| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | College for Creative Studies | Michigan |
| 2 | Minneapolis College of Art & Design | Minnesota |
| 3 | Columbus College of Art and Design | Ohio |
| 4 | Cleveland Institute of Art | Ohio |
| 5 | Kansas City Art Institute | Missouri |
| 6 | Washington University in St. Louis | Missouri |
| 7 | Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design | Wisconsin |
| 8 | Columbia College Chicago | Illinois |
| 9 | Purdue University | Indiana |
| 10 | Art Academy of Cincinnati | Ohio |
| 11 | Ferris State University | Michigan |
| 12 | Iowa State University | Iowa |
| 13 | University of Illinois at Chicago | Illinois |
| 14 | Northern Illinois University | Illinois |
| 15 | University of Kansas | Kansas |
| 16 | American Academy of Art College | Illinois |
| 17 | Northern Michigan University | Michigan |
| 18 | Indiana University Indianapolis | Indiana |
| 19 | Boise State University | Idaho |
| 20 | Webster University | Missouri |
Our 2024 rankings of the Top 20 illustration schools in the Midwest.
We define the Midwest as Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
The Illustration Department at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) has programs leading to a BFA or a minor. The BFA requires 126-127 credit hours including 78 in studio areas, 42-43 in general studies courses, and six in general elective courses. The Illustration minor consists of 15 credits chosen from courses in the BFA program. Examples include Figure Illustration I-II; Illustration Techniques; and Anatomical Figure Illustration. Electives allow students in the minor to focus in a specific area of illustration.
During the first year of the CCS Illustration BFA, students will take courses in the Foundation Department. Areas of exploration during the year include Drawing, 2D and 3D Design, and Digital Tools. Students will also take courses in the Liberal Arts Department.
A major component of the CCS Illustration BFA is the opportunity to select a Pathway. Each Pathway allows students to create a focused portfolio for studio-based or freelance careers in Illustration. Pathway options include Publishing; Comics and Sequential; Visual Development; Gallery Artist; and Fashion, Lifestyle, and Licensing. An additional option is the Entrepreneurial Studies concentration, which is ideal for students who would like to launch their own studios.
Another major component of the Illustration BFA program at College for Creative Studies is the internship program. Through this experiential learning opportunity, upper division students will work with top brands, studios, corporations, and museums. Examples include Disney Consumer Products, Insomniac Games, Mattel Inc., Reader’s Digest, Cartoon Network, Converse, Hasbro, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, the Museum of American Illustration, Ball Aerospace, Diane von Furstenberg, Fisher Price, HoMedics, Museum of American Illustration, Anthropologie, Moosejaw, Museum of Fine Art, Grand Rapids Symphony, FOX News, and Spark Communications.
Full-time CCA Illustration BFA students will complete at least six academic hours and 24 studio hours each week to graduate from the program. Graduates have gone on to work with major companies, publishers, studios, and brands such as Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, Adidas, The New York Times, Cartoon Network, ESPN, Nike, Converse, Washington Post, and Ford.
Founded in 1906 as the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts, College for Creative Studies is a private, nonprofit institution that serves more than 1,400 students enrolled in 23 Art and Design programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. CCS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) has an Illustration BFA program that emphasizes collaboration across all majors. Consisting of 120 credit hours, the program also provides hands-on coursework with the opportunity to focus in any area within Illustration. Examples include children’s book illustration, illustration for entertainment (animation and games), product illustration, advertising illustration, editorial illustration, comic book illustration, surface design, and courtroom illustration.
Course examples for the program include Introduction to Illustration; Photography, The Moving Image, and Digital Culture; Digital Illustration; Ideation and Process; Tools of the Trade; Illustration Topics; Editorial Illustration; Illustration and Products; Applied Arts and Designed Objects; and Professional Practice: Illustration. In this course, students have opportunities to work on projects such as textbook illustrations, promotional materials and art for ad campaigns, and posters for nonprofit clients.
Other program features include the option to select a minor in an area such as Animation, Advertising, or Graphic Design; internship opportunities at local and national studios; and participation in the MCAD study abroad program. In partnership with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) Exchange Program, MCAD study abroad experiences take place at AICAD schools in Canada, the UK, China, and Singapore.
The Illustration BFA program at Minneapolis College of Art and Design culminates with the Senior Project: Illustration course worth six credits. For this final project, students may complete a research project, solve an in-depth illustration problem, or demonstrate advancements in a specific strength or style.
Graduates of the Art and Design programs at Minneapolis College of Art and Design enjoy a 93% employment rate, with nearly 60% of all graduates landing positions in their respective fields. MCAD alumni are Fine Artists, Children’s Book Illustrators, Editorial Illustrators, Comic Illustrators, Advertising Illustrators, Concept Artists, Fashion Illustrators, Courtroom Illustrators, Medical and Technical Illustrators, and Surface Designers.
Minneapolis College of Art and Design was established in 1886 by the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts. The school serves approximately 800 students from 40 states and 13 countries. Programs include 14 undergraduate majors leading to a BFA or BS, three MA degrees, one MFA degree, and seven professional development certificate options. Minneapolis College of Art and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also affiliated with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD).
Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) has an Illustration BFA program that gives all students the opportunity to work on the student publication Spitball: A CCAD Comics Anthology. As part of the Comics Anthology Practicum course, which simulates a professional comic publishing practice, students will work on the design, merchandising, and sale of the publication in collaboration with professional comic writers and artists.
