| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ArtCenter College of Design | California |
| 2 | California College of the Arts | California |
| 3 | Otis College of Art and Design | California |
| 4 | San Jose State University | California |
| 5 | California State University, Long Beach | California |
| 6 | Academy of Art University | California |
| 7 | California State University, Fullerton | California |
| 8 | Pacific Northwest College of Art at Willamette University | Oregon |
| 9 | Laguna College of Art and Design | California |
| 10 | California State University, Northridge | California |
Our 2024 rankings of the Top 10 illustration schools on the west coast. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
The Illustration BFA program at ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) has six different tracks that allow students to train for careers in everything from children’s publishing to VFX. Options include Illustration Desigin; Entertainment Arts; Surface Design; Fine Art Painting; Motion Design; and Entertainment Arts- Consumer Products.
Illustration Design prepares students for careers ranging from Storyboard Artist to Scientific Illustrator to Children’s Book Illustrator. In Entertainment Arts, students develop animation skills and product development for the entertainment industry (films, TV, and video games).
In Surface Design, students develop the skills needed to pursue careers in Textile Design and Graphic Illustrated Imagery. Fine Art Painting focuses on craft and technique as a precursor to the conceptual process. Motion Design prepares students for success in the fields of Advertising, Film, VFX, Music Videos, and Public Service Announcements (PSAs).
Students in Entertainment Arts-Consumer Products will develop product development, animation, graphic design, and children’s book illustration skills, among others.
The ArtCenter Illustration BFA (with track), consists of 120 credit hours. Illustration Design students will take courses such as Digital Illustration; Children’s Book Illustration; and Illustration Design Lab. Key courses for the Entertainment Arts track include Storyboarding; Visual Development; and Composition for Film. Surface Design features courses such as The Art of Fashion’ Introduction to Textile Design;’ and Craft Techniques.
Fine Art Painting students will take courses such as Wet Paint; Painting Projects; and Re-Presentation: Narrative and Bodies. Motion Design includes courses such as Sequential Design 3; Advanced Motion Studio; and Type 5 Motion. And finally, Entertainment Arts-Consumer Products focuses on courses such as Character Design; Graphic Design for Entertainment Arts; and Introduction to Maya and 3D Animation. Note that many tracks have overlapping coursework, so have the opportunity to study across tracks.
Graduates of the Illustration BFA program at ArtCenter College of Design may continue their studies by enrolling in the school’s Interdisciplinary MFA program. This option allows students to customize the degree to support any medium. Other program features include individual studio spaces; access to state-of-the art facilities, software, galleries, and project studios; and study abroad opportunities in Paris, Berlin, Mexico City, and Cologne.
ArtCenter partnerships with major companies and studios across the U.S. have also provided opportunities for BFA and MFA students to intern with or establish salaried employment at places such as Microsoft, Riot Games, Mattel, Blizzard Entertainment, Nike, DreamWorks, Walt Disney Imagineering, Netflix, Apple, Ford, WB, Facebook, BMW, Amazon, and Google.
ArtCenter Illustration students have also worked with clients such as Pictures Animation, The New Yorker, Wieden+Kennedy (Tokyo), Marvel Studios, Nike, Los Angeles Times, Adidas, Smithsonian Magazine, and Wildlife Conservation Society.
ArtCenter College of Design serves approximately 2,425 students from more than 50 countries. Founded in 1930, the school has campuses in Pasadena and Los Angeles, California, along with satellite studios in Petersen Automotive Museum (Miracle Mile, Los Angeles) and Berlin, Germany. ArtCenter provides 11 undergraduate programs; 10 graduate degree programs leading to an MFA or MS; a joint MS/MBA program; and undergraduate minors for Business, Creative Writing, and Social Innovation students.
ArtCenter College of Design is fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
California College of the Arts (CCA) houses a cross-disciplinary Illustration BFA that features studio projects and visits; access to state-of-the-art production facilities and labs; a professional practice course that teaches students how to start and run a freelance or small business; lectures; and frequent classroom critiques (individual and group).
With an emphasis on drawing and painting, this 120 credit-hour program also explores emerging animation, AR/VR, storytelling, 3D modeling, imaging technologies, screenprinting, and hand-lettering. All CCA students will complete the First Year Experience (FYE), where they have the opportunity to participate in studio projects, discussion, and group critiques for two semesters.
