Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts  

Today’s illustrators are crossover artists and entrepreneurs who are influencing culture in new and unexpected ways.

In Art Center’s Illustration Department, students learn to combine their talents with creative thinking across all media.

Classes are taught by a faculty of award-winning artists and illustrators—leaders in their fields—and by distinguished guest lecturers.

Students have access to a wide range of artists and illustrators who provide practical and up-to-date insights into the art, craft and business of illustration.

Students are challenged to develop their personal voice and work across multiple disciplines—including print, fashion, entertainment, music, motion graphics, gallery installations and toy design.

Our department offers the unique opportunity to study in London for a week of studio meetings with illustrators and designers, lectures with curators at the National Portrait Gallery, and drawing at the renowned Prince’s Drawing School.

We begin our curriculum with a foundation in figure drawing and painting, compositional structure and perspective, and continue with courses that introduce concept and problem-solving skills. In the fourth term, students choose one of four tracks of specialty. 

• Entertainment Arts prepares students for a career as an illustrator in feature animation, which includes developing characters, storyboarding, color scripts, background painting and matte painting.
• Fine Art Painting focuses on drawing and painting skills in conjunction with the study of fine art conceptual principles from a contemporary perspective.
• Illustration Design applies illustration and graphic concepts to fashion, publishing, children’s books, graphic novels, advertising and surface design.
• Motion Illustration integrates illustration and digital media across all platforms including music videos, advertising and environmental installations.  

   

Students have opportunities to collaborate with colleagues from other Art Center disciplines through Transdisciplinary Studios, Designmatters projects, and by contributing to our department's award-winning magazine, Wrap.

Find out more about our department at artcenterillustration.com.