CCAD Illustration BFA students also have the opportunity to and interact with storytellers, animators, comic artists, and professional writers through Cartoon Crossroads Columbus. Highlights include workshops, lectures, professional panels, and more. Other program features include access to state-of-the art facilities such as 2D and 3D illustration labs, the FabLab, and computer lab; opportunities to specialize in a creative area through a minor or concentration; and internship opportunities at businesses in Ohio and across the U.S.
CCAD minors are 15 credit hours and concentrations are nine credit hours. Minor examples include Comics & Narrative Practice; Animation 2D or 3D; Film & Video; Advertising & Graphic Design; Photography; Copywriting; Design Research; Industrial Design; and Business. An Illustration minor is also available for students in other majors. Concentration examples include Illustration/Entertainment; and Illustration/Illustrative Design.
Consisting of 120 credit hours, the Illustration BFA highlights courses such as Motion Illustration; Traditional Media Illustration; Character and Environment Design; Historical Art & Design; Digital Design Lab; Illustration Markets; and Illustration Self-Promotion. The Illustration BFA program at Columbus College of Art and Design culminates with the Illustration Capstone. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers across industries.
Program alumni have been hired at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Marvel Comics, Boeing, Disney Consumer Products (DCP), Sony Pictures, DC Comics, The Wall Street Journal, Hasbro, Cartoon Network, Bath & Body Works, Williams Sonoma, Ogilvy & Mather, Hallmark, Pixar, CBS News, forever 21, and American Greetings.
Columbus College of Art & Design was established in 1879 by five women. The school serves approximately 1,010 undergraduate and graduate students from 36 states and 14 countries. CCAD provides 11 undergraduate majors, 18 minors, and three graduate programs across 10+ departments. Columbus College of Art & Design is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). CCAD is also affiliated with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD).
The Illustration program at Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) provides real world experiences through partnerships with external clients—all before graduation. CIA Illustration students also benefit from field trips to advertising agencies and professional studios; interactions with visiting artists; small-group seminars; private, individual studio spaces; and access to Integrated Media Environment Facilities, lighting and shooting spaces, a sound recording studio, and fabrication studios.
Illustration at Cleveland Institute of Art consists of two paths: the Illustration BFA and the Life Sciences Illustration BFA. Both programs explore traditional materials and techniques such as acrylics, oils, inks, collage, and pencils. Students will also master industry standard software such as Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
Consisting of 120 credit hours of study, the Illustration BFA features courses such Layout Rendering Techniques; Illustration I-II; Character Design + Development; Graphic Novels + Sequential Art; Picture Book Illustration; Visual Concepts in Illustration; Sound Design Fundamentals; Illustration: Advanced Illustration Studio Projects; and Professional Practices: Entrepreneurial Ventures.
The Illustration BFA program at Cleveland Institute of Art culminates with the BFA Thesis and Exhibition. Graduates of the program are prepared for carers in areas such as Book and Magazine Publishing, Entertainment, Animation, Game Design, Comic Book Publishing, and Advertising.
The Life Sciences Illustration BFA program at Cleveland Institute of Art is designed for artists seeking a program that integrates Art and Science. One of the few BFA degrees of its kind in the U.S. the Life Sciences program explores topics such as Information Design, Illustration, Interactive Design, Botanical Sciences, Serious Game Design, Animation, Zoological Sciences, Sound Design, Biological Sciences, Research Methods, and Professional Development.
Course examples for the program include Interactive Narratives; Advanced Concepts & Methods; Digital Biomedical Illustration; Digital Color: Style + Representation in Science; Line: Information Visualization; Veterinary Illustration; 3D Animation; Natural Science & Zoological Illustration; 3D Modeling; Cellular + Molecular Illustration; and Anatomy for the Artist.
A major component of the CIA Life Sciences Illustration BFA program is the internship, which provides the opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience in this unique field. Professional Practices courses provide additional insight into how the industry works and how to gain entry. The courses highlight portfolio development for online and offline media, demo reels, and professional packages consisting of business cards, resumes, cover letters, etc. Courses include Professional Practices: Studio to Gallery; and Professional Practices: Industry.
The Life Sciences Illustration BFA program at Cleveland Institute of Art culminates with the BFA Thesis and Exhibition. Program alumni hold titles such as Illustrator, Biomedical Illustrator, 3D Animation Artist, 3D Designer, Art Director, Forensic Illustrator, Scientific Illustrator, Medical Illustrator, and Educator.
Cleveland Institute of Art was chartered as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women in 1882. This independent, not-for-profit college serves around 600 students enrolled in 13 entertainment arts, design, fine arts, and craft majors. Cleveland Institute of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) is home to the Department of Illustration. One of the school’s largest and fastest growing departments, the Department of Illustration has a BFA program with a required internship with potential employer’s such as Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Porter Teleo Design Firm, The Kansas City Star, The American Jazz Museum, and Boulevard Brewing Company.
Students also have access to 21,500 square feet of studios, including the new Tony Jones Studios, that provide the opportunity to learn and work in a professional environment. Through MICRO—KCAI’s in-house agency, students can also gain hands-on experience working on projects with partner brands such as the Kansas City Royals and Children’s Mercy Hospital.