After completing the FYE, students will begin taking courses to fulfill core, studio, major, and other requirements. All courses are led by professional Illustrators, Designers, and Fine Artists. Course examples include Illustration Studios 1-3; Painting Workshop; Drawing 2D, 3D, 4D; Digital Media; Illustration Tools; Writing 1-2; Media History: History of Illustration; and Professional Practice.
For students looking to enhance the BFA, the program provides the opportunity to minor in Comics or Visual Development. Comics minors are prepared for careers in book and editorial illustration and Visual Development students are prepared for positions such as storyboard artist, character designer, or environment designer for the entertainment industry.
During the last year of the CCA Illustration BFA program, students will complete a semester-long thesis project and participate in the Senior Show. This culminating event attracts local design professionals and artists from across the U.S.
Graduates of the Illustration BFA program at California College of the Arts can pursue careers in areas such as traditional publishing (book illustration, editorial illustration); animation and game design; film and television; advertising and marketing; exhibition design and installations; comics; graphic design; science and medicine (medical and scientific illustration); architecture; retail; and education.
Potential job titles include Illustrator, Storyboard Artist, Concept Artist, Exhibition Designer, Graphic Novelist, Textile Designer, Printmaker, Freelance Illustrator, Muralist, Surface Designer, Fine Artist, and Educator.
California College of the Arts was established in 1907 as the School of the California Guild of Arts and Crafts. When it opened, CCA had just three teachers and 43 students when it opened. Today, the school employs 420 faculty members that serve approximately 1,500 students enrolled in over 40 undergraduate, graduate, minor, and dual degree programs. California College of the Arts is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
Otis College of Art and Design (OTIS) has an Illustration BFA program that prepares students for careers such as storyboard artist, illustrator for animation, children’s book illustrator, motion graphic artist, art director, and muralist. Housed in the Communication Arts Department, the program allows students to focus in one or more areas through more than a dozen minor options. Examples include Digital Media, Product Design, Book Arts, Advertising Design, Printmaking, Community Arts Engagement, and Entrepreneurship.
Other BFA program features include access to state-of-the-art facilities and labs; internship and study abroad opportunities; participation in conventions, field trips, workshops, and student exhibitions; and visiting lecturers and artists.
The Illustration BFA at Otis College of Art and Desing consists of 120 credit hours. Course examples include History of Graphic Design and Illustration; Illustration I-IV; Alternative Materials and Processes for Illustrators; Drawing and Painting I-II; Creative Action Lecture; and Typography for Illustrators.
In the final year of the program, students will complete several upper division studio electives, Entrepreneur 101, and a final project through several seminar and project courses.
Graduates of the Illustration BFA program at OTIS are prepared for careers across industries. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Disney, Apple, Netflix, Mattel, Young & Rubicam LA Weekly, Nike, Sony Music, WB Network, Hurley International, Conde Nast Publications, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Von Dutch, Hallmark, Twentieth Century Fox, GUESS, Ogilvy Worldwide, Target, Quicksilver, and Davis Elen Advertising.
Established in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design is Los Angeles’ oldest professional school of the arts. This private, non-profit college serves more than 1,200 students enrolled in 11 BFA and MFA degree programs in the Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Public Practice, and Writing. A variety of minors and certificate programs are also available. Programs and courses at OTIS are led by more than 430 professors—all active professionals in their respective fields.
Otis College of Art and Design is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). OTIS is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) and the Partnership for Academic Leadership on Sustainability (PALS).
The College of Humanities and the Arts at San Jose State University (SJSU) houses the Department of Design. Within the department are two paths to study Illustration including the Animation & Illustration BFA and the Design Studies BA. Students in both programs benefit from the department’s close relationships with major companies and studios such as Sony Pictures Animation, Cartoon Network, Disney, Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Hallmark, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros. Animation, and Bento Box Entertainment.
Other department benefits include access to state-of-the-art production facilities and labs; workshops, and seminars; guest lecturers and speakers from major studios; the professional internship program; and study abroad experiences.
The Animation and Illustration BFA at SJSU is a professional degree that explores traditional and 3D animation, character design, visual development, modeling, storyboarding, and physics of motion. Upper division courses for the program allow students to specialize in a focused area of interest within the illustration discipline or other area. Electives allow students to further enhance the degree.
Course examples for the program include Light and Optics; 2D Animation; Visual Storytelling; Illustration Fundamentals I-III; Visual Development; and Digital Modeling.
