Become a Graphic Designer in San Francisco, California
From the Golden Gate Bridge, to the famous Alcatraz Prison, San Francisco is a truly breathtaking city. It is also home to the Academy of Art University, a great place to begin your career in graphic design.
If you have been thinking about attending graphic design school, you are most likely asking yourself questions like how much is it going to cost, how long will it take to graduate, how & where do I apply and is financial aid available?
Below is some basic information about the Academy of Art University's graphic design program. To see if this school is the right fit for you, click on the “Request More School Info” button, fill out the short questionnaire and a representative from the school will contact you to answer any additional questions about the school, costs, financial aid and how to apply.
Academy of Art University - San Francisco
79 New Montgomery St
San Francisco, CA 94105
About The academy of Art University - San Francisco
The Academy of Art University is the largest private school of art and design in the United States, with ten thousand students. Offering Associates, Bachelors, and Masters of Fine Arts degrees, Masters of Architecture, or professional certificates, the Academy of Art University is a great learning experience for students.
The Academy’s philosophy is simple: to get the best students, they hire the best professionals. Students learn in the midst of San Francisco in state-of-the-art facilities. If you want a career in the design field, the Academy will help you succeed.
The two most important words for graphic design majors at the Academy of Art University are real and world. These students learn their craft by working the way professionals do. Typography, print and editorial design, branding and identity, packaging, production, and presentation skills are developed. Future graphic designers explore all areas of their profession: form and content, technical and material command, creative and aesthetic thinking, and design theories.
Graphic Design Program
By the end of the graphic design Bachelor’s program, students will complete a professional portfolio, know how to evaluate work, and speak articulately on their chosen field. Successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree requires completion of 132 credits.
The Academy of Art University’s Master’s program expands even further into the graphic design industry: students achieve mastery of strategic thinking, creative problem solving, ability to develop unique design concepts, and presentation skills. While
continuing to perfect technical skills required for success in graphic design jobs, Master’s students work collaboratively, solve problems in innovative ways, learn to engage the target audience, and more.
Students will demonstrate their advanced graphic design skills with a senior thesis project. Concept through production, students will create an original product to be reviewed by the graduate final review committee. Their work will then be displayed publicly. This is an excellent opportunity for students to make a name for themselves and become recognized in their field.
Master’s degrees require 63 credits to be completed.
The Academy offers Associates, Bachelors, and Masters Degree programs online as well. Like the students on the traditional campus, online graphic design students will focus on concept development, strategic and creative thinking, technical skills, and overall presentation skills. Typography, print mediums, packaging, branding and identity, web design, and motion graphics are covered.
Animation and Visual Effects
The Academy’s policy of hiring professional certainly applies to the Animation and Visual Effects faculty. Professional animators instruct students in all aspects of the industry. From creating characters from sketches to designing video games that thrill, these students receive the best hands-on education in the field.
The Academy of Art University offers both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Animation and Visual Effects on campus and online. Students focus on a specialty within the animation industry: Visual Effects, Games, 3D Modeling, Character Animation, Storyboarding, Visual Development, or 2D Layout and Background Painting. Learning outcomes for this major are the ability to create and develop stories, drawing skills, and professional communication. Students become proficient in compositing, storyboarding, layout, and the ability to work with animation, video game design, and creating models.
The Bachelor’s degree requires completion of 132 credits. The MFA program builds on this foundation and focuses on storytelling, technical skill, and emotional response. Students are required to complete a senior project which demonstrates all the skills and knowledge they have developed. Each student’s final project is reviewed by professionals for consideration in film festivals and exhibitions. Again, the Academy provides students with an opportunity to do real work and introduce themselves to the animation and visual effects world. Master’s degrees require 63 credits to be completed.
Computer Arts: New Media
The world of digital media changes rapidly, and the Academy keeps students up-to-date so they won’t miss a step. New media designers create original content and design and produce practical communications. The Academy’s program features in-depth study of typography, digital video and audio, visual design and communications, web and interactive design, art direction for digital media, and motion graphics.
The Academy’s goal is to prepare Bachelor’s students for employment in this fast-paced industry by providing a thorough education in digital art and design. The Bachelor’s degree in New Media requires 132 credits for completion. The Masters program builds on this expertise with a continuing focus on concept building and communication skills. The Master’s degree requires completion of 63 credits. Students have access to the latest tools in new media. A senior thesis project culminates the knowledge and experience students have achieved.
“The program promotes final thesis project ideas that aesthetically and innovatively propel technology with intent. The potential to improve the world we live in, and for the people who live in it, through technology, enlightens our graduate students with a new sense of responsibility.” Not only do students talk about how they’re going to change the world, they do it. This is an important and growing field, and Academy students are prepared to meet its ever-changing challenges.
Licensing and Accreditation
The Academy of Art University is accredited by the Senior Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
The Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education of the State of California accredited the Academy to grant Associates, Bachelors, and Masters of Fine Arts degrees, as well as professional certifications.
The Academy also received accreditation from The Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design for their online programs.
Faculty and Facilities
The Academy of Art University’s campus is spread throughout downtown San Francisco. The graphic arts building is centrally located and occupies an entire floor of the building. There are eleven classrooms, two work storage rooms, a spray mount room, computers, and an overhead projection system.
The animation and visual effects department offers students labs filled with all the tools of their trade, video labs, computer classrooms, green screen studio, sound booth, game room, game classroom, and a student self-service digitize and playback area.
The students in the school of computer arts: new media program have access to the latest hardware and software.
Housing is available. Students can live in dorms or apartments, with easy and close access to transportation, culture, restaurants, and shopping.
Financial Aid
The Academy of Art University participates in federal and state financial aid programs. Students can complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for grants and loans. Financial aid representatives are happy to work with students to finance their college education, from helping with forms to helping find outside scholarships.
Going to College in San Francisco, California
San Francisco offers its residents a high standard of living and its visitors a vast array of options. With mild year-round weather and bustling economy make this an ideal city for students to pursue their career goals. There is a wealth of museums, cultural events and diversity, and history. From the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz, San Francisco is a unique and exciting city.
The 4th most populous city in California, San Francisco is also the 14th most populous city in the United States, with a 2006 estimated population of 744,041. San Francisco is part of the much larger San Francisco Bay Area, which is home to approximately 7.2 million people. The city is located on the tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, with the Golden Gate Bridge to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the San Francisco Bay to the east.
A city with a history dating back to 1776 when it was settled by the Spanish, San Francisco has been home to some major events in United States history, such as the Gold Rush of 1848, and the 1906 fire and earthquake, which devastated the city.
Citizens take their reputation for eco-friendly living seriously. There are extensive bike trails, and 40,000 people commute to work by bicycle regularly. Being a leader in green industry indicates San Francisco’s ability to meet new world challenges and adapt to the future. This is good news for students in the ever-changing digital design fields.
More Information
If you are interested in this program and would like to find out more, please request information from The Academy of Art University - San Francisco, California.
San Francisco, CA Graphic Design School Academy of Art University