All programs at Kansas City Art Institute begin with the KCAI Foundation Program. This immersive experience lasts a full year and includes dedicated industrial studios and independent work and storage spaces; collaborative programs, projects, and workshops; training in the Print Center (digital design and output), Beals Studios (digital fabrication), and Central Shop (woodworking); faculty mentors; and 16 contact hours of studio per week.
During the first-year program, students will also participate in the Foundation Seminar, which provides the opportunity to interact with activists, artists, and KCAI alumni. Upon completion of the first year, BFA students may move on to second year requirements or declare a double major in Illustration and Art History or Illustration and Creative Writing.
All KCAI Illustration students will explore storytelling; 2D and 3D; and traditional and digital media while creating children’s books, video games, comic books, and editorial magazines. Course examples for the program include Organic Perceptions; Paper and Ink; Exploring the Narrative; Analytical Drawing Systems; Covers and Pages; Storytellers-Myth Makers; Graphic Form for Illustrators; Cultural Safari; Conceptual Problem Solving; and US (Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility).
In the final year of the program, students will complete Illustration in Action: Networking & Exhibition, and Professional Practice: The Business of Illustration. The KCAI Illustration BFA program culminates with a thesis completed over two courses: Image Thesis I and II.
Graduates of the Illustration BFA program at Kansas City Art Institute have won awards presented by publications such as Print, Communication Arts, The Society of Illustrators, and American Illustration.
Program alumni work has been featured in children’s books and in publications such as Wired, The New York Times, Step-Inside-Design, and Women’s Day. Illustration BFA graduates have also been hired in a variety of roles by industry leaders such as Nickelodeon, American Greetings, MTV, Nike, and Hallmark.
Kansas City Art Institute was established in 1885 as a Sketch Club. Situated just steps from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art within Kansas City’s arts corridor, this four-year art and design college serves more than 700 students enrolled in 13 majors across 15 program areas. Kansas City Art Institute is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
The Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) was established in 2006. Within the school are the College of Art, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, and the College of Architecture. Programs for Illustrators are part of the College of Art and include BA and BFA degrees in Studio Art & Design with a major in Communication Design, and the Illustration + Visual Culture MFA (MFA-IVC). Communication Design students may select the 15-unit Design minor or move between illustration, drawing, book arts, interaction design, and more to match their goals.
The minor has a mix and match component that allows students to select courses in Illustration, Communication, the Illustrated Book Studio, and Fashion Design. Communication Design students may select as many illustration courses as they desire. Course examples include Illustration as Practice; Applied Illustration; Animated Worlds; Image and Meaning; Panel by Panel: Narrative Comics; Semiotics Studio: Designing Signs and Symbols; Literatures of Drawing; and The Illustrator’s Sketchbook.
The Communication Design BFA begins with the First Year Experience, which consists of core studios such as 2D Design, digital studio, and drawing. Students will also attend a weekly seminar. All studios are taught in teams by communication design and studio art faculty, and mentored by a dedicated academic advisor. In the second and third years of the BFA program, students will take advanced courses and select their own major courses.
The WashU Communication Design BFA culminates with a Capstone project. For this final project, students have created comics, illustrated books, graphic novels, screen-based art, zines, and digital experiences. Capstones are displayed in a public exhibition and reviewed by art and design professionals.
The Illustration + Visual Culture MFA is a two-year, fully residential program that consists of 50% Illustration studio work, 20% Visual Culture, History & Theory, 15-20% hands-on archive work, and 10-15% electives. Housed in the Roxanne H. Frank Design Studio (the Roxy), the MFA-IVC provides each student with their own studio space and access to state-of-the-art equipment and software, study areas, and group critique sessions.
Electives for the program allow students to focus in specific areas of art, design, and entertainment. Elective examples include Narrative Comics; Book Arts; Illustration Concepts and Media; Branding and Identity; Image & Story; Painting; Animated Worlds; The Illustrator’s Sketchbook; Game Design; Visual Culture; Applied Illustration; Type and Image: Experiments on Press; Printmaking; Typography; and Art History.
Consisting of 60 credit hours, the MFA-IVC program at WashU requires courses such as Illustration Studio 1: Drawing & Voice; Comics & Cartooning: A Critical Survey; The Illustrated Periodical; Special Collections: Exhibitions & Engagement; Readings in Visual & Material Culture; Special Collections: Research Methods; and Graduate Drawing Studio. All MFA-IVC students will complete an internship and two final Thesis courses including Thesis Studio 1: Drawing & Voice, and Thesis Studio 2.
Graduates of the MFA-IVC program at the WashU’s Sam Fox School are prepared for to pursue roles such as author-artists of picture books, graphic novels, and comics; creative directors; illustration professors; curatorial staff in libraries, auction houses and museums; and critical writer’s on popular culture.
Founded in 1853, Washington University in St. Louis serves approximately 15,220 students enrolled in more than 300 academic programs across seven schools and the Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Architecture; and Art. The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts was founded in 2006 after the merging of the academic units of Architecture and Art, and the Washington University in St. Louis Museum. Washington University in St. Louis has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1913.
Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) has an Illustration BFA program that prepares students for roles such as Illustrator, Designer, or Art Director. The program accomplishes this through features such as the Seminar Series, which provides the opportunity for students to interact one-on-one with outside professionals from all areas within the field.