The Animation and Illustration BFA culminates with the Senior Project Animation/Illustration course. Consisting of six credit hours, the project will demonstrate professional competence in area of concentration. Students will present their projects in a gallery exhibition.
Graduates of the Animation & Illustration BFA program at San Jose State University are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as feature film animation, book publishing, television, game design, comics, and advertising.
Design BA students also have opportunities to work on projects in multidisciplinary teams and develop skills in animation, visual development, modeling, storyboarding, and short film production. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in the entertainment industry or for direct entry into the SJSU Animation & Illustration BFA program.
Graduates of the Animation & Illustration programs at San Jose State University have been hired at more than 135 animation, film, and game design studios. They have worked on films such as A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc. Finding Nemo, and Shrek. Program alumni have taught at major colleges and universities, and they work in a variety of positions at places such as Disney Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), the Cogswell Institute, Sony Pictures, Blizzard Entertainment, Pixar, Animation Mentor, Cartoon Network, Lucasfilm Animation, NBCUniversal Studios, Nickelodeon, 20th Century Fox, and Zynga.
San Jose State University was established in 1857. Located in the center of Silicon Valley, SJSU serves approximately 35,800 students enrolled in 250 areas of study at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Programs at SJSU are provided across nine colleges and dozens of departments and schools. San Jose State University is accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
The College of the Arts (COTA) at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is one of the school’s largest and most popular colleges. Home to six separate departments, COTA employs over 250 faculty members that serve more than 3,000 students. Departments include the School of Art (SoA); Film and Electronic Arts; Design; Bob Cole Conservatory of Music; Theatre Arts; and Dance.
The School of Art at California State University, Long Beach received designation as a school in 2012. The school houses state-of-the-art facilities and work spaces, along with seven separate and customizable galleries for displaying, critiquing, and viewing student work. School of Art students also have opportunities to interact with professional working artists, as well as international travel options to support their work.
For students seeking an Illustration degree, COTA SoA has an Art BFA and Studio Art MFA. Both programs have an Illustration option. In partnership with the Department of Biological Sciences, the SoA also houses an interdisciplinary 30-unit Biomedical Illustration Prep Certificate that can be completed in just one year, full-time.
Ideal for students in art and the natural sciences, the certificate can be added to an undergraduate degree program or taken post-graduation. Course examples include Biomedical Illustration; Intermediate Life Drawing; Anatomy for Artists; Illustration 2; Computer Animation; Production for Fine Art; Introduction to Rendering; Foundational Life Drawing; and Special Studies in Illustration.
The Art BFA at California State University, Long Beach consists of 132 units and opportunities to work with peers in other options such as Animation and Pre-Production in the Digital Lab. Course examples for the program include Core Studio: Illustration 1 and 2; Storyboarding for Film and Television;
Introduction Studio: Illustration – Rendering; Advanced Studio: Illustration 3 and 4; Drawing with Perspective; Production for Fine Art; Writing About Visual Art; Experimental Animation; Costumed Figure Drawing; and Illustration Senior Project—the culminating experience for the program.
Other program features include courses taught by industry professionals; participation in workshops led by faculty and visiting artists; opportunities to complete an internship at a local, regional, or national studio; and study abroad experiences in places such as Ireland, Germany, and Spain.
The Studio Art MFA at California State University, Long Beach is an interdisciplinary program that requires 60 units of study. This includes 29 units in the Illustration option. Course examples include Graduate Studies: Illustration; Graduate Studies: Image as Text; and Graduate Studies: Professional Practices for Visual Communication. All graduate Studio Art students will participate in the Final MFA Exhibition.
Graduates of the Art programs at California State University, Long Beach are prepared to pursue positions in fields such as editorial art, comic book publishing, graphic novels, book art, textile design, newspaper publishing, product and toy design, animation, editorial art, games, educational illustration, live action film, advertising, biomedical illustration, and gallery exhibition production.
California State University, Long Beach was established in 1949 as Los Angeles-Orange County State College. One of the 23 campuses of the California State University System, CSULB serves approximately 39,965 students enrolled in more than 300 programs across eight colleges. California State University, Long Beach is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Academy of Art University (Academy of Art) is home to the School of Illustration, which provides programs leading to a certificate, AA, BFA, MA or MFA. Across programs, students will explore traditional and emerging techniques in drawing, storytelling, and composition. All School of Illustration students have access to drawing rooms and workshops; computer labs equipped with digital workstations; new media technology and software; and a live model drawing studio.
