Skip to main content
Programs

Art and Design Fundamentals

AFPGSchool of Creative Industries

Apply today
Student smiling while painting on a canvas in a bright studio. They are holding a paintbrush and a container of paint, wearing a dark apron.

Key Details

Program Start Dates

September 2025

Please visit Ontario College Application Service to learn more about start dates.

Program Delivery

Campus / Full-time

Credential

Ontario College Certificate

Program Duration

2 Semesters / 1 Year

Program Contacts

Richard Neufeld

Program Coordinator / Professor

Send email
705-566-8101 ext.7614
International Admissions
Send email

Program Overview

Two artists paint a colorful mural featuring birds on a wall. One is in the foreground painting an orange bird, while the other works on a blue section in the background.

Explore a future of creative possibilities

Take your talent and love for the arts to new heights as you gain confidence in your artistic journey building a solid foundation in creative art and design. You will experiment with a rich and diverse cross-section of media and concepts, including drawing, 2D and 3D design, illustration, applied multimedia, and creative and conceptual problem solving.

Surrounded by like-minded creatives, you will learn to apply critical thinking skills to produce solutions to the varied challenges creative industries present, as well as developing your visual sensitivity and artistic dexterity. 

Program Highlights

Program highlights

  • Experiment with a wide range of artistic media and concepts 
  • Engage with students from all creative art and design programs  
  • Opportunity to create and install a mural that will beautify a public space 
  • Graduate with a vibrant and diverse portfolio 
  • Option to continue into the second year of the Design and Visual Arts program to further build your portfolio and specialized skills 

Admissions

Admission requirements

For graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status, including:

  • Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)

Note: As this is a portfolio building, foundational program of study, there is no portfolio requirement for admission.

International Student Admissions

Are you an international student? Learn more about additional requirements.

Learn more
Student in a green polo shirt holds a folder in a modern office setting. Two others sit in the background.

Academic Upgrading

Are you missing admission requirements? Strengthen your academic skills for free at your own pace through Academic Upgrading!

Program delivery

Program delivery

2025-2026

Fall term start

  • Semester 1: Fall 2025
  • Semester 2: Winter 2026

Program of Study

Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year 

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Credits
AFP 1100Ideas & Imagery3
AFP 1105Design Fundamentals3
ART 1008Colour and Design3
AFP 1120Fundamentals of Drawing3
AFP 1125Fine Art Studio 2D3
COM 1001Art and Design Communication3
AFP 1235Graphic Design Studio3
 Credits21
Semester 2
AFP 1200Life Drawing3
AFP 1205Drawing from your Imagination3
AFP 1210Applied Colour3
AFP 1221Applied Multimedia3
AFP 1225Analytical Drawing3
ART 1231Fine Art Studio 3D3
ART 1009Introduction to Art History3
IND 1105Decolonizing the Creative Arts1
One General Education course. 13
 Credits25
 Total Credits46
1

For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.

Fees

Tuition Cost

Canadian Students

$4,031.29Estimated first year costView fee breakdown

International Students

$18,126.67Estimated first year costView fee breakdown

Important Notice

Fees presented are estimates based on projections for future academic year(s) of study. Actual fees charged may differ from what is published here. A full detailed listing of all fees is available in myCambrian and updated annually no later than May 1 for the following academic year. Students in Academic Upgrading are responsible for any fees listed on their invoice each term.

Tuition and ancillary fees

Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.

Books and supplies

Books and supplies may be required at the course level over and above what is estimated above. Please consult your professor/instructor for further information.

College may be more affordable than you think!

Have you said, “school can wait another year”? Don’t sacrifice your future any longer – you can do it!

Whether it’s fear, financial reasons, or something else that is impacting your decision to start school, we’re here to listen to you and help in any way we can!

Work-integrated learning (WIL)

Take your education beyond the classroom!

Cambrian programs blend academic learning, hands-on training, and community involvement opportunities to help you achieve your ultimate goal – your dream career. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios within and outside of the classroom through work-integrated learning. Whether it be a capstone project, co-op, practicum, preceptorship component, or placement, you’ll benefit from a practical, job-related experience before you graduate.

Field of Study

School of Creative Industries

Looking to further your craft and pursue a career where your creativity can lead to a fulfilling career? At Cambrian, a program in Creative Industries allows you to tap into your talents and develop skills that can allow you to pursue that ideal job. You’ll learn from industry professionals who have been able to create and succeed in the modern workplace.

Learn more

Specific program pathways

College or university degree opportunities  

If you are a graduate of this program, you may continue your studies at a college or university and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian’s college and university agreement details for further information. 

Career Outcomes

Employment opportunities

Graduates of Art and Design Fundamentals may continue their studies by entering directly into the second year of the Design and Visual Arts program.  

A bearded individual wearing a cap and safety goggles skillfully works on electrical connections, holding red wires with precision.Person with safety glasses using a wrench on machinery in a workshop.A radiology student Julia working with equipment.

Need a career coach?

Explore how this program can lead to a great career! Cambrian’s Career Coach platform is a user-friendly, online tool that provides up-to-date and comprehensive labour market data to help you explore career options, salary expectations for the Greater Sudbury region, and more!

Two yellow Adirondack chairs on a stone patio face a modern building with a skybridge, surrounded by ornamental grasses and autumn trees under a bright blue sky.

See where you'll be learning!

Minimum technology requirements

Success in this program requires that you come equipped with some program-specific technology requirements.

Bring your own device (BYOD)

Cambrian College has implemented a BYOD principle to both enrich the student learning experience in and out of the classroom and to ensure flexibility!

A student in a white shirt smiles while holding a children's book titled "What's My Superpower?" in a room with books and an orange chair.

Ready to take the first step?

Start gaining the highest level of skills at Cambrian now – and you’ll be ready to take advantage of the many career opportunities waiting for you just around the corner. The future is yours!

Have Questions?
We are here to help.

If you have any questions about programs, funding, OSAP, deadlines, student services, or anything else, reach out to our support team and we are happy to help!

* Required field
Back to Programs

Related Programs

A student with glasses is pointing at a laptop screen, while another student attentively looks at it. Other people are in the background in a room setting.

Game Design

Ontario College Diploma
4 Semesters / 2 Years
School of Creative Industries
Three students in a room work on digital tablets in front of computers. The focus is on a person in the center wearing glasses and a striped jacket, using a stylus on a tablet.

Animation (2 year)

Ontario College Diploma
4 Semesters / 2 Years
School of Creative Industries