Illustration BFA students also benefit from access to MIAD’s new Illustration studios, classrooms, and the Emerging Technology Center; portfolio development courses; internships at local and regional companies and studios; and participation in semester-long study abroad experiences.
Consisting of 120 credit hours, the MIAD Illustration BFA program begins with the First Year Experience (FYE). Each semester in the FYE consists of 15 required credits including major courses and beginning liberal studies. Course examples include Process of Inquiry; Introduction to the Practice of Art & Design History; Systems Drawing; Digital 2D; Visual Language; Intro to Advanced Study; and Digital 4D.
Upon completion of the FYE, students will take courses such as Illustration I-IV; Advanced Figure Drawing for Illustrators; Illustration Media; History of Illustration and Communication Design Since 1850; Advanced 2D Digital; Patterns in Nature; Typography; and The Creative Professional in Context.
BFA students may also add a minor to enhance the degree. Popular options include Book Arts, Writing, Digital Media Production, Copywriting, Advertising, Arts Management, and Business.
The Illustration BFA program at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design culminates with the Illustration Thesis Project, Portfolio, and MIAD Exhibition. Students are required to be actively involved in the overall preparation of the Exhibition including signage, lighting crew, gallery monitoring, painting crew, etc.
Graduates of the MIAD Illustration BFA program are prepared to pursue positions in children’s book publishing, editorial, graphic design, comics, advertising and marketing, architecture, exhibit design, animation, game design, forensic illustration, textile design, medical illustration, storyboard art, new media, and fashion illustration.
BFA program alumni have been hired at places such as Hallmark, Kohl’s Corporate, Harley-Davidson, Kohler, Estee Lauder, Hanson Dodge Creative, Rockwell Automation, Kimberly Clark, Milwaukee Public Television, Santa Fe communications, and Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Graduates have also gone o to launch tier own studios such as THIEL Design and Studio8Design.
Founded in 1974, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design serves 900 degree-seeking students, 600 pre-college students, and 250 outreach/special programs students. For degree-seeking students, MIAD provides seven degree programs, five studio minors, and nine liberal studies minors. The school’s affiliation with Marquette University provides access to additional courses in Humanities and Sciences, and other resources.
Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design is a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD)—a consortium of 39 leading art schools in the United States and Canada. The school is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Columbia College Chicago (Columbia) has two paths to study Illustration—the BA or BFA. Both options explore traditional and digital illustration, visual storytelling, the illustration business, and the three commercial models including contract-based, institutional, and freelance. Across programs, students will develop skills through hands-on client-focused projects. Courses expose students to cartooning, digital illustration, figure drawing, painting, and typography.
The Illustration BFA program at Columbia College Chicago is a professionally focused degree that requires advanced coursework and electives. The BA provides a foundation in Illustration, and allows students to add a second major or minor. Minor examples include Motion Graphics, Creative Writing, Game Art, Journalism, Animation, or Graphic Design. Second major examples include Game Art, Graphic Design, and Computer Animation.
Course examples across programs include Illustration: Materials & Techniques; Children’s Book Illustration; Cartooning; Illustration Studio I-III; Digital Illustration; Drawing the Graphic Novel; Concept Art; Special issues in Illustration; Design Lab; Survey of Typography; Design Thinking; Figure Drawing; Visual Culture; and Freelance Illustration.
The culminating experience for the Illustration BA and BFA programs at Columbia College is the development and completion of a professional portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions in industries such as traditional book publishing, comic book publishing, animation, video games, fashion design, film, advertising, product design, magazine publishing, toy design, and architecture.
Columbia College alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, American Express, House of Vans, HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The New Yorker, Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, VICE Media, Chronicle Books, Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine, TimeOut Magazine, WBEZ Chicago, and Goose Island Beer Co.
Columbia College Chicago was established in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory. The school serves nearly 6,700 students enrolled in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. In addition to programs in creative areas such as communication and writing, media and digital, and music and sound, Columbia provides several business management programs. Columbia College Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University (Purdue) is home to the Patti & Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Rueff School houses the Department of Art and Design and a flexible Integrated Studio Arts BFA. Students in this program can major or minor in Drawing and Illustration.
BFA students can select courses in illustration, computer art, drawing, mixed media, life drawing, painting, printmaking, silkscreen, alternative processes, relief, monoprint, art history, etching, and lithography. To enhance the degree students can take electives in areas such as textiles, sculpture, metals, and ceramics.
Other program features include access to state-of-the-art studios, labs, and production spaces; field trips to conferences, galleries, museums, and design exhibitions; workshops, lectures, and demonstrations by visiting artists and designers; and access to more than 500 special interest clubs and student organizations such as the American Institute of Graphic Arts and Textile Art at Purdue (TAP). In addition, all BFA students may apply for a summer internship or participate in the co-op program.
Graduates of Fine Arts BFA program at Purdue University are prepared to pursue careers in illustration, animation, publishing, filmmaking, video games, multimedia production, book publishing, comic books, photojournalism, and education, among others. Program alumni are also prepared to seek positions at museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions.
Purdue University is Indiana’s only land-grant university. Established in 1869, the school has campuses and centers across the state, as well as Purdue University Global and Purdue University Online. The main campus in West Lafayette, Indiana serves approximately 52,210 students, making it the second largest university in the state. Students at this location come from all 50 states and nearly 130 countries.
