Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Development
San Francisco, USA
DURATION
8 Semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
USD 1,463 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* per unit for international students / USD 1,239 per unit for domestic students
Introduction
The School of Visual Development's BFA program provides a dynamic education in the art of scene-setting. The core curriculum emphasizes photography, figure modeling, form analysis, figure drawing, narrative principles, visual development for animation, character design, concept paintings, advanced exploration of perspective for video game design, and various other critical design disciplines.
Unit Requirements
| Major Coursework | Units |
| Major | 42 |
| Liberal Arts | 45 |
| Elective | 9 |
| Core | 36 |
| Total | 132 |
Degree Requirements
BFA Visual Development Degree Requirements
- A minimum grade of C- in all core courses, major courses, and LA 107 Writing for the Multilingual Artist or 108 Composition for the Artist
- Minimum 2.0 GPA and the following general education requirements:
- 1 Written Communication: Composition
- 1 Written Communication: Critical Thinking
- 1 Written Communication: Context & Style
- 2 Art Historical Awareness: Western Art
- 2 Art Historical Awareness: Surveys
- 1 Historical Awareness
- 1 Quantitative Literacy
- 1 Cultural Ideas & Influences
- 1 Employment Communications & Practices
After the above general education requirements are met, take Liberal Arts electives as needed to fulfill the Liberal Arts unit requirement.
Program Outcome
Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Visual Development
- Generate functional designs for entertainment media (2D or 3D), following an industry-standard process from thumbnails through final render
- Effectively communicate narrative, theme, and character through design choices
- Maintain a consistent “language” or “signature style” in art directing a scene with the requisite continuity in visual storytelling
- Demonstrate the ability to research for inspiration, reference, and accuracy
- Demonstrate flexibility in illustrative style by showing both a unique personal style and the ability to accommodate style to project needs
Artistic Ability
- Draw and paint convincing poses, expressions, character designs, thumbnails, storyboards, and production paintings
- Demonstrate facility creating perspective and conveying anatomy and proportion in human and animal figures.
- Master the use of a focal point, with value, color, detail, and composition.
Technical Skills
- Demonstrate proficient skills with relevant animation technology and software.
Presentation Skills
- Create visually compelling and cohesive presentations
- Discuss work clearly and professionally
Collaboration
- Collaborate effectively on creative projects
Professional Readiness
- Produce a comprehensive portfolio (digital and print) that meets industry standards
- Manage workload to meet deadlines
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
Curriculum
Semester 1
- FND 110A: Analysis of Form A
- FND 131: Figure Modeling
- LA 137: History of Visual Development
- VIS 103: Visual Development Imaging
Semester 2
- FASCU 270: Ecorche
- FND 110B: Analysis of Form B
- FND 112: Figure Drawing
- FND 125: Color and Design
- LA 108: Composition for the Artist
- VIS 150: Visual Development 1
Semester 3
- FA 110: Still Life Painting 1
- FND 116: Perspective
- ILL 120: Clothed Figure Drawing 1
- LA 120: Art History Through the 15th Century
- LA 291: Designing Careers
Semester 4
- FA 222: Heads & Hands
- ILL 233: Digital Media 2: Illustrative Imaging
- LA 121: Art History Through the 19th Century
- LA 202: English Composition: Creative Persuasion & Argument
- VIS 205: Visual Development Production
- VIS 230: Digital Painting for Visual Development
- VIS 250: Visual Development 2
Semester 5
- ILL 220: Clothed Figure Drawing 2
- LA 110: Writing the Short Story
- LA 146: Anatomy of Automobiles
- VIS 280: Color Scripting
- VIS 300: Environment Design for Visual Development
Semester 6
- ILL 243: Advanced Perspective for Illustration, Film & Games
- LA 132: History of Animation
- LA 157: The Genius of Appeal
- LA 171: Western Civilization
- VIS 235: Character Design for Visual Development (ZBrush)
- VIS 350: Visual Development for Live-Action
- VIS 364: Character Design 1: Bringing Characters to Life
Semester 7
- LA 131: History of Gaming
- VIS 315: UI for Visual Development
- VIS 400: Visual Development Styles
- VIS 498: Collaborative Project
Semester 8
- ILL 267: Animal Anatomy
- LA 292: Programming & Culture
- LA 304: Crowdfunding & Social Media Marketing
- LA 306: Creatively Speaking: Presentation for Designers
- VIS 405: Senior Portfolio for Visual Development
- VIS 500: Internship in Visual Development: for all VIS students
Gallery
Program Tuition Fee
English Language Requirements
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