Academy of Art University helps open students eyes and give them the vision and skills necessary to create stunning and inspiring art and design.



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One of the Top Art Schools in the Nation
Academy of Art University is the largest accredited private art and design school. Located in the heart of San Francisco, where art, business and technology intersect, it is one of the foremost artistic institutions in the world. Academy students benefit from learning in a city that is the vanguard of the digital revolution. Pixar, LucasFilms, Industrial Light and Magic and the Silicon Valley are minutes away from campus.

Academy instructors are professionals, all knowledgeable of the trends within the industry. They will help students navigate the industry by ensuring students versatility to move between pencil and mouse. Every school at the Academy has same technology and equipment being used in the industry today. And each year, the Academy makes major purchases in every department to keep up with current industry standards.

Degrees and Programs Offered:
Academy of Art University also offers AA, BFA, BA, MFA, MA, M.Arch, Pre-College Programs, Continuing Art Education and Certificate Programs in 14 areas of art and design.


Study Online or in San Francisco

Advertising (Account Planning, Art Direction, Copywriting)

Animation&Visual Effects (2D Animation, 3D Modeling, Background Painting, Games, Visual Effects (VFX)/Compositing, Character Animation, Visual Development)


Architecture San Francisco only (Green Design, Residential Architecture, Commercial Architecture)

Computer Arts: New Media (Web and Interactive Design and Production, Art Direction for Digital Media, Motion Graphic Design, Digital Video)

Digital Arts&Communications (Computer coding and scripting, Web Usability and User Interface (UI) Design, Icon Design, Prototyping)

Fashion (Design, Fashion Journalism, Knitwear, Menswear, Merchandising, Textile, Visual Merchandising)

Fine Art (Painting & Drawing, Sculpture, Jewelry Design, Neon, Ceramics, Metal Arts, Printmaking)

Graphic Design (Packaging, Print and Collateral, Branding, Identity)

Illustration (Cartooning, Childrens Books, Editorial & Sequential Art)

Industrial Design (Automotive Design, Product Design, Furniture Design, Toy Design)

Interior Architecture & Design (Commercial Design, Residential Design)

Motion Pictures & Television (Acting, Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design, Screenwriting, Special Effects)

Multimedia Communications (Broadcasting, You Media)

Photography (Architecture Photography, Advertisement Photography, Digital Photography, Documentary Photography, Editorial Photography, Fashion Photography, Fine Art Photography, Photojournalism Photography, Photo Illustration & Portraiture)




Learn in a Cutting-Edge Environment
If the pros are using it, Academy students are using it too. The Academy is one of the best-equipped art and design schools in the nation. Every school at the Academy has same technology and equipment being used in the industry today. And each year, the Academy makes major purchases in every department to keep up with current industry standards. Students have access to every conceivable resource and facility.


Do What You Love for a Living
Companies hiring our graduates include Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts and Industrial Light and Magic, among others. Graduates have worked on films such as Ratatouille and Wall-E and wildly popular video games such as World of Warcraft. Students continually sweep competitions and alumni have gone on to work for major multimedia companies.

A diverse, open, committed university filled with artists, teachers and professionals: Academy of Art University is where dreams take flightand become reality.

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