Purdue provides more than 400 programs across 13 colleges and schools. Approximately 11% of all students at Purdue attend Purdue Polytechnic Institute, which provides 30 BS programs and more than 20 graduate degrees. Purdue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The Illustration BFA at Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) is a transdisciplinary, studio-based program that requires 120 credit hours. This includes 42 hours in the major and 27 in studio electives. Because the program is transdisciplinary, students have the opportunity to explore a variety of other creative areas such as animation, motion graphics, installation, sound art, printmaking, new media, drawing, digital sculpture, and Installation.
Other program features include two- to six-month study abroad experiences in places such as Berlin, Hong Kong, and London; seminars and workshops; and summer internships in New York City and other cultural centers.
All AAC students will complete the First Year Experience (FYE), which explores creative thinking, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. FYE course examples include Ideation; Digital Literacy, Artist as Writer Workshop; Communication; and Discovery and Voice. Upon completion of the AAC FYE, students will move on to their chosen major.
Illustration students will take courses such as Illustration: Narrative; Storyboarding and Compositing; Illustration: Process and Media; Storytelling Art for Motion Graphics; Comic Book Art; Introduction to 2D Animation; Social Practice in the Arts; Academy Design Service; Introduction to 3D Animation; Illustration: Communication; Artist Books; and Going Big: Professionalism Workshop.
All Illustration students will complete one of the following: Exhibition Studio; Academy Design Service; Advanced Creative Writing Seminar: Poetics/Aesthetics; Museums, Knowledge, and Power; or the Internship.
The Senior Year Experience (SYE) is the culminating experience for the AAC Illustration BFA program. The SYE consists of 18 credit hours including the Senior Pathway Studio 1-2, Senior Seminar, and the Senior Thesis.
Graduates of the Illustration BFA program at Art Academy of Cincinnati are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as book and magazine publishing, animation, comic book publishing, film and video, game design, branding and packaging, architecture, advertising, graphic design, and fine art.
Founded in 1869, Art Academy of Cincinnati serves 240 students enrolled in eight majors leading to a BFA, an Art Education MA, and a Graphic Design AS. AAC is a private independent college of art and design that became a charter member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) in 1948. The school is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Ferris State University (Ferris State) is home to Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD), which provides several paths to study Illustration. Degree options include BFAs in Illustration, and Life Sciences & Pre-Medical Illustration. Non-degree programs include a 15 credit-hour Illustration minor and a certificate in Natural Science Illustration.
Students in the Illustration minor will take courses such as Introduction to Illustration and Illustration Techniques. The program allows students to select three credits of Illustration electives. Examples include Children’s Book Design; Publication Illustration; and Graphic Design for Illustrators.
The Natural Science Illustration Certificate is a 23 credit hour, studio-focused program that provides opportunities to collaborate with and work for museums, nature preserves, museums, and zoos. Course examples for the program include Introduction to Illustration; Rendering; Natural Science Illustration; and Botanical Illustration. The certificate is open to Illustration BFA students.
The Illustration BFA at Ferris State/KCAD was established in the early 1960s. The program explores both traditional and emerging media, with 27 required semester hours of supportive studio courses and 39 credit hours of major studio courses. Course examples include Illustration I-III; Advanced Inking; 3D Illustration; Graphic Design/Illustration; Narrative Perspective; Rendering; Digital Illustration Painting; Observational Field Sketching; Natural Science Illustration; Contemporary Fashion Illustrating; and Illustration Professional Practice.
Other program features include access to KCAD galleries and the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA); state-of-the-art labs, studios, and production facilities; participation in the KCAD Illustration Society; and internships during the academic year and summer months; and summer travel/study experiences.
The Illustration BFA program at Ferris State University culminates with a professional portfolio of the student’s best work. Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as Children’s Book Illustrator, Game Artist, Editorial Illustrator, Cartoonist, Storyboard Artist, Mural Designer, Exhibit Designer, Creative Director, and Fashion Illustrator. Some program alumni go on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
The Life Science and Pre-Medical Illustration BFA at Ferris State University combines general education courses with coursework that explores medical illustration methods, rendering, computer-aided 3D design, traditional media illustration, medical terminology, computer animation, and drawing.
Courses for this professional, three-year program are delivered through Ferris State University, KCAD, Michigan State University, and Grand Rapids Community College. Course examples include Medical Illustration Methods I-III; Medical Illustration Animation; Graphic Design for Illustrators; Dialogue & Personality; Illustration Techniques; Illustration Digital Methods; and Professional Practices for the Medical Illustrator.
The Life Science and Pre-Medical Illustration BFA at Ferris State University culminates with the Advanced Problems in Biomedical Art Capstone. Graduates are prepared to pursue graduate studies or a career as a Life Sciences Illustrator, Illustrator for Animation and Film, Advertising Illustrator, and many others.
Program alumni freelance Medical Illustrators, Animators, Digital 3D Modelers, and Medical Legal Illustrators. Some graduates also work in animation and patient data segmentation for 3D printing, UI/UX design, and storybook illustration.
