Become a Graphic Designer in Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is a picture book city, with mountains, beaches, and a lively culture. Nestled in this beautiful locale is Brooks Institute, which offers leading education in photography, graphic design, film and video production, and visual journalism.
Any important decision is accompanied by important questions, and attending graphic design school is no different. How much will it cost? How long does it take? Get the information you need, and the answers you're looking for.
Below is some basic information about the Brooks Institute'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.
Brooks Institute - Santa Barbara
801 Alston Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
About the Brooks Institute - Santa Barbara
Each of the programs offered by Brooks Institute is student-focused and hands-on. Students at Brooks learn by doing, not just by listening and watching. Even the location is ideal for this purpose – with the beautiful backdrop of Santa Barbara and its proximity to larger cities, like Los Angeles, students get to work in a vibrant and thriving community where the skills they learn can be put to use.
Graduates of Brooks Institute’s film and video production are well known and respected throughout the entertainment community. These illustrious alumni include Robert Legato, who won an Academy Award for Best Effects (Digital Domain) for the movie Titanic. The visual journalism and graphic design programs focus on using the most innovative and modern tools so students are well prepared to take on these challenging careers.
Graphic Design Program
Brooks Institute is committed to giving students an advantage when entering the ultra-competitive world of Graphic Design. Students can take the accelerated bachelor’s degree program, which can be completed in about three years. It is comprised of six eight-week terms, in which students usually pair one core design class with a general education course.
Students learn design skills, typography, sign and symbol design, publication design, identity systems design, digital animation, digital imaging, presentation design, multimedia production, web development, and more. In addition, students can choose from specialized classes, like Animation, Visualization II, Identity Systems Design, and Computers in Design, to further their skills and knowledge. Brooks Institute is designed with the creative, ambitious, and intelligent student in mind – they’ll find challenges and rewards on their career path at Brooks Institute.
Licensing and Accreditation
Brooks Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
Faculty and Facilities
Not only are the faculty members at Brooks Institute superior and passionate teachers, they are leading experts in their fields. This professionalism gives students better insight into the careers they will be pursuing. According to the Brooks Institute website: “They know their stuff and they know how to teach it.”
Befitting a school that focuses on visual arts and effects, the campus of Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara is beautiful. The campus is spread over a five mile radius and offers students over thirty studios and six digital labs. The campus has over a million dollars in equipment for student use, which makes it one of the best facilities of its kind in the world.
The environment at Brooks gives students a taste of the professional world they will soon be entering. While there is no campus housing, Brooks works with an independent housing agency, which offers students apartment style living close to campus.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to qualified students. Applicants will need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Brooks Institute’s financial aid experts are happy to speak to students about specific needs. Federal grants and loans, as well as private loans, work study, and more are available.
Going to College in Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is consistently ranked as one of the most desirable places to live. It is often called the “American Riviera” because of the mild Mediterranean climate. Santa Barbara has an abundance of riches for its residents and visitors, including museums, parks, cultural events, beaches, historical sites, educational opportunities, and more.
Perhaps the most important aspect for people looking for quality work is Santa Barbara’s strong economy. Santa Barbara isn’t content to rest on its accomplishments and beauties, though. The city has started work on an initiative to make all new construction green – or climate neutral – by 2030. This will provide new opportunities for job seekers, including interesting jobs for graphic design graduates. Santa Barbara is changing, and the Brooks Institute is keeping up with that change, preparing students to jump right in and get to work.
More Information
If you are interested in this program and would like to find out more, please request information from Brooks Institute - Santa Barbara, California.

