It’s official - Unreal Engine 5 is now available and will be taught at ACX this summer!

In this 7-week Intro to Unreal Engine, you’ll learn through hands-on, weekly instruction and exercises; primary focus will be project construction using freely available assets from Epic Games. Course will culminate in students producing an individual short film depending on interest and industry, such as architectural visualization, automotive rendering, product design, animated short film, etc. Topics include fundamentals of shot and sequence development, working in the timeline, cameras, using motion capture for animation, materials, lighting, and rendering. Prerequisites: Experience using any 3D software.

Photoshop offers a wide set of versatile tools for drawing and painting. How should one use them? In this 7-week course, students will learn to approach their digital work with intentionality and fluidity. Fundamentals of composition, color, light, and visual story-telling will be covered, along with techniques for a smooth digital workflow. For students interested in concept art or illustration. Prerequisite: some traditional painting experience plus previous Photoshop experience, or by permission of an ArtCenter advisor. Required equipment: access to a computer with the latest version of Photoshop, a Wacom tablet, and a digital camera to take reference photos.

Designed with creative professionals and aspiring artists in mind, Procreate, the leading creative app made for iPad and iPhone, is a portable art studio that allows you to create sketches, illustrations, animations, and paintings. This intensive workshop introduces you to Procreate’s unique features and intuitive creative tools. An ideal workshop for anyone interested in fashion design, wearable product design, surface and textile design, entertainment, illustration and storyboarding. Prerequisites: painting and drawing skills; Photoshop skills recommended. Required: access to an iPad or iPhone, Apple pencil, and current version of Procreate. Image credit: Justine Limpus Parish

3D software has increasingly become a powerful concept design tool. This introductory-level course covers the basics of Blender, a free and open-source 3D creation tool, with a focus on transportation, product design, world-building and illustration. Weekly projects explore design foundations such as iconic shape, detail level, contrast, and hardware modeling based on real world references, Blender’s ideation design process, and real-time rendering engine. Prerequisite: beginning to intermediate digital skills. Students required to provide their own digital tools (PC laptop with 3-button mouse recommended; Mac is OK.) 

Interested in exploring contemporary art but are not sure where to start? This new course offers a hands-on exploration of several methods of art production and is designed to help expand your conceptual development, technical skills, and awareness of art-based processes offered in ArtCenter's undergraduate Art program. Explore principles and meaning as you experiment with a variety of disciplines including sculpture, painting, drawing, collage/mixed media and installation. This is an ideal course for students interested in exploring ArtCenter’s approach to contemporary art, students developing portfolio projects, and those seeking to ways to expand their creative horizons and develop an art practice.

Learn how to sidestep starving artist syndrome! Specifically designed to help independent creatives thrive in the gig economy, this workshop addresses the total picture of a freelance business. Whether you are currently freelancing, just starting out, or simply curious, you will learn the crucial mindset shifts necessary to transition from creative to creativepreneur. Learn the basic structures and frameworks of a solid business foundation, and strategies and systems to build a powerful, sustainable career. Topics include: freelancing modes and markets; business structures; finding your niche; diversifying income streams; and worklife integration. Part 2 focuses on messaging and marketing for impact as you learn the relational (soft skill) strategies for designing a powerful creative freelance business and for positioning yourself as a strategic creative partner.