Ferris State University was established in 1884. Located in Big Rapids, Michigan, the school serves more than 10,000 students enrolled in more than 190 programs across seven degree-granting colleges. Ferris State university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Founded in 1928, Kendall College of Art and Design is one of the seven colleges within Ferris State University. Located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, KCAD serves 565 students enrolled in dozens of specialized undergraduate degree programs and several graduate and certificate programs. As part of Ferris State University, Kendall College of Art and Design is accredited by the HLC. KCAD is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
The Department of Art and Visual Culture at Iowa State University (Iowa State) has BA, BFA, and MFA programs that focus in fine arts and visual culture. Housed in the College of Design, the department provides opportunities for students in all programs to tailor the curriculum to their specific interests through a minor, electives, concentration, or second major. Whether its Illustration, Painting =, or Drawing, student can even combine approaches to reach their education goals.
The department’s Illustration minor is also customizable, with access to courses that explore graphic novels, illustration for books, advertising and concept art for game design and film, and magazine illustration. The Illustration minor can be taken alone or added to majors such Art & Design, Integrated Studio Arts, Graphic Design, Interdisciplinary Design, or Landscape Architecture. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared for studio careers, freelance work, or to launch their own studios.
In partnership with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS), College of Design provides two additional options for students interested in Illustration—the Biological and Pre-Medical Illustration BA (BPMI BA), and a 17 credit hour BPMI minor with both traditional illustration and scientific illustration coursework. The BPMI BA program is also part of the Department of BPMI, which accepts just 45 students annually.
While the BA focuses on biological and pre-medical illustration, students will also develop visual design skills, take courses in visual communications, and learn the latest artistic techniques. The skills developed can be applied to other creative fields such as Drawing, Animation, Painting, and Photography.
Course examples for the BPMI BA include Drawing II; Illustration as Communication; Rendering and Virtual Photography; Illustration and Illustration Software; Computer Modeling; and Business Communication. Students can also select additional Illustration and other related courses through electives. Examples include History of Comics; Digital Imaging; Character and Scene Design; Independent Study in Illustration; Sequential Narrative Drawing; Principles of 3D Animation; and Advanced Drawing.
All College of Design students at Iowa State will complete the College of Design Core. Consisting of 13 credit hours, the Core requires Digital Design Literacy; Drawing I; Design in Context; Design Studio I; Design Collaborative Seminar; and Design Exchange Seminar I. In addition, all College of Design students have the opportunity to complete an internship and/or participate in the Rome Program.
During this semester-long experience, students will attend classes in the college’s studio facilities in the historic center of Rome at the Palazzo Cenci Bolognetti—a 16th-century building located in the Piazza delle Cinque Scole near the Tiber River. Students will also collaborate with local art and design professionals and produce creative works in a fully licensed facility.
Iowa State University graduates enjoy a 100% employment (or graduate school) rate within six months of graduation. Design students are prepared to pursue positions across industries. Examples include children’s book publishing, entertainment (animation, film, television), scientific and medical illustration, traditional publishing, game design, comic book publishing, and advertising.
Founded in 1858, Iowa State University is the nation’s first designated land-grant institution. The school serves approximately 30,180 students enrolled in more than 100 majors across six undergraduate colleges, and 200+ fields of study leading a graduate or professional degree. Programs at Iowa State are housed across a total of eight colleges and schools, and around 150 academic departments. Iowa State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The College of Applied Sciences at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) houses a Biomedical Visualization MS (BVIS MS) that is just one of five accredited graduate programs for Medical Illustration in North America. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and over 100 years old, the BVIS program provides plenty of opportunities to develop traditional illustration, animation, and other skills through electives such as Illustration Techniques; Animation I-IV; Advanced Illustration Techniques; Advanced Serious Game Development; Immersive Interactive Visualization; 3D Space I: Modeling (Maya); Visual Learning & Visual Thinking; Modeling I-III; 360 Animation; Surgical Illustration; and Visual Storytelling in Biomedical Visualization.
Other program benefits include partnership with other medical programs, professional medical societies, medical advertising agencies, pharmaceutical companies, museums, animation studios and software that allow students to gain real-world, hands-on experience; access to state-of-the art studios, labs, and production facilities; and seminars, independent study, and workshops.
Graduates of the BVIS MS at UIC go on to become Illustrators or Science Visualization Specialists in areas such as medical illustration, interactive media, animation, game design and development, virtual and augmented reality, and haptics. Many program alumni also become board certified as Certified Medical Illustrators through the Association of Medical Illustrators.
University of Illinois at Chicago serves approximately 33,520 students, making it the largest university in the Chicago area. With roots dating back to 1859 when the Chicago College of Pharmacy was founded, UIC provides more than 250 degree programs and 85 minors across 16 academic colleges. The University of Illinois at Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is home to the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). Within the CVPA are three schools including Art and Design; Theater and Dance; and Music. An institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 1969, the School of Art and Design has an Art Studio and Design BFA program with an Illustration specialization.
Led by professional artists who are active in the Illustration and Scientific/Medical Illustration fields, the BFA program begins with courses such as Drawing Foundation I; 2-D Foundation; and 3-D Foundation. Upon completion of foundation coursework, students will move on to courses such as Beginning Illustration; Introduction to Visual Communication; Beginning Life Drawing; and Intermediate Illustration.
In the junior and senior years of the NIU BFA program, students will take upper division courses such as Computer Vector Applications for Illustration; 2D Animation; Advanced Illustration; Computer Raster; Painting II; and Visual Communication.