Other program features include the option to complete the degree options entirely online; opportunities to collaborate on projects with faculty and peers; collaborations outside of the classroom with professional artists and designers; interactions with guest speakers and lecturers; study abroad experiences in Florence, Italy; and the opportunity to complete a professional internship.
School of Illustration students also have the opportunity to work with WRiTE BRAiN BOOKS, which produces illustrated, textless books designed to help kid’s self-author their own books.
Across programs, students will take courses such as Digital Painting; Process and Illustration; Children’s Book Illustration; Vector Illustration and Motion; Perspective for Characters and Environment; 150 Years of American Illustration; Concept, Technique and Illustration; Concept, Technique and Illustration; The Rendered Figure; Editorial Illustration; Graphic Novel/Comic Book; Digital Media: Digital Manipulation; Character Design for Visual Development (ZBrush); Clothed Figure Drawing; and Chiaroscuro.
The Illustration program at Academy of Art also features projects and coursework that focus on preparing students to enter the job market or launch their own businesses. Examples include Designing Careers; Surface Design and Licensing; Professional Practices for Illustrators; Collaborative Project: The Agency; Blogging: Content Creation & Promotion; Advanced Art Licensing & Portfolio Building; and Portfolio Preparation and Self Promotion.
Graduates of the Illustration programs at Academy of Art University are prepared to pursue roles across industries. Program alumni are Children’s Book Illustrators, Book Cover Artists, Interactive Illustrators, Storyboard Artists, Medical and Scientific Illustrators, Concept Artists, Reportage Illustrators, Comics Artists, and Freelance Illustrators. Examples of companies that have hired Academy of Art Illustration alumni include Marvel Comics, Penguin Publishing Group, Wired, The New York Times, National Geographic, Chronicle Books, and The Atlantic.
Established in 1929, Academy of Art University is a family-owned private university that serves more than 7,000 students enrolled in over 120 degree programs across 40+ areas of study. Programs lead to the AA, BA, BFA, BS, B. Arch, MAT, MA, MFA, and M. Arch degrees.
One of the nation’s largest private, accredited art and design schools, Academy of Art houses 22 schools that emphasize internships, study abroad experiences, participation in clubs, and collaborative, civic, and pro bono projects. Academy of Art University is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
California State University Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is home to the College of the Arts, which houses the Department of Visual Arts. Within the department is an Art program with BFA, MA, and MFA options. Students in all programs have the option to add the Illustration studio concentration. Consisting of a combination of electives and required courses, the studio concentration prepares students for advanced roles in Illustration.
Across programs, students have access to courses such as Special Studies in Sequential Art; Digital Narrative Illustration; Writing in the Visual Arts; Computer Assisted Graphics; 3D Rigging and animation; Visual Development and Background Painting; Children’s Book Illustration; 3D Environment Modeling; Animal and Wildlife Drawing; Landscape Painting and Location Drawing; Special Studies: Artists’ Books and Art; Lighting and Look Development; The Digital Studio; Animation Production; 3D Team Production; Cartooning and Caricature; Video Art and Moving Image; and Entertainment Graphics.
All degree options feature workshops and seminars; unlimited access to state-of-the-art production studios, labs, and equipment; interactions with visiting artists; study abroad experiences; and internship opportunities with companies in California, and across the U.S.
The Art BFA at Cal State Fullerton requires 132 units to graduate. This includes 30 units in the Illustration studio concentration. The program culminates with the BFA Capstone Project, which may include works in animation, games, VR, visual effects, exhibitions, and others.
The MA program consists of 30 units, including 12 in the Illustration studio concentration. Students will complete a project and thesis (P/T) to graduate. The MA P/T consists of the development and presentation of a creative project in the concentration beyond the required coursework.
The CSUF MFA requires 60 units to graduate, including 24 units in the Illustration studio concentration. The program culminates with a solo Art Exhibit (MFA Project Exhibition).
Graduates of the Art BFA, MA, and MFA programs at Cal State Fullerton have worked with or been hired by major companies and studios such as DreamWorks, The Walt Disney Company, Lucasfilm, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon.
Founded in 1957, California State University, Fullerton is part of the 23 campus California State University (CSU) system. Serving more than 41,000 students, CSUF provides 110 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across eight academic colleges. California State University, Fullerton is Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) at Willamette University has an Illustration BFA program that explores traditional studio media and emerging technologies. During the first year of the program, all students will complete liberal arts, art history, and foundation studio courses, as well as one studio elective and First Year Seminar. In the second and third years, students will complete courses such as Digital Media Strategies; Painting for Illustration; Design & Image; Drawing for Illustration; and Cultural Masterpiece.
