What is better than entering a career path for something that you are passionate about? The answer is nothing! With the generational rise in mixed media it is now more important than ever to share your unique illustrations with the rest of the world. Create stories and your own voice through different mediums and realize that anything you want is truly possible. With committing to a major with extremely diverse career opportunities, there is no doubt that you will find the right job for yourself post graduation.
The hunt for the right college can be stressful but luckily we’re here to help you on your educational journey. Choosing the right college can make an impact in the career opportunities you receive in the future so it is important to pick the right one that best suits your needs. In this article we will be discussing the colleges with the best programs for illustration as well as:
- What is Illustration
- Job Opportunities For Illustration
What is Illustration?
Not everyone has a knack for art so if this is your niche, give yourself a pat on the back! As an illustration major you will have the ability to learn from professors that have had prior experience within the industry and even get inspired by your fellow peers. In this major you are truly given the tools that you need in order to create new ideas to your heart's desire. As an illustration major you will be expected to draw and paint original illustrations and present them to those around you. Illustration is often correlated with only drawing characters, however, this is not the case. Nearly every form of media relies on illustration from fine art pieces to pictures in magazines and books.
Conversely, not all illustration is done in physical format. As we continue to live in an age heavily centered around technology, digital illustration has also gained extreme popularity. This often includes individuals using design software such as Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Typically done on a computer or tablet device, you can truly live your best life and complete your homework in an environment that inspires you the most! Having these skills not only looks really good on a resume but it can also be a helpful tool in your day to day life as well!
As an illustration major you will:
- Design visual stories
- Develop your art skills and techniques
- Learn to work and collaborate in groups
- Gain access to insightful mentoring
Job Opportunities For Illustration
But what jobs can you get with an illustration degree? The great part is you can virtually enter any field that you find interesting and insightful! Some of the most common jobs that those who obtain an illusion degree go into, post-graduation, include:
- Publishing
- Advertisement and marketing
- Entertainment/media
- Fashion design
- Product design
With new advancements in technology such as Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality now more than ever illustration is at its peak due to its ability to improve these mediums and expand beyond what we believe is possible! With top earners making around $76,000 annually and with the opportunity to also freelance on the side, illustration is definitely a career to seek out.
Best Colleges For Illustration
Now that we have learned of all the benefits of becoming an illustration major, it’s time to discuss the best education options for those seeking a degree!
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Located in Providence Rhode Island, RISD offers one of the most well known art programs around. At this college students will have the ability to enter a program that highly values concept development as well as sharpening technical skills. The beauty of an art school is that the student body includes a wide array of creative individuals who can inspire and even guide you in your craft! You can also learn from the scenic environment that surrounds you and explore new places that can help your imagination come to life.
Rhode Island School of Design offers the following programs for illustration:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Illustration
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Illustration
Some of their concentrations include:
- Narrative Illustration
- Character Design
- Digital Illustration
With the amount of concentrations available, there is surely something for every single student at this college. RISD also offers dual degree programs that can allow for students to truly make their education their own and study the subjects that they find the most interesting. With annual tuition rates starting at $55,000 and an acceptance rate of 17% RISD can appear like a competitive school. However, financial aid and scholarships are also available based on student need so don’t limit yourself and apply!
California College of the Arts (CCA)
Located in Oakland, California the California College of the Arts is similar to RISD in the way that its illustration programs encourage student collaboration and hands-on learning. CCA enjoys exposing students to as many forms of media as possible and truly allows them to be their own teacher in the sense that they are given a lot of creative freedom when it comes to the work that they wish to design. In a city that is as busy and populated as San Francisco, networking here is a breeze. Networking not only allows for students to expand their social skills but allows them to be exposed to job and internship opportunities that can have a valuable impact on their future.
California College of the Arts offers the following illustration programs:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Comics
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Illustration
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Comics
CCA also offers the following certification programs that can also be helpful to those who are looking to simply expand on their prior skills and knowledge:
- Illustration Basics
- Illustration Advance Techniques
CCA also offers workshops:
- Drawing Fundamentals
- Digital Illustration
- Professional Practice (assists students in building clientele, finding their place in the industry, and building a portfolio)
With the amount of options available CCA can truly help students jump start their career in a highly effective way. With the annual tuition cost ranging from $57,000 to $67,000 per year and an acceptance rate of 75% the chances of getting into CCA are extremely high!
Pratt Institute
Located in Brooklyn, New York and often regarded as the hub of creativity, there couldn’t be a list of illustration colleges without listing at least one school from New York. Pratt Institute is known for excelling in all things that are creative and insightful. From fashion to art, there is nothing that Pratt cannot offer. When it comes to illustration, they encourage studio practice for students which allows them to build their own professional portfolio that they can use post graduation. In the process, students develop their own unique art styles and voices. Pratt also offers a wide variety of specialized courses that ensure that students are capable of taking care of any task that comes their way.
Pratt offers the following illustration programs:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Illustration
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Illustration
Pratt also offers a variety of online courses and summer programs that allow students to continue their education in a way that is very flexible and unique to their schedules. Pratt also has a wide variety of art studios, exhibition rooms, and digital labs that they allow students to access and use. With an annual tuition cost of $60,000 to $64,000 and an acceptance rate of around 48% Pratt institute is a great option that is definitely worth looking into.
Honorable Mentions
While the above schools are considered some of the best there are many more colleges to explore and choose from.
This includes:
- School of Visual Arts (SVA), New York City
- Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Georgia
- The Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), Chicago
Make your college choice based on which location and programs best suit your needs!
Why does this matter?
No matter who you are, you should be proud of your desire to pursue higher education and advance yourself academically. It is no small accomplishment and you are among the 62% of people who choose to pursue college after graduation. No matter where you choose to attend there is no doubt that you won’t be surprised at the work you will create and the goals you will meet. Not only is the education aspect of college important, but it also opens up a lot of doors that can allow for you to advance socially and explore the world around you.
Any college that you decide to attend will allow you to do what you love creativity and there is truly nothing better than that! If you are interested in other majors, there are always resources available that can help you find other options that may pique your interest!