The Art Studio and Design BFA at Northern Illinois University culminates with the Senior Project in Illustration. Graduates are prepared for graduate study or to pursue titles such as Children’s Book Illustrator, Comics Illustrator, Concept Artist for Games and Films, Advertising Illustrator, Product Designer, Editorial Illustrator, Graphic Novelist, and Scientific and Medical Illustrator.
Chartered in 1895, Northern Illinois University opened in 1899 as a teachers’ school called the Northern Illinois State Normal School. The school serves approximately 15,500 students enrolled in more than 180 programs across seven colleges. Northern Illinois University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The School of Architecture and Design at University of Kansas (KU) is home to the Department of Design. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Design Department features workshops and lectures led by top designers; opportunities to collaborate with KU’s industry partners; access to state-of-the-art bookmaking, print, digital fabrication, and finishing labs; opportunities to participate in semester long internships; and short- and long-term study abroad experiences;
For students seeking a degree in Illustration, the Design Department has a BFA in Design with a concentration in Illustration. The program takes place in a hands-on studio environment that emphasizes projects and coursework in analog, digital, and time-based media. Course examples for the program include Drawing Media for Illustration I-II; Visual Culture; Concept Art for Illustration I-II; Principles of Graphic Design; History of Illustration; and Professional Lecture Series.
To prepare students for careers in the industry, to launch their own studios, or start a freelance business, the Illustration program at KU also requires courses such as Navigating the Creative and Legal Landscape; Communications; and Promotion and Marketing I-II. The program culminates with the final project and Senior Show.
Graduates of the Design/Illustration BFA program at University of Kansas are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as book and magazine publishing; entertainment; advertising and marketing; video game design; branding and package design; motion graphics; film; scientific and medical illustration; and fashion and retail.
Sample job titles include Concept Artist, Storyboard Artist, Children’s Book Illustrator, Game Illustrator, Patent Illustrator, Graphic Artist; and Fashion Illustrator. Program alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Disney, Pixar, and Hallmark Cards.
University of Kansas (est. 1865) opened on September 12, 1866 with one building and 55 students. Today, the school serves 28,500 students across five Kansas campuses including Lawrence, Overland Park, Kansas City, Wichita, and Salina. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), University of Kansas houses more than 400 degree and certificate programs across 13 academic schools.
American Academy of Art College (Academy of Art) has an Illustration BFA program that emphasizes independent and team projects, the development of professional skills, and the latest industry technology. Other program features include courses led by professionals in the Illustration industry; opportunities to compete an internship; workshops and portfolio development courses; and study abroad experiences.
The Illustration BFA program at Academy of Art requires 122 credit hours of study. Courses include Design for Illustrators; Beginning Life Drawing I-II; Illustration: Visual Storytelling; Digital Graphic Foundations; Illustration: Editorial and Publishing Art; Storyboarding; Illustration: Advertising Art; Digital Illustration I; Film and Society; Advanced Illustration; Light and Color; Art Direction; and Drawing for Illustrators. Studio electives allow students to develop additional skills in other creative disciplines.
The Illustration BFA program at American Academy of Art College culminates with a professional portfolio of the student’s best work. Graduates are prepared for graduate study or to pursue titles such as Comic Book Artist, Editorial Illustrator, Storyboard Artist, Children’s Book Illustrator, Art Director, Interactive Designer, Technical Illustrator, Production Artist, Muralist, Exhibition Designer, Caricature Artist, News & Courtroom Illustrator, Concept Artist, Art Educator, and Freelance Illustrator.
Founded in 1923 as a school for aspiring fine and commercial artists, American Academy of Art College is a private Art and Design School that serves approximately 170 students enrolled in Graphic Design, Illustration, 3D Modeling and Animation, Oil Painting, Art Direction, and Photography programs. All options lead to a BFA. American Academy of Art College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The College of Arts and Sciences at Northern Michigan University (Northern or NMU) serves more than 5,000 students enrolled in programs across 15 academic departments, three centers, and the School of Art and Design. Known as NMUArt, the School of Art and Design provides 12 different areas of study, including Illustration. The program leads to a BA, BFA, BS, or AA in Art and Design with a focus in Illustration.
All students will learn and create in the Illustration Studio. Located in the NMU Art and Design Building, this multi-purpose space simulates a professional studio environment for traditional and digital media. In the Illustration Studio, students will also participate in critiques and discussions; demonstrations and lectures; and collaborative projects.
The NMUArt Illustration curriculum consist of courses such as Illustration: Foundations; Illustration: Narrative Figure; Illustration: Methods and Materials; Illustration: Digital Media; and Illustration Advanced Studio I-II. The program culminates with a final professional portfolio of the student's best work.
Graduates of the Art and Design/Illustration program at Northern Michigan University are prepared to pursue positions in areas such as children’s book publishing, animation, new media, game design, editorial, comics, advertising and marketing, architecture, graphic design, exhibit design, forensic illustration, storyboard art, fashion illustration, textile design, and medical illustration.
Northern Michigan University was founded in 1899 as Northern State Normal School. When it opened, the school welcomed 32 students. Today, Northern serves 7,000 students enrolled in more than 170 degree programs across 10 colleges and schools. Northern Michigan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Indiana University Indianapolis (formerly IUPUI) is home to Herron School of Art and Design (Herron). Educating students for over 120 years, Herron serves more than 650 students today, enrolled in 20+ majors leading to 14 degree programs. Herron also provides seven minor and certificate programs.
Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), Herron School of Art and Design houses more than 70 studio spaces; 10,000+ square feet of exhibition space; dozens of classrooms and labs; critique spaces; and state-of-the-art production and fabrication facilities.
For students who would like to pursue a career in Illustration, Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) has a Drawing and Illustration BFA program. With extensive studio experience in both Drawing and illustration, this professional degree program requires 125 credits to graduate.
Course examples for the program include Introduction to Contemporary Art; 2D Design; Drawing I-IV; 3D Design; Image & 4D Studio; A Critical Approach to Art; Digital Rendering; Building & Making; Intermediate Illustration I-II; Studio Art & Technology; Advanced Drawing & Illustration; and Narrative Drawing.
The Drawing and Illustration BFA program at Indiana University Indianapolis culminates with the Thesis Exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as Editorial Illustrator, Toy Designer, Game Artist, Comic Book Illustrator, Concept Artist, Children's Book Illustrator, Storyboard Artist, Cartoonist, Packaging Designer, Product Designer, Scientific Illustrator, Technical Illustrator, and Exhibition Designer.
Some BFA alumni go on to enroll in a top graduate program, while others launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
Established in 1820, Indiana University was one of the first public universities west of the Allegheny Mountains. Classes began in 1825 with just 10 men. In 1967, IU became one of the first state universities to admit women. Today, Indiana University is a top public research university with more than 69,000 undergraduate students and 20,000+ graduate and professional students from all backgrounds and 164 countries. More than 930 academic programs are provided across seven campuses, including Indiana University Indianapolis. Indiana University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) at Boise State University (BSU) is home to the Department of Art, Design and Visual Studies. Within the department is an Illustration BFA program that requires 120 credit hours. This includes 37 credits from University Foundations and 83 credits in the major. Foundations course examples include Stars and Cosmology; Cinema History and Aesthetics; Introduction to Art; Language Myths; The Global Neighborhood; and Magic, Witchcraft and Religion.
The major consists of a combination of required courses, studios, seminars, and electives. Examples include Art Foundation I-II; Figure Drawing; Seminar (Issues in Contemporary Visual Culture); Illustration I-II; Introduction to Time-Based Art; Advanced Studio in Illustration; and Painting I-II.
The Illustration BFA program culminates with the Senior Project in Illustration course, which includes a formal Presentation or Exhibition. Graduates of the Illustration BFA program at Boise State University will enter the job market with a professional portfolio of their best work.
Program alumni are prepared to pursue careers in fields such as book publishing, animation, cartooning, comic book design, game art, film, advertising, exhibit design, technical illustration, and packaging design.
Founded by the Episcopal Church in 1932, Boise State University opened as Boise Junior College. Today, this public research university serves approximately 26,270 students enrolled in 200 programs of study, including 14 doctoral programs and the nation’s only master’s degree in Raptor Biology. BSU are housed across nine colleges and dozens of departments. Boise State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
The Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts at Webster University (Webster) houses the Department of Art, Design, and Art History (DADAH). Within the DADAH are two paths to study Illustration: the Art BFA with an intensive studio Illustration emphasis and an Illustration certificate. The Art BFA consists of 73 required credit hours, 29 elective credit hours, and the 18 credit-hour Global Citizenship Program (GCP) for a total of 120 credit hours.
GCP requirements come from courses in the following categories: Global Understanding, Roots and Cultures, Quantitative Literacy, Social Systems & Human Behavior, and Physical & Natural World. DADAH Art BFA students will also complete the Global Keystone and Global Cornerstone seminars.
The Illustration emphasis features courses such as Creative Strategies; Topics in Illustration and Drawing; Current Art; Narrative Figure Drawing; Concept Art; Digital Visualizations; Anatomy Studies; Materials and Making; Character Design; Illustration; Observational Drawing; Professional Practice for Illustrators.
During the final year of the Art BFA/Illustration program at Webster University, students will complete the DADAH Critique and BFA Review, leading to the Senior Exhibition.
Webster’s 18 credit hour Illustration certificate is designed for students interested in supplementing a related major. Core courses for the Illustration certificate program include Narrative Figure Drawing; Topics in Studio Art: Illustration; Digital Visualizations; and Illustration. To reach 18 credit hours, students may choose electives from art, animation, and design. Examples include Comic Book Creation; Design for Digital Portfolios; Digital Drawing; Printmaking Concepts and Techniques; Character Design; Text and Image; Design Play; Painting I; and Anatomy Studies.
Graduates of the Illustration programs at Webster University are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as animation, television, and film; traditional and children’s book publishing; magazine and newspaper publishing; comic book and graphic novel publishing; advertising and marketing; packaging and brand design; game art and design; graphic design; fashion design and retail; toy design; scientific and medical illustration; storyboard art; courtroom illustration; patent illustration; and forensic art.
Webster University was founded in 1915 as Loretto College by the Sisters of Loretto. When it opened, the school became the first senior Catholic college for women in Missouri and one of the first Catholic women’s colleges west of the Mississippi River. Today, Webster serves approximately 13,450 students enrolled in more than 160 programs across five colleges and schools. Webster University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
