As I stated in another thread, my D (rising senior) is the only one applying to art school in her HS, so we have limited knowledge about this whole process.
She wants to major in illustration. We are thinking of visiting schools on the East Coast during spring break, but we have limited time (and money).
So here is my (rather) basic question - Which schools on East Coast have good programs in illustration?
So far, I found:
MICA
RISD
SVA
PCA & D
Moore
Anything else?
Pratt has AD (2 years program) in illustration but what happens after that? If she has to study fine art after her 3rd year, that may not be what she wants to do. Likewise, Parsons also seems to have 2-year program in illustration, but what should a student who wants to focus on illustration do after her 3rd year?
Syracuse & UofA are both great schools. Very impressed with the illustration program at Syracuse in particular. You may want to decide on a schedule quickly because you need to reserve a spot on most of the school tours.
Tyler School of Art is another great art school but does not have a strictly Illustration major. Illustration courses fall under the category of “Drawing & Painting”. My son is a freshman there & loves it so far!
Also - depending on how much traveling you want to do - Virginia Commonwealth in Richmond, VA
@Madaboutx Thanks! Not sure if I would be excited about applying again 2 years later, though… (AD program)
@mom4cw Thanks! Didn’t know that illustration falls under the category of Painting & Drawing. Does the program have a more fine art focus, or does it let student explore commercial side of illustrations?
Tyler freshmen all take foundation year courses so I don’t actually know what the drawing classes involve. My son is hoping to get into the graphic design program (students have to apply for it during soph year) but is also considering Painting & Drawing.
RIT & SUNY Purchase are other schools you may want to consider.
Both Pratt and Parsons offer a BFA in Illustration. I’ve included the curriculum links below.
For Pratt, the illustration concentration is part of it’s communication design (ComD) program so is actually located within the School of Design. Therefore, I expect it will have a more commercial than fine arts focus.
Give SUNY Purchase a look, especially if you’ll be in the NYC metro area. It’s conservatories are very well respected in the field. The school is, however, absolutely hideous. Think industrial Park ugly. But mostly, the kids there are pretty great. The place is filled with creative types of all sorts- musicians, dancers, writers, actors, etc. It was established in the 60s as the arts school for the SUNY system (which might explain the breathtakingly horrid architecture.)
If you are visiting Philadelphia/New York, definitely visit UArts, PAFA, and Moore. PCAD is out of the way and not as strong as the Philly schools. I think they have an illustration major.