Other program features include access to state-of-the-art labs and studios such as the WACOM Lab, the Professional Digital Fine Art Printing Lab, Animation Lab, Printmaking Studio, and Photography Lab; internships with companies such as Nintendo, Microsoft, Nike, Dark Horse Comics, and Wieden+Kennedy; and access to Make+Think+Code, a technology lab that hosts workshops, classes, and additional facilities, digital tools, and technology.
All PNCA BFA students also benefit from mentorship programs; access to Albert Solheim Library, which houses more than 30,000 books and computer workstations; professional practices instruction; and portfolio preparation.
In the senior year of the Illustration BFA program at Willamette University/PNCA students will complete Illustration Advanced Studio I-II; Research for Creative Practice; and a thesis. Upon completion of the program, students will have the opportunity to present their work at PNCA’s Annual End-of-Year Showcase at a downtown Portland gallery.
Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as Digital Illustrator, Children’s Book Illustrator, Comic Book Illustrator, Graphic Novelist, Storyboard Sketch Artist, Product Illustrator, Signage Developer, Game Artist, Logo Designer, Character Artist, Editorial Illustrator, Textile Designer, Architectural Illustrator, and Set Designer.
PNCA Illustration BFA alumni have worked with DC Comics, Disney, Google, The MET, The New Yorker, LA Times, NBC, The Washington Post, NPR, Crate and Barrel, the Portland Trailblazers, OLIPOP, Liquid Development, SuperGenius, and Dark Horse, among others.
Willamette University was established in 1842, making it the oldest university in the West. This liberal arts college serves approximately 1,870 students enrolled in dozens of programs across the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Law, Pacific Northwest College of Art, and the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. Willamette University and PNCA merged in 2021.
PNCA, which remains an independent college within Willamette, was established in 1909. Serving around 650 students, the school provides 11 BFA degrees, 10, eight graduate degrees within the PNCA Hallie Ford School of Graduate Studies, and one post-baccalaureate program.
Willamette University and Pacific Northwest College of Art are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). PNCA is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD) and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).
Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) has several paths to study Illustration. Options include a BFA in Illustration; a Drawing and Painting BFA with an Illustration emphasis; and a BFA in Graphic Design and Digital Media (GD+DM) with an Illustration emphasis. An Illustration minor is also available. This program requires 15 credit hours including Computer Imaging; Rendering; Illustration 1: Color; Illustration 2; and Graphic Illustration 1. Illustration minor students will complete several pieces for their professional portfolios.
All programs are led by industry professionals who have worked with major companies, studios, and brands such as Warner Bros., Sony, IBM, Pfizer, McDonald’s, Mitsubishi, Dannon, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), and The United Nations. Other program features include hands-on design projects with LCAD partners such as Nike, Sony, and UCI; small class sizes; guest speakers; mentorship programs; and internship opportunities.
Students in the LCAD Illustration BFA program will take courses such as Pictorial Design for Illustration; Artistic Anatomy; Illustration 1-3; Graphic Novel; Words, Images, and Ideas; Digital Painting for Illustration; Computer Imaging; Illustrative Painting; Digital landscape Painting; and Professional Studies for Illustrators. The program culminates with the Senior Capstone and Thesis Defense course worth three credits.
Graduates are prepared for careers in book and comic book publishing; film, television, and animation; game art and design; product design; advertising and marketing; gallery art; newspaper and magazine publishing, architecture; medical and scientific illustration; and industrial design.
LCAD Illustration alumni have been hired at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Marvel Entertainment, Disney Interactive, Google, Microsoft Studios, Blizzard Entertainment, Obsidian Entertainment, Hurley, Opera New York, Quicksilver, KCET, Xist Publishing, High Moon Studios, and DC Shoes.
Housed in the Fine Arts Department, the Drawing and Painting BFA program at Laguna College of Art and Design focuses on experimentation. All students benefit from industry partnerships with Laguna Art Museum, South Park Studios, and MEAM Museo Europeo de Arte Moderno, as well as internship opportunities in the third year of the program. In the final year of the program, students are assigned to private studios and a mentor.
