Commercial and Advertising Art
Overview
Programs in commercial and advertising art teach people how to convey ideas to businesses and consumers using graphic images.Programs in commercial and advertising art teach people how to communicate ideas using graphic images. Students learn to use computers to design and lay out text and graphics. They study computer animation and techniques such as engraving, drawing, and cartooning.
Commercial and advertising art programs includes topics such as:
- Design principles
- Text and graphic lay out
- Engraving, drawing, and cartooning, and computer graphic techniques
- Advertising principles and marketing
- Color theory, design, and drawing
- Integration of art and advertising
People with a degree in commercial arts might work in a variety of settings, including:
- Design houses
- Advertising agencies
- TV and film studios
Portfolio
Students begin to develop their professional portfolio during college. This includes samples of work from team projects and independent projects.
Schools
Commercial and advertising art is sometimes a concentration in a graphic design program.
Most community colleges and independent art schools offer certificates or associate degree programs in commercial and advertising art. A certificate program usually takes a year of full-time study. An associate degree program usually takes two years to complete.
Most independent art schools, colleges, and universities offer Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree programs in commercial and advertising art. A BFA usually takes about four to five years of full-time study.
Several universities offer Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees in commercial and advertising art. A MFA typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Many people who get graduate degrees in commercial and advertising art teach at the college level.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Animation, Video Graphics, and Special Effects
- Computer Graphics
- Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging
- Digital Communication and Media
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Industrial Design
- Marketing
- Multimedia and Intermedia
- Painting and Drawing
- Photography
- Web Page and Multimedia Design
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
- Advertising Managers
- Advertising Salespeople
- Animators and Multimedia Artists
- Cartoonists
- Fashion Designers
- Fine Artists
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
For this program, schools recommend that you know how to use a computer and the Internet. In addition, some programs require a separate admissions process aside from the general college admission. In most cases, you have to take required courses and submit a portfolio of your work.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Art Appreciation
- Commercial Art
- Computer Graphics
- Computer-assisted Art
- Creative Writing
- Drawing and Painting
- Film and Videotape
- Graphic Arts and Printing
- Mass Media, Communication
- Photography
- Principles of Advertising
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores.
Additional requirements at some schools include:
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
- Undergraduate degree or significant course work in advertising, art, graphic design, or related field
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Portfolio review and personal interview
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Ad Design
- Animation (Motion Graphics)
- Business Management
- Calligraphy and Lettering
- Cartooning
- Color Theory
- Communication Theory
- Computer and Digital Graphics
- Computer Animation and Imaging
- Desktop Publishing
- Digital Culture and Media
- Digital Journalism
- Drawing and Sketching
- Electronic Arts Theory
- Graphic Design
- Graphic Photography
- Illustration
- Interactive Marketing
- Printing and Publication Design
- Psychology
- Sequential Graphics
- Signage
- Sociology
- Studio in Computer Art
- Typography
- Video
- Visual Design and Visual Effect
Graduate Program Courses
Graduate programs that lead to a master's or doctoral degree typically include:
- Required courses
- Thesis (master’s degree)
- Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
- Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)
Things to Know
When undergraduate programs require applicants to submit a portfolio, it can include various types of creative work from high school, hobbies, clubs, volunteer work, and community projects.
Students in both undergraduate and graduate classes may be expected to exhibit or publish their work. Often, portfolios are critiqued by fellow students and faculty.
Schools
East Side Area
Central Washington University
- Art--Studio Art
Walla Walla University
- Art--Illustration Concentration
King-Snohomish Area
Bellevue College
- Web Marketing Specialist
Cornish College of the Arts
- Design
North Seattle College
- Fine Arts
Tacoma Area
Northwest College of Art & Design
- Visual Communication--Double Major
- Visual Communication--Motion Design