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School of Illustration
Take your passion for illustration to the professional level by earning a four-year Illustration degree from Academy of Art University.
Inspire the world with your boundless imagination. The School of Illustration offers an innovative curriculum that blends digital technology with classical training to meet the marketplace’s growing need for trained artists in Inspire the world with your boundless imagination. The School of Illustration offers an innovative curriculum that blends digital technology with classical training to meet the marketplace’s growing need for trained artists in both areas. Your studies will take a contemporary approach to traditional techniques with an emphasis in drawing, composition, and storytelling. When you become a student at one of the best illustration schools, you’ll develop a keen attention to detail, gaining portrait, clothed figure, and live animal drawing skills and a deep understanding of anatomy and design.
Your career starts here.
Take the first step.
What We Teach
The School of Illustration gives you the necessary skills to create a professional body of work, as well as the business and marketing savvy required to succeed in your career. Attend the best illustration school and develop expert technique, focusing on the subtleties of color, expression, and environment to convey creativity professionally and beyond.
Learn Online
We are proud to be one of the best illustration schools, not only for on campus learning but online illustration programs, too. Our revolutionary online courses provide the same rigorous visual arts education that we offer on campus with greater flexibility. Our online programs are purpose-built to deliver art and design courses centered on the development of your skills. Study on your own time, at your own pace. Combine online and on campus classes.
Student Experience
BFA School of Illustration student Shiella Witanto journeyed from Indonesia to pursue her dream of being an artist. Throughout her time at one the best colleges for illustration, Sheilla has seen her art work and ability to tell stories with pictures develop. As a student, she has participated in many exciting events at the Academy of Art University, including exhibitions, and continues to cultivate her skills and talent as an illustrator.
Start Your Career Now
Your dream is within reach. Follow your heart and get started on the career of your dreams.
Featured Alumni
Faculty
Our faculty makes the difference. They are illustration industry veterans who help bridge the needs of the illustration industry with the curriculum and experience our students get.
Alumni Success
Red Bull Doodle & VR Art Gallery Event
Red Bull’s 2017 doodle contest celebration and award ceremony was held in San Francisco at the Academy of Art University. School of Illustration BFA, Shiella Witanto was named a western region finalist and participated with winners across the globe to help create an immersive Virtual Reality gallery.
Industry Partnership
Write Brain Books
As a student in the School of Illustration, you will have ample opportunity to work with WRiTE BRAiN BOOKS, which has been a partner to the school for more than half a decade.
Careers in Illustration
As one of the top art and design colleges with illustration majors in the country, Academy of Art University illustration graduates have a range of academic opportunities to choose from. Our facilities, faculty, and hands-on learning approach make us one of the best illustration schools and are designed to provide you with the tools you need to succeed as a professional in this industry.
COMPANIES THAT HIRED OUR GRADUATES