Essay Requirements
View the essay requirements by major listed below.
The Short Answer Essay will be submitted in the online application. You can copy and paste your response or upload it as a separate document. Your response is required to submit your essay.
You will upload Essay 1 and Essay 2 as separate documents in the online application or through the applicant portal after you submit your application. Please list “Essay 1” or “Essay 2” at the top of the document.
Creative Direction
Short Answer Essay
Describe the path that has led to your choice of major and describe your educational goals. (100 words max recommended)
Essay 1 - Influences
Who do you believe to be the three major artists and designers who are shaping the discipline you are interested in pursuing or who have influenced you? (400 words max recommended).
Essay 2 – Risk Taking
Taking a risk comes more easily to some than to others, but for most it will be an important part of becoming an artist or designer. Explain a risk you’ve taken in your life that has paid off—exploring something new, confronting a fear or problem, or taking a stand on an issue. (400 words max recommended)
Entertainment Design
ANIMATION/CONCEPT
Short Answer Essay
Describe the path that has led to your choice of major and describe your educational goals. (100 words max recommended)
Essay 1 - Influences
Who do you believe to be the three major artists and designers who are shaping the discipline you are interested in pursuing or who have influenced you? (400 words max recommended).
Essay 2 – Risk Taking
Taking a risk comes more easily to some than to others, but for most it will be an important part of becoming an artist or designer. Explain a risk you’ve taken in your life that has paid off—exploring something new, confronting a fear or problem, or taking a stand on an issue. (400 words max recommended)
GAME
Short Answer Essay
Describe the path that has led to your choice of major and describe your educational goals. (100 words max recommended)
Essay 1
Why do you want to be a game designer? (400 words max recommended)
Essay 2
Provide a brief analysis of a game (non-video game) that you like. Be sure to include a description of the game and an explanation of what you like about the game and your opinion as to what makes the game fun. (400 words max recommended)
Fine Art
Short Answer Essay
Describe the path that has led to your choice of major and describe your educational goals. (100 words max recommended)
Essay 1 - Influences
Who do you believe to be the three major artists and designers who are shaping the discipline you are interested in pursuing or who have influenced you? (400 words max recommended).
Essay 2 – Process
A work of art is the result of many factors, ways of working, and kinds of thinking. Discuss how the elements below are related or integrated in your own work. Explain how you approach the process of art making in regard to these factors, and feel free to add other elements that are important to you. (400 words max recommended)
- Skill.
- Choice of materials or medium.
- Personal experience/feelings/intuition. Why you make art.
- Research/sources of inspiration.
Film
Short Answer Essay
Describe the path that has led to your choice of major and describe your educational goals. (100 words max recommended)
Essay 1 - Influences
Who do you believe to be the three major artists and designers who are shaping the discipline you are interested in pursuing or who have influenced you? (400 words max recommended).
Essay 2 – Risk Taking
Taking a risk comes more easily to some than to others, but for most it will be an important part of becoming an artist or designer. Explain a risk you’ve taken in your life that has paid off—exploring something new, confronting a fear or problem, or taking a stand on an issue. (400 words max recommended)
Graphic Design
Short Answer Essay
Describe the path that has led to your choice of major and describe your educational goals. (100 words max recommended)
Essay 1 - Influences
Who do you believe to be the three major artists and designers who are shaping the discipline you are interested in pursuing or who have influenced you? (400 words max recommended).
Essay 2 – Risk Taking
Taking a risk comes more easily to some than to others, but for most it will be an important part of becoming an artist or designer. Explain a risk you’ve taken in your life that has paid off—exploring something new, confronting a fear or problem, or taking a stand on an issue. (400 words max recommended)
Illustration
TRACKS: ILLUSTRATION DESIGN, FINE ARTS PAINTING, MOTION, SURFACE DESIGN, UNDECIDED
Short Answer Essay
Describe the path that has led to your choice of major and describe your educational goals. (100 words max recommended)
Essay 1
Please provide brief answers to each of the following prompts (3-4 sentences for each question).
- Describe the most profound reaction you’ve had to a work of art. This might include an experience in a museum or gallery exhibition, engaging with work out in the world, or in books, magazines, or online.
- What is your favorite story (from a book, novel, poem, fairy tale, or movie)? Why does it resonate with you so deeply?
