University of Hartford (UHart) traces its roots back to 1877, when one of the three founding schools, the Hartford Art School, opened. It was initially called the Hartford School for Decorative Arts. Today, University of Hartford (chartered in 1957) offers 100 degree programs in the arts, humanities, business, engineering and technology, education, and health professions. The school serves close to 6,800 students from 48 states and 48 countries around the world.
UHart has two program options for aspiring illustrators: a BFA and MFA in Illustration. Offered through Hartford Art School (HAS), which serves around 310 students, the BFA curriculum is designed to introduce students to the techniques and processes used by illustrators. After the foundation year, the program guides students through a series of independent studios and illustration intensives focused on editorial, advertising, and book work, using both digital and traditional methods.
The program covers the three primary markets for illustrators: advertising illustration, book illustration, and editorial illustration. Course highlights include Digital Illustration, Drawing for Illustration, Illustration I-III (Oil, Acrylic, and Watercolor), Advertising, Editorial, and Book.
Sophomore and Junior Reviews are part of the program and students will complete a portfolio and a senior project. In the portfolio preparation course, students learn to prepare their work for professional presentation. “Considerable emphasis is placed on the development of personal style and direction throughout the program,” says the school.
The MFA In Illustration is a low-residency program designed for working adults. Also offered through HAS, the MFA combines “intensive, on-campus sessions” in the summer with travel during spring and fall. Fall and spring semesters take place off-campus in places such as Dallas, San Francisco, Pasadena, New York City and other destinations.
Other program highlights include guest speakers, museum visits, and studio visits to places such as Communication Arts Magazine, Electronic Arts Entertainment, Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks Animation Studios, Lucasfilm, Nickelodeon Studios, and the Society of Illustrators.