Program Overview

Program Overview

The BFA in Illustration at Montclair State University is a multidisciplinary program that helps students transform their artistic vision into a powerful career. The program is located just outside New York City, home to the world's top publishers, studios, and design agencies, providing students with hands-on training, professional connections, and a portfolio that stands out in any market.

Program Format

The program is offered in a hybrid format, with both in-person and online components.

College or School

The BFA in Illustration is part of the College of the Arts.

Area of Study

The program falls under the category of Arts, Culture, and Design.

Concentrations Offered

The program offers several concentrations, including:

• General Concentration
• Pre-production Design
• Publishing
• Interdisciplinary

Cost Information

The in-state tuition is $7,839 per semester.

Program Highlights

The program features:

• Courses in traditional and digital media, including acrylic, watercolor, digital painting, vector drawing, and more
• Advanced coursework in editorial, graphic novels, visual development, motion, zines, and licensing
• Projects that include character sheets, storyboards, animated walk cycles, and an entrepreneurial business model
• A mandatory creative internship
• A final-year exhibition and portfolio tailored to career goals
• Award-winning faculty with deep industry experience and NYC connections
• Small class sizes for personalized mentorship

Concentrations

The program offers four concentrations:

General Concentration

The BFA in Illustration prepares skilled painters and drawers for careers in communication arts. Students develop expertise in visual storytelling, world-building, and problem-solving while building professional networks. Graduates leave with advanced portfolios, industry-ready skills, and career paths in publishing, animation, gaming, and multimedia design.

Pre-production Design

This concentration is best suited for students who want to study visual development for gaming, film, animation, advertising art, or motion graphics.

Publishing

This concentration is best suited for students who want to study comics, graphic novels, childrens books, magazine or editorial art.

Interdisciplinary

This concentration is best suited for students who want a little bit of both tracks with the additional option to study caricature drawing and how to license their art for retail stores.

Related Programs

Related programs include:

• Animation and Visual Effects (BA)
• Visual Arts (BA, Minor)