Master of Fine Arts in Illustration with Emphasis in Comics

at Academy of Art University USA

With its focused thesis development process, the School of Graphic Design’s MFA program emphasizes advanced study of the field and encourages students to extend their design skills into content creation, authorship, entrepreneurialism, and social innovation.

The School of Fashion offers four MA degree programs. They are Design, Costume Design, Fashion Journalism, and Fashion Merchandising. The MA in Fashion and the MA in Fashion Design Emphasis degrees offer courses that include a wide range of design areas including textiles and knitwear. Studio courses hone the graduate candidate's mastery of fashion industry standards in design and construction, enhancing design excellence with computer skills, and preparing MA candidates to launch themselves into the industry upon graduating.

The MFA Game Development program allows students to further their careers by synthesizing traditional art and design fundamentals with today’s groundbreaking technologies. Students level up their skill through hands-on prototyping of game mechanics and art creation, followed by creating a thesis project and an industry-quality portfolio.

The M.A. in Web Design and New Media provides professional study for students pursuing a career in web design and new media. Progress is measured through a rigorous process to achieve a final project portfolio.

The BFA degree builds on the core curriculum of fundamental principles by emphasizing the aesthetic and conceptual skills necessary for a professional portfolio. After completing the core curriculum, students choose to focus on commercial or editorial, fine art, or documentary courses. Upon graduation, students will be required to demonstrate an individual style and a unique approach to their chosen area of study.

Visual Merchandising is the physical method of promoting product and services to the customer for the purpose of increasing sales.  Visual merchandisers actively engage in developing floor plans, window displays, in-store presentations, store lighting and graphics.  Visual merchandisers work collaboratively with retailers to ensure that retail space is best utilized to maximize sales.  The Bachelor in Fine Arts degree will give students training in technical and conceptual skills to plan, design and manage visual merchandising and brand presentations for various fashion businesses.  Students will develop their ability to design and install in-store presentations, merchandising and displays, and to execute visual projects from concept to delivery to support companies’ goals and sales.  They will enter the field with an industry-ready portfolio that demonstrates proficiency in color and design, material selection and manipulations, concept development and execution, excellent oral and visual presentation skills, collaboration and current software applications.

The Fashion Marketing BFA includes both creative and analytical aspects of the fashion industry. It provides insights on global customers and marketplace, marketing and business trends in fashion industry. Students will learn various marketing and promotion techniques to develop, manage and promote brands, products and fashion businesses through a range of hands on projects that address dynamic fashion industry and understanding of consumer.

The Master of Arts program offers an introduction to landscape architecture. Coursework emphasizes the essential factors involved in the creation of outdoor spaces. This program is appropriate for students who want to learn about the profession but are not interested in practicing as a landscape architect in the future.

Graduate programs in the School of Fashion refine and focus your individual artistic vision with degree options in Design, Knitwear Design, Textile Design, Costume Design, Footwear & Accessory Design, Fashion Product Development, Fashion Merchandising & Management, and Fashion Marketing & Brand Management. Studio courses hone your knowledge of industry standards, combining design excellence with the mastery of the latest digital tools. Graduate candidates are guided through Directed Study which culminates in the production of a final collection, portfolio, or project.

The School of Animation & Visual Effects BFA program provides students with the skills necessary to master today’s digital technology.

3D Modeling
The 3D Modeling BFA prepares students for modeling characters and creatures, as well as accessories like armor, weapons, etc. Students will learn to create textures using various modeling and texturing tools  to set new standards for artistic excellence. 3D modelers will learn composition, style, lighting, silhouette, prop modeling, prop placement, color, texture, and shader effects.