The Art Institutes are a network of over 40 schools located around North America. They focus on training within the design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professions, and allow students to reach their creative peaks while gaining a diverse range of knowledge and skills relevant to their chosen fields.

The Art Institute of Portland has an emphasis on undergraduate design education, involving coursework in the humanities, the sciences and communication. While there, students will also be given industry-relevant knowledge and advice to help them secure their first entry-level position and progress to a successful career. In fact, graduates from Art Institutes everywhere are known for their high quality and have been accepted into large international corporations, such as Time Warner, Nintendo of America, Marriot and the Ford Motor Company.

The Art Institute of Portland

Pic: The Art Institute of Portland

The Art Institute of Portland opened in 1963, and has provided North America with skilled graduates since that time. The college is well respected in the US and Canada, and has several aims, including encouraging innovation in the arts and design fields, and promoting and supporting the artistic community of Portland.

Academics
The Art Institute of Portland boasts a wide number of degree programs, offering students a well-rounded education in their chosen field. The Institute itself contains the following four schools:

  • Culinary Arts
  • Design
  • Fashion
  • Media Arts

It also has a wide selection of general education courses available to students who wish to expand their knowledge and skills into other areas.

Some programs offer students the chance to receive a Sustainability Minor in which they can learn how to reduce resource use and minimize environmental impact when designing places, products and services. In this way, the Institute promotes artistic development while being aware of our effect on the planet.

Bachelor Programs
The Art Institute of Portland offers a number of bachelor degree programs across all four of its schools. Here is a small selection of what is currently available to students in the design, media arts and fashion disciplines:

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising: Focusing on design, layout, typography and copywriting, this program provides students with all of the skills they need to succeed in this highly competitive industry. The Institute also has its own student-run advertising agency, brashCreative, where students work on real projects to develop and perfect their abilities.
  • Bachelor of Science in Design Visualization: This program teaches students both technical skills and aesthetic training, and covers topics such as illustration, 3D modeling and photograph compositing. On completion, graduates will have covered a number of fields, including graphic, web and interior design, in addition to the core design visualization topics.
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Effects and Motion Graphics: This course is based around real-world situations, and students will have a chance to work individually and within a team to manipulate graphics and create special effects in an environment similar what they will find when they receive a placement in the film and television industries.
  • Bachelor of Science in Web Design & Interactive Media: In this program, students will learn how to combine elements of video, audio, graphics and concept development to create an interactive digital platform that will enhance the user experience and meet industry standards, while utilizing high-tech solutions and modern design methods.
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Apparel Design: This course offers students the chance to study under some of the best names in the fashion business, nurturing their creativity and innovation while learning all of the necessary skills to combine beauty and function in one well-constructed outfit.

Associate Programs & Diplomas
For those who wish to expand on their skill sets, the Art Institute of Portland also offers a range of shorter associate degrees and diplomas. These cover all disciplines available at the school, giving students the chance to then branch out into new and exciting fields. Here is a selection of the shorter courses offered by the Institute:

  • Associate of Arts in Graphic Design: This hands-on program allows students to develop their drawing, design and composition skills while receiving valuable, industry-relevant knowledge. On completion, graduates will also know about areas such as consumer behavior and trend analysis.
  • Diploma in Web Design & Development: Focusing on webpages and mobile device applications, this course teaches students how to develop a design that effectively relays information to the reader in a highly effective manner, using a combination of images, templates and multimedia.
  • Diploma in Fashion Retailing: In this course, students will learn how to combine business skills with design knowledge in order to effectively display, promote and sell merchandise within a range of areas in the fashion industry.

Student Life at the Institute
The Art Institute of Portland, with some help from the Student Affairs Department, offers students a richer college experience through a challenging educational syllabus, a welcoming community and a wide variety of clubs and activities. The Institute also offers counseling, health & wellness, and disability services to those who require them.

Here is a list of some of the major organizations found at the Arts Institute of Portland:

  • AIPD Animation Guild: Supports artists in the media arts, game arts and visual programming fields, and helps them reach their creative potential.
  • brashCreative: Focuses on the professional development of those in the advertising fields through creative input, thorough research and real results.
  • Jam Out: Tailored for those who simply love music, whether they play an instrument or not, while helping students express themselves in this area.

The Institute also offers Student Housing for those enrolled on campus. Here, students can live among their classmates in a safe, friendly environment within one of the two available housing locations, which range from private rooms to proper apartments. All accommodation options are fully furnished and supervised by on-site professionals and student assistants. These housing locations are found within walking distance of the campus.

The Art Institutes

Pic: The Art Institutes

Living in Portland
The Art Institute of Portland is located close to public transport such as the Portland Streetcar, Max Light Rail and several bus routes. This means students will have access to most districts in the city, regardless of whether they own a car or not.

Portland offers students at the Art Institute a genuinely creative environment in which to grow and develop their skills. From a vibrant music scene to a diverse range of visual arts spots, individuality, innovation and a free spirit are encouraged all around the city. The region also boasts a large number of restaurants, stores, cafes and pubs to keep residents happy and active.

The area surrounding Portland is also well-known for its outdoor activities. With sites, such as the Willamette River, the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood, wilderness enthusiasts will find plenty to do from cycling and hiking to wind surfing. During the winter, the region also boasts one of America’s longest snow seasons and attracts thousands of skiers and snowboarders from around the country.

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