachers email, or just anything I need Maria is always there and she responds right away! I was just nominated by a teacher and subsequently won an award for excellence from the VCAD and I am so extremely proud! Some teachers of mention for me so far are Monique Motut-Firth was my Life Drawing 1,2 & 3 teacher and I will use everything she taught me for my entire career! Monique is an extremely talented Artist and she just had a show in the prestigious Pendulum Gallery here in Vancouver. Some other amazingly talented teacher are Miles Herrington (Introduction to Maya), Frank Schweska (Animation & Story Boarding) & Luis Sanchez Pena (Rigging) & Andrew Bartlett (2D Animation Foundations) Contact Visual College Of Art & Design to take your future into your own hands, be a driver not a passenger of life!

I have never been harassed like this by any sales/store/collections agency or anyone, ever, the way this school has aggressively been contacting me. They have been calling more than times a day. Leaving texts. Sending me emails. I literally send ONE email at the beginning, just asking a simple admissions question and they have been relentless. What an off-putting feeling. NO serious, self respecting school would ever behave so money hungry and desperate. I will not be attending.

I’ve been a graphic design student at VCAD online for a year now, still have a year remaining, and I’m hesitant to give even a star. The ONLY reason i’m giving one is because the course material is generally good, but in some classes you don’t have lessons and quite literally have to teach yourself. The support from student services is horrendous. If you’re someone who likes to plan ahead in any way, be prepared to have that taken away from you as they don’t provide schedules until 1-3 days prior to the term’s start. I’ve lost hours at my job and potential clients because I can’t commit to a schedule for a few weeks at the start of ever term. To put the cherry on top, no one replies to emails unless it’s about MONEY, they don’t pickup your calls. You have to argue and fight to get the course load you were initially promised unless you’re going for the full 5 classes. All they want is their salaries paid as fast as possible. And finally, your student advisor will change every term, making it impossible to know who to contact for this so called “consistent support” they’re supposed to provide you. If I could go back, I would never had signed up for this school. So disorganized. Save yourself the $30,000.