Careers
TWU Art + Design alumni are engaging the world through creative practice, thoughtful leadership, and meaningful cultural contributions. As artists, designers, educators, curators, and entrepreneurs and more, they bring creativity, innovation, and care to the communities they serve. Their work can be seen around the world from the streets of Vancouver’s downtown east side to the galleries, design studios, and universities of Berlin, Edinburgh, Edmonton, Paris, LA, Montreal, New York, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Toronto.
Art + Design alum have been admitted to Master’s of Fine Arts programs in Canada, the US, and the UK as well as master’s programs in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Design, Business Administration, Art History and Education.
Rooted in a commitment to creative excellence, critical inquiry, and faith-informed reflection, our graduates pursue diverse paths while asking what art and design can contribute to the world. We are grateful for the ways they continue to enrich culture through their work.
Our alumni pursue creative careers in a diverse range of disciplines*, including:
- Digital Design – Branding, UI/UX Design, Print, Interactive Media
- Studio Art – Painting, Drawing, New Media, Mixed-media, Printmaking, etc.
- Art Education
- Museum and Gallery - Administration and Curation
- Architecture
- Illustration and Animation
- Gaming Development
- Film and Videography
- Content Creation
- Creative Direction
- Interior Design
Alumni Perspectives
Olivia De Fleuriot-Perry ‘15
Visual Artist, 2017 Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s award (SSHRC) Recipient
“The education I received from TWU’s SAMC Art + Design program was pivotal in preparing me for my artistic career. The Art + Design department’s small class sizes, one-on-one mentorship, and faith-based trust between students and Professors, proved invaluable to my development as a person and academic artist. The courses provide a strong foundation in practical studio skills; conceptual development; and historical and contemporary art practices. This foundation is integral when entering into the contemporary academic art context. I can confidently attribute my success, as I complete the final semester of a Master of Fine Arts at Emily Carr University, to the lessons I learnt from my professors and peers at TWU.”
Amy Reese ‘17
Middle and High School Art Teacher, and Art Department Head at Vancouver College
“TWU's Art + Design program equipped me with the diverse skills I needed to become a Middle and High School Art Teacher. Now seven years into my teaching career, I still pull ideas from the courses I took during my undergrad to include in my own teaching. The unique, faith-based environment with small class sizes meant I received close mentorship from professors who I knew truly cared about my work and helped me to develop it further. I am still grateful for my Art + Design education and would recommend the program to anyone seeking to push their art skills and ideas forward in an inviting yet challenging environment.”
Tori Kimball ‘19
Marketing Manager at SKYTRAC
“I valued the fact that the Art + Design program let you tailor what you were learning to your desired outcome. If you had a desire to pursue a specific career, the Art + Design professors did not limit you. I graduated with people who were pursuing everything from Architecture, Graphic Design, Art Therapy, and more and each of their own art practices were encouraged and allowed to blossom. This is not the case in all art programs offered at the Post-Secondary level and I was very grateful for this.”
Caleb Spyksma ‘19
Landscape Designer at Lees + Associates
“After studying art + design at TWU, I pursued degrees in Architecture and Landscape Architecture. I now work as a landscape designer and am on my way to becoming a licensed landscape architect, designing spaces such as cemeteries, parks, gardens, and cultural landscapes. Situated in a liberal arts university, the art + design program at TWU encouraged me to engage a wide range of disciplines with curiosity as fuel for my creative work, equipping me with foundational skills for the complex and dynamic field of landscape architecture. This environment - and the intentional support of an incredible team of professors and instructors - provides a holistic and formative learning experience.”
Brendan Dixon ‘20
Graphic Designer at MTC Solutions
“I really appreciated TWU’s small class sizes and the caring faculty who were invested in our individual development. The SAMC Art + Design program provided valuable opportunities to perceive and critically examine the world through art, and explore the intersection between faith and art in both historical and modern contexts. I also value the program’s well-rounded education and the variety of artistic mediums we used, which has helped me succeed in a field that values people with diverse skills. As a graphic designer I have used not just the design skills I learned, but also the drawing, composition, and multimedia skills I developed in the studio.”
Sierra Ellis ‘21
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Professional Art Therapist (P-AT)
“I came into TWU’s Art + Design program knowing that art was essential to me and that I wanted it to be part of my life, but I really had no idea what that could look like as a career. Over the course of my degree, my understanding of art completely expanded as I began to see what art can offer us: healing, connection, understanding, exploration, freedom, and even a sense of safety. Through small classes, professors who genuinely cared and shared openly from their own practices, and peers who were vulnerable in their own creative explorations, I had the space to explore what art meant in my own life and where it might take me. That exploration eventually led me to a career as a clinical counsellor and art therapist, bringing together my love of art and my desire to work with people in a way I didn’t even know was possible when I began my degree.”
Hayden Huang ‘21
Freelance Photographer and Videographer
“Today I work as a photographer specializing in real estate photography, while also taking on commercial, fashion, wedding, and videography projects. Looking back, what I value most about my time at TWU isn’t just the technical skills I learned, but the ability to think critically and approach challenges from different perspectives. More importantly, the Art + Design program taught me how to learn, not just what to learn—giving me the confidence to adapt to a new environment, build my career after graduation, and continue growing both professionally and personally. If you're looking for a program that encourages curiosity, independent thinking, and lifelong learning, TWU Art + Design is a place where you can build a strong foundation for whatever path you choose.”
Zaeya Winter ‘24
Visual Artist
“I graduated in 2024 from TWU Art + Design Honours program, participating in a practicum at the Fort Gallery in my final year. Since graduating I’ve had the opportunity to develop and display a body of work titled Earth Textiles at the Old Schoolhouse Gallery on Cortes Island. Now I am living abroad in Scotland— working in hospitality while continuing to develop my art practice. I am currently working on curating a group show called “Filaments” and selling my artwork. TWU prepared me in many ways, though most significantly by helping me find the work that I truly wanted to make, the concepts I was passionate about and how to speak those concepts purposefully through different mediums. The program uniquely positioned me as an inquisitor into a whole dialogue of artists and thinkers in the wider world—giving me such an inspired sense of what is possible.”
Alex Tang ‘24
Chinese Medicine Researcher at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
“TWU gave me the confidence and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills to explore unfamiliar fields and develop my own creative direction. My research-oriented art practice continues to shape the way I observe and understand the world, even now that I am working and studying in Chinese medicine research. My experience in design and game development has also helped me approach complex projects involving code, UI, 3D, sound, and AI. I would recommend TWU Art + Design to students who want to develop not only practical creative skills, but also the ability to ask questions, build connections across disciplines, and create their own ways of working.”
Sofia del Castillo ‘25
Coordinator, Global Talent Acquisition Marketing at Bain & Company
“I currently work in a marketing role focused on event planning and marketing logistics, where I manage projects from beginning to end, working with different teams to bring ideas to life. The Art + Design program taught me how to think through a project, develop ideas, create a process, and communicate my vision effectively, skills I continue to use every day in my career. The hands-on experience through internships and practicums helped me discover the career path that was the right fit for me, but what made my experience truly special was the close relationships I built with both my peers and professors. Their mentorship and support gave me the confidence to grow both creatively and professionally.”