- Choose a currently practicing illustrator and tell us what you like about their work.
Essay 2
Please provide brief answers to each of the following prompts (3-4 sentences for each question).
- What do you feel is the greatest strength you can bring to the field of Illustration?
- What areas do you feel you need the greatest growth as an illustrator?
TRACKS: ENTERTAINMENT ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT ARTS CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Short Answer Essay
Describe the path that has led to your choice of major and describe your educational goals. (100 words max recommended)
Essay 1
Please provide brief answers to each of the following prompts (3-4 sentences for each question).
- What initially sparked your interest in Entertainment Art?
- Why are you interested in a career in Entertainment Art?
- Do you spend more time watching movies, playing video games or reading stories? What interests you about this form of entertainment?
Essay 2
Please provide brief answers to each of the following prompts (3-4 sentences for each question).
- What do you feel is the greatest strength you can bring to the entertainment industry?
- In what areas do you feel you need the most growth as an illustrator?
Interaction Design
Short Answer Essay
Describe the path that has led to your choice of major and describe your educational goals. (100 words max recommended)
Essay 1
Describe your interest in the Interaction Design major at ArtCenter; the people and projects that inspire you; and what you would like to accomplish in the Interaction Design field when you graduate.(400 words max recommended)
Essay 2
Describe the innovations you think will happen in Interaction Design over the next five years. Describe why you think these innovations will occur and provide evidence for this rationale. (400 words max recommended)
Photography and Imagining
Short Answer Essay
Describe the path that has led to your choice of major and describe your educational goals. (100 words max recommended)
Essay 1 - Influences
Who do you believe to be the three major artists and designers who are shaping the discipline you are interested in pursuing or who have influenced you? (400 words max recommended).
Essay 2 – Risk Taking
Taking a risk comes more easily to some than to others, but for most it will be an important part of becoming an artist or designer. Explain a risk you’ve taken in your life that has paid off—exploring something new, confronting a fear or problem, or taking a stand on an issue. (400 words max recommended)
Product Design
Short Answer Essay
Describe the path that has led to your choice of major and describe your educational goals. (100 words max recommended)
Essay 1 - Influences
Who do you believe to be the three major artists and designers who are shaping the discipline you are interested in pursuing or who have influenced you? (400 words max recommended).
Essay 2 – Risk Taking
Taking a risk comes more easily to some than to others, but for most it will be an important part of becoming an artist or designer. Explain a risk you’ve taken in your life that has paid off—exploring something new, confronting a fear or problem, or taking a stand on an issue. (400 words max recommended)
Spatial Experience Design
Short Answer Essay
Describe the path that has led to your choice of major and describe your educational goals. (100 words max recommended)
Essay 1 - Influences
Who do you believe to be the three major artists and designers who are shaping the discipline you are interested in pursuing or who have influenced you? (400 words max recommended).
Essay 2 – Risk Taking
Taking a risk comes more easily to some than to others, but for most it will be an important part of becoming an artist or designer. Explain a risk you’ve taken in your life that has paid off—exploring something new, confronting a fear or problem, or taking a stand on an issue. (400 words max recommended)
Transportation Design
Short Answer Essay
Describe the path that has led to your choice of major and describe your educational goals. (100 words max recommended)
Essay 1 - Influences
Who do you believe to be the three major artists and designers who are shaping the discipline you are interested in pursuing or who have influenced you? (400 words max recommended).
Essay 2 – Risk Taking
Taking a risk comes more easily to some than to others, but for most it will be an important part of becoming an artist or designer. Explain a risk you’ve taken in your life that has paid off—exploring something new, confronting a fear or problem, or taking a stand on an issue. (400 words max recommended)
First Year Immersion
Short Answer Essay
Describe the path that has led to your choice to become an artist or designer and describe your educational goals. (100 words max recommended)
Essay 1
Sometimes, the most meaningful aspects of who you are as a creative individual are not apparent from an application for admission. What should we know about you that will help us understand your decision to commit to a creative path? Take this chance to share your story, your motivation, or your personal point of view with us. (400 words max recommended)
Essay 2
Taking a risk comes more easily to some than to others, but for most it will be an important part of becoming an artist or designer. Explain a risk you’ve taken in your life that has paid off—exploring something new, confronting a fear or problem, or taking a stand on an issue. (400 words max recommended)