Students in the Drawing and Painting BFA program will take courses such as Experimental Drawing; Digital Photo for Fine Arts; Materials and Techniques; Intermediate Portraiture; and Scientific Anatomy. The Illustration emphasis explores traditional and mixed media art. Students will work on projects that focus on print, branding, murals, exhibition design, and more. In the Professional Practices course, students will learn about gallery operations, publications, and artist branding.
The Drawing and Painting BFA at LCAD culminates with the Senior Capstone and Thesis Defense course worth three credits.
The Graphic Design and Digital Media BFA at Laguna College of Art and Design is a multidisciplinary, 122 credit-hour program that explores traditional and emerging areas such as 3D, iPad development, package design, advertising, print, video, user experience and interfaces, action sport design, mobile apps, the web, virtual reality applications, and motion.
The Illustration emphasis for this program provides access to all Illustration courses, allowing students to select them as electives to match their goals. Students also have opportunities to work with industry partners such as Pixar, Nike, Saatchi & Saatchi, and SapientNitro; complete an internship; and develop a professional portfolio. The program culminates with a Senior Capstone and Thesis Defense.
Nearly 100% of recent Graphic Design and Digital Media graduates work in their chosen field, with most securing employment through LCAD prior to graduation. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Amazon, MGM, Google, Sony, Fox Entertainment, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, Disney Imagineering, Cartoon Network, Apple, Tesla, Saatchi & Saatchi, Riot Games, Disney Interactive, and Mattel.
Laguna College of Art and Design opened in 1961 as Laguna Beach School of Art (LBSA). The school has a main campus in Laguna Beach and educational affiliates locally and around the world including Florence Academy of Arts in Florence, Italy, Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, and NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences (NHTV), Netherlands. Laguna College of Art and Design serves around 770 students with access to 15 degree options and nine minors. LCAD is regionally and nationally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is home to the Department of Art. Within the department are several paths to study Illustration. At the undergraduate level, students can earn an Art BA. Graduate students can enroll in the MA or MFA in Visual Arts. All paths provide the opportunity to specialize in Illustration.
Across programs, students benefit from club events and guest speakers; opportunities to study abroad in places such as the UK, Spain, France, Italy, and Japan; internships at local and nationwide studios and galleries; portfolio reviews; and the opportunity to join student organizations such as the CSUN Illustration Society and IntersectLA (IXLA). In addition, all programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
The Art BA at California State University, Northridge combines Art and Design coursework with Liberal Arts studies. Course examples include Illustration I-III; Beginning Three-Dimensional Design; Digital Illustration; Design for Entertainment Advertising; History of Contemporary Art; Illustration Materials and Techniques; World Arts: Asia; Core Art Studio; and Drawing. The program culminates with the Senior Projects and Lab course.
The Visual Arts MA at California State University, Northridge is a 30-unit program that can be completed in one to two years. Course examples include Studio Problems: Illustration; Advanced Studio Problems: Illustration; Art Analysis and Criticism; Advanced Studio Problems: Graphic Design; Advanced Studio Problems: Video/Digital Art; and History and Philosophy of Art.
The Visual Arts MA Program culminates with the Graduate Project, which consists of the Spring Group Exhibition and/or Performance of the students work.
The CSUN Visual Arts MFA is the highest degree awarded in the field. Consisting of 60 units of study, the program can be completed in two or three years depending on the student’s course load. All MFA students have access to private, on-campus studios, and the opportunity to specialize in one to three areas. Course examples for the program include MFA Seminar; Art Analysis and Criticism; Studio Advanced Studio Problems: Illustration; Studio Problems: Drawing; Advanced Studio Problems: Video/Digital Art; Advanced Studio problems: Graphic Design; and Graduate Directed Research.
The Visual Arts MFA program culminates with the Graduate Project, which consists of the Spring Group Exhibition and/or Performance of the students work.
Graduates of the Art and Visual Arts programs at California State University, Northridge are prepared to pursue careers across industries. CSUN alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney, MGM Studios, Amazon, Universal Pictures, Kaiser Permanente, Google, Paramount, NBC, Apple, Bank of America, Northrup Grumman, Microsoft, Netflix, Warner Bros., Fox Sports, Amgen, and Capitol Latin.
California State University, Northridge dates back to the fall of 1956 when it established as the San Fernando Valley campus of the Los Angeles State College of Applied Arts and Sciences. Serving more than 36,000 students, today, CSUN is one of top five largest institutions in the 23-campus California State University System and one of the largest universities in the nation.
CSUN provides more than 250 majors and degree programs across nine colleges. California State University, Northridge is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
