School of Illustration
"He who has imagination without learning has wings but no feet."
~ Joseph Joubert
Illustration is the art of making ideas visible. The profession spans a wide range of applications encompassing graphic novels, visual development for animation and games, children’s books, interactive illustration and anything an illustrator can bring to life.
Given the vast array of opportunities, today’s illustrator must master a multitude of digital and traditional tools and choose the most appropriate technique for the job. Academy of Art University offers an innovative curriculum that blends cutting-edge digital technology with classical training. The Illustration degree program provides a contemporary approach to traditional techniques with an emphasis in drawing, composition and storytelling.
School of Illustration Courses
Illustration courses include The Graphic Novel, Digital Painting, Narrative Illustration and many others. See more.
- Book Illustration
- Children's Book Illustration
- Clothed Figure Drawing
- Comic Book Inking
- Comics: Creating Manga
- Comics: Pencils & Inks
- Comics: Senior Project
- Concept & Narrative
- Concept, Technique and Illustration
- Creature Design for Film & Games
- Decorative Illustration
- Digital Drawing
- Digital Media
- Digital Painting
- Drawing for Film
- Drawing from Imagination
- Eccentric Illustration
- Editorial Illustration
- Fantasy Illustration
- Figure Drawing
- Figure Painting
- Figure Painting in Acrylic
- Graphic Illustration
- Heads & Hands
- History of Comics
- History of Illustration
- Illustration Design
- Interactive & Vector Art
- Interactive Illustration
- Layouts in Ink
- Location Drawing & Painting
- Narrative Illustration
- Perspective for Illustration, Film & Games
- Principles, Practice, & Media
- Science Illustration
- Self Promotion
- Situation & Environment
- Situation Drawing & Painting
- Story, Process, & Techniques
- Sustained Figurative Concepts
- The Fantastic Figure
- The Graphic Novel
- Visual Development for Illustrators
- Watercolor for Illustrators
- Wildlife Illustration
- And More!
See All Classes »
Schedule of Classes
View Illustration course offerings, read course descriptions and plan your schedule. See All Classes »
Degrees
The School of Illustration offers accredited AA, BFA and MFA degrees. Learn More.
Programs
Study Illustration through our undergraduate programs, graduate programs, accredited online program, continuing art education and pre-college scholarship programs.
Featured Faculty
Learn from top industry professionals in Illustration who work to inspire you and develop your unique talents as you pursue your illustration degree. Learn More.
Facilities
Get hands-on experience with the latest tools at a cutting-edge Illustration school to create a dynamic body of work that stands out above the rest. Learn More.
News & Success Stories
Be inspired by the successes of Academy alumni and faculty members. See what took them to the top of the industry and earned the acclaim of their peers. Learn More.
Spring Show Portfolio
The Academy of Art University Illustration degree program is like no other. See the student work that can truly be called the best of the best from this year's Spring Show. Learn More.
Professional Opportunities
As an Illustration school student, you will begin your professional career day one. Your illustration degree opens the door to countless opportunities. Learn More.
Firms & Clients Hiring Our Graduates:
Academy of Art University’s School of Illustration graduates have gone on to establish their own businesses and work for clients such as DC and Marvel Comics, Dreamworks, Spin and many others. See more.
Film, Game & Interactive Media
- Bandai Namco
- Blue Mars
- Blue Sky
- Cryptic Studios
- Dreamworks
- EA
- Fantasy Flight Games
- ILM
- IDW
- Lolapps
- Lucas Arts
- Massive Black
- PDI
- Pixar
- Space Dog Books
- TellTales
- Toys for Bob
- Valve
- Walt Disney Animation Studios
- Warner Bros. Studios
- Zynga
- And More Top Studios
Comics
- Boom! Studios
- Carnal Comics
- Dark Horse
- DC Comics
- Image Comics
- Marvel Comics
- Popgun Anthology
- Tokyo Pop
- And More Top Publishers
Print
- American Greetings
- National Geographic
- Rolling Stone
- San Francisco Bay Guardian
- Simon and Schuster
- SPIN
- The New Yorker
- US Postal Service
- Wall Street Journal
- And More Top Publishers
Program Learning Outcomes
To learn more about the skills you will acquire in this program, view BFA Program Learning Outcomes and MFA Program Learning Outcomes.
Contact us at 800.544.2787 (U.S. Only) or 415.274.2200.
|