overview

Take the first step towards your career

Since 1929, artists and designers have called the Academy of Art University their home. Founded in San Francisco and family-owned, it is one of the largest private, accredited art and design schools in the nation. They are first and foremost a professional school—a specialized place that helps you master your craft as you prepare for professional roles as artists and designers. Their hands-on, no-nonsense curriculum is taught by some of the finest minds working in today’s creative and innovative industries. They will help you develop your talent and acquire skills sought by the creative marketplace.

STUDENT GALLERY

Latest artwork and projects from students

Learn from best equipped working professional artists and designers

A practiced-based and career-centered curriculum

Create a professional portfolio

Study on your own time, at your own pace.

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University Pathways

Your Pathway to Success

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AWARDS, RANKINGS & RECOGNITIONS

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courses

Study areas for this college

Asset creation On-campus

Think Tank’s mentorship is designed to help artists that have previous training and/or experience brush up on their skills and produce a viable demo reel. Each student is assigned a personal, state-of-the-art workstation. During your time on campus, you will have access to 4-months of guidance from an industry professional to create and polish your demo reel. 

Vancouver, Canada

12 Months

February | June | October

International Students: $50,800 CAD
Canadian Students: $38,400 CAD

asset creation Online

Asset Creation is a term used in the CG industry for the creation of all bits and pieces, both big and small, used in Film and Games. This Asset Creation program is designed to train working artists in the CG Industry for the roles of Props & Environments for Film, Characters & Creatures for Film, Environments for Games as well as Characters & Creatures for Games.

Online

16 Months

February | June | October

$15,840 CAD

If you pay for all 4 terms upfront, you will receive 5% off.

Mentorship

Think Tank’s mentorship is designed to help artists that have previous training and/or experience brush up on their skills and produce a viable demo reel. Each student is assigned a personal, state-of-the-art workstation. During your time on campus, you will have access to 4-months of guidance from an industry professional to create and polish your demo reel. 

Vancouver, Canada

4 Months

February | June | October

International Students: $16,500 CAD
Canadian Students: $12,500 CAD

MENTORS

Learn from industry experts

AAU-Saddie_Williams
Saddie Williams

BFA Graphic Design / Designer at Airbnb. Founder and Art Director, Greta Magazine – She designed a publication in School of Graphic Design Director Phil Hamlett’s Visual Systems 2 class. Where it started as a school project but now it’s taken shape as an award-winning publication—Greta Magazine, founded by alumna Sadie Williams.

AAU-Mark_Cofer
Mark Cofer

MFA Music Production & Sound Design for Visual Media – After graduation and his success at the Spring Show, Cofer started getting freelance work to pursue careers in music production, including a gig with a company called Cue Carnivore, which creates cutting-edge music and sound effects for film advertising.

AAU-Ruby_Wang
Ruby Wang

MFA Visual Development / Concept Artist at Flight School Studio – Art Director for Award-Winning VR Film “Lutaw”. Lutaw is the latest chapter in Wang’s journey from Taiwan to San Francisco and now Dallas, Texas. She’s currently a concept artist at Flight School Studio, which also has offices in Los Angeles and Montreal, and is producing films, games and other productions incorporating emerging technologies.

AAU-Jason_Sperling
Jason Sperling

MFA School of Advertising, Executive Creative Director for Reality Labs at Facebook – Sperling is best known for creating the Adweek Campaign of the Decade with his “Get a Mac” campaign, as well as Honda’s “Matthew’s Day Off” Super Bowl spot, which was chosen by Entertainment Weekly as one of the Top 10 Super Bowl commercials of all time.

Job Placement

Companies that have hired graduates

application process

How to apply to this college?

  • Read course pages and select the course you’d like to study
  • Fill out our application form
  • Provide documents needed (check course page for individual course requirements)
  • Confirm details
  • Sign contract and payment
  • Start learning!

About this college

San Francisco, California
On-Campus | Online
English
Scholarships available

Scholarships not available

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