Course Tracks

Since we opened our doors in 2015 BAI has offered the highest quality illustration instruction. Up to now our students have only had the opportunity to take classes a la carte and we will continue to offer the a la carte option—students will still be able to choose any class/es we offer as they see fit. However, we are also offering two additional course tracks for those who may be interested: Certificate and Foundation.

BAI Illustration Certificate

Beginning in the Fall of 2017, BAI began offering a certificate program. When starting BAI, we imagined it as a topnotch college-level illustration department — but without the college. We believe that our combination of faculty and curriculum are on par with, or surpass that of any art school illustration department. And now, students wanting to take a full load of classes that approximate the level of illustration education one might get at a quality art college can do so at BAI.

Each course at BAI now has a certain number of credits assigned to it: 3 for core classes and 2 for electives. There would be a total of 30 credits needed to complete the certificate—18 credits of core classes and 18 credits of elective classes. Students who are interested in pursuing a certificate are advised as to what combination of courses they should take to get an education that we believe is the equal of the illustration education they would get in a four-year program. There is no proscribed timetable for completing the classes. A student can finish the certificate as quickly as he or she completes the necessary courses. And there is no penalty for taking a longer amount of time to complete the certificate requirements. Upon completion of the required course, BAI will award a certificate indicating that our goals for that student have been met.

BAI Foundation Courses

BAI also began offering a Foundation track of classes in the Fall of 2017. These classes are for beginners. Whether students have little or no art in their background, whether they are interested in an illustration career or just want to explore a visual medium, these classes are designed to gently introduce them to the basics. Foundation Drawing, Foundation Painting, Working with Color, and Beginner’s Photoshop form the hub of a Foundation curriculum on which future instruction can be built.