Art Degrees Online

Illustration is the melting pot of the visual arts. In the last 20 years, the lines between illustration, graphic design, and fine art have blurred significantly. New media, expanded applications, and a more sophisticated popular culture make this a very exciting field.

Students majoring in illustration at AAC have many opportunities to incorporate design, digital media, painting, print media, drawing, 3-D arts, and/ or photography, creating a body of work that reflects their personal vision. AAC’s program requires a rigorous studio thesis and professional-practice experience both inside and outside the classroom. Students who graduate with a major in illustration can compete for work in such industries as book and magazine publishing, video games, packaging, corporate branding, retail merchandising, motion graphics, advertising, social advocacy, and entertainment.

While MCAD’s commitment to cutting-edge technology makes us a hotspot for 3D animation (think Pixar or video games), we’re also one of the few places where students can still learn hand-drawn techniques. Not because we’re nostalgic for those old Disney movies, but because we think offering a background in all forms of animation makes you a stronger animator. You’ll learn to animate in traditional 2D, computer-generated 3D and stop-motion (e.g. claymation), then pick the track that suits you best.