The Certificate program in Illustration will help you build the skills you need to work as a professional illustrator. You'll earn an impressive credential without enrolling in a degree program. You'll build a solid foundation in the basic practical and theoretical skills of illustration. You may focus on a particular aspect of the field such as commercial illustration, computer illustration, animation, cartooning, or book illustration or acquire general skills that may be used in a wide variety of ways. By taking one or two courses each semester, you can complete the program in one to two years. The certificate program leads to careers in areas such as commercial illustration, computer illustration, animation, cartooning, and general book illustration.
Program Requirements
The Certificate program in Illustration consists of four required courses and at least four electives. The required courses provide a foundation of techniques, skills, and aesthetic understanding of illustration as a discipline. In order for a course to count toward the Certificate it must taken for credit. Elective courses allow you to build additional general skills or to focus on a particular area. Typically, students take the required courses prior to the electives (all of which are offered through Continuing Education.) Electives can vary each semester. Applicants to post-secondary certificate programs at the SMFA must have at least a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent.
Required Courses
Drawing for Illustrators and Narrative Realists
(Beginner Drawing or Making Marks: An Introduction to Drawing)
Illustration: An Introduction
Intermediate Illustration
Fundamentals of 2-D Design
Suggested Elective Courses
Anatomy: Muscles
Art as Fashion, Fashion as Art
Color Photography and the Digital Darkroom
Color Theory for Artists, Designers, and the Color Curious
Digital Photography I
Going into the World: a Portfolio Prep Course
Illustrating Children's Books: Beginning to Intermediate
Intermediate to Advanced Drawing
Introduction to Adobe Illustrator
Introduction to Adobe Photoshop
Introduction to the Narrative Print
Introduction to Typography
Lithography: The Progressive ProofNuts and Bolts
Making Marks: Introduction to Drawing
Portrait Painting and Drawing
Realist Painting
Screenprinting: The Whole Story
Stop Motion Animation
Internships
Certificate students may participate in SMFA's internship program. Administered by the Artist Resource Center, the program offers opportunities with arts organizations, design firms, and other local businesses, allowing design students to gain practical experience and skills. The internships have a value of two credits.
To apply for an internship, you must be enrolled in the Certificate program in Illustration and you should have completed the four required courses
To be selected, you must meet the requirements of the intern sponsor and have a faculty advisor to supervise the internship.
If you are selected for an internship position, you must enroll with the Continuing Education office and pay the appropriate tuition and fees.
A unit of two credits earned in the internship program will count as a one-course elective in the Certificate program in Illustration.
