(guest post by Kirstin Smith)

If you want to strike fear in the heart of any young hopeful, just remind them that life on the outside will be nothing like the experience of studying and that they are completely unprepared. During most of my years as a student this sentiment was the norm. It was all too often that an instructor referred to something called the ‘real world’. They explained that when we get out there it won’t be anything like the classroom.

My experience in Vancouver Film School’s Digital Design however, was unlike any I’ve had before. In the Digital Design program, we had the opportunity to work with a client; that’s right, a ‘real’ client. The experience instilled confidence and know-how that other assignments simple couldn’t have.

The class in which we worked with Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is called The Big Idea. The intention of the class is to allow students to have an experience working with a client and using their design skills to contribute to a good cause. The team at Digital Design assigns the client, always selecting a non-profit for students to work with. DD30 were lucky enough to work for Canuck Place, a children’s hospice with a small team and a big heart. We were all excited by the opportunity to work for them and immediately felt an emotional connection to the project.

The brief included both a micro-site and a promotional motion piece. With the encouragement of the staff at DD, each team began by researching our client.

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