Academy of Art University's 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. Learn more.
What are the top illustration schools in Colorado for 2022?
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design | Denver |
| 2 | University of Colorado-Denver | Denver |
Our 2022 ranking of the top illustration schools in Colorado. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
1. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Denver, Colorado
The Illustration Program at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) has Illustration and Illustrative Design options leading to a BFA. The Illustration BFA Program has Concentrations in Children’s Books and Sequential Art. An Emphasis in Concept Art is also available. BFA Program features include small class sizes, access to state-of-the-art facilities and software, collaboration with professional Illustrators, focused one-on-one instruction, and self-promotion and portfolio development courses.
Graduates of the RMCAD Illustration BFA Program are prepared for careers in Editorial Illustration, Comic Books and Graphic Novels, Concept Art for Games & Animations, Product Design & Licensing, Children’s Book Illustration, and even Technical & Medical Illustration.
Illustrative Design BFA explores storytelling, communication design problems, sustainable practice, design, typography, digital media, and portfolio development. Students in this program enjoy small class sizes, hands-on training, a combination of both online and on-campus coursework, personalized instruction, and portfolio development. Classroom tools include Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and After Effects.
Graduates of RMCAD’s Illustrative Design BFA Program are prepared positions such as Illustrator, Art Director, Package Designer, Graphic Designer, Motion Designer, Typographer, and Creative Director.
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). The school is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Launched in 1963 as Rocky Mountain School of Art, RMCAD serves more than 1,000 students enrolled in more than a dozen degree and certificate programs.
2. University of Colorado-Denver, Denver, Colorado
Illustration at the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) is offered as a BFA and a Minor. The Illustration Minor requires 18 credit hours including 12 credits of required courses and six elective credits. Course examples for this program include Drawing I, Two Dimensional Design, Illustration I: Image Making, and Digital Painting.
Housed in the College of Arts & Media and delivered on-campus only, the BFA Program explores conceptual illustration, digital illustration, painting, exhibition preparation, rendering, perspective, professional practices, and a variety of artistic and illustration techniques. Coursework allows students to master digital tools such as Adobe software.
Other program features include access to state-of-the art digital labs, industrial equipment, and sculpture studios, and opportunities to work on projects for the Denver Art Museum, art galleries and studios such as Pixar.
Course examples for the BFA Program include Illustration I; Image Making, Illustration II: Digital Media, Illustration III: Investigative Methods, Illustration IV: Thesis Development, Digital Painting, The Graphic Novel Workshop, Painting, Drawing and the Printed Image, and The Business of Art. The Illustration BFA Program culminates with the Illustration BFA Thesis course worth three credits.
Graduates of the at Illustration BFA Program at CU Denver are prepared to pursue positions in advertising, publishing, animation and games, engineering, illustration/medical/scientific, graphic design, entertainment film and television, healthcare, and marketing, among others.
University of Colorado Denver began in 1912 as an extension of the University of Colorado Boulder. The school became CU Denver in 1973 making it an independent campus. Organized into eight colleges and schools, CU Denver serves a population of 15,000 students enrolled in more than 110 academic degrees. University of Colorado Denver is accredited by Higher Learning Commission (HLC).