Academy of Art University
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Development

DURATION

8 Semesters

LANGUAGES

English

PACE

Full time, Part time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Request application deadline

EARLIEST START DATE

Jun 2025

TUITION FEES

USD 1,463 *

STUDY FORMAT

Distance Learning, On-Campus

* per unit for international students / USD 1,239 per unit for domestic students

Key Summary

About: The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Development focuses on building artistic skills and techniques essential for storytelling through visual media. This program covers various aspects of visual design, character development, and environment creation, preparing students for a career in the animation and gaming industries.

Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue careers as concept artists, character designers, visual development artists, or environment artists in companies focused on animation, video games, film, and other visual storytelling mediums.

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
- 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

Gallery

Program Tuition Fee

English Language Requirements

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