About Us

The Art Institute of California — Orange County

With industry mentors, like-minded peers and a unique artistic spirit, The Art Institute of California — Orange County offers a nurturing environment where creative students can thrive.

The Art Institute is a design, media arts and culinary arts school providing bachelor's and associate's degrees in Advertising, Culinary Arts, Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Media Arts & Animation and Visual & Game Programming; as well as two diploma programs in Culinary Arts. Located in the heart of Orange County's South Coast Metro region, The Art Institute is ideally situated in close proximity to Orange County's thriving business community, cultural attractions, shopping, entertainment and its famous beaches.

The school, located at 3601 W. Sunflower Avenue in Santa Ana, Calif., was designed with the creative student in mind. Light, spacious classrooms and equipped studios, professional skills kitchens and Mac and PC computer labs offer a productive working atmosphere to explore and render creativity. The school also includes a library, student gallery, student lounge, an art supply store, staff and faculty offices and other amenities. In August 2003, the school opened its dining lab, 50 Forks—a restaurant open to the public that's operated by senior-level culinary students, overseen by professional chef faculty, as a final passage prior to graduation.

The Art Institute of California — Orange County is one of The Art Institutes, a system of more than 40 educational institutions located across North America. The Art Institutes have provided career-oriented education programs in design, media arts, fashion and culinary for over 35 years, and has more than 125,000 alumni.

Each degree program is offered on a year-round basis, on the quarter system, allowing students to continue to work uninterrupted toward graduation. Academic programs are carefully defined with the support and contributions of members of the professional community through Program Advisory Committees. Curricula are further reviewed by faculty and industry professionals periodically to ensure they meet the needs of a changing marketplace to qualify graduates for entry-level positions in their chosen fields.

The Art Institute of California — Orange County is comprised of more than 100 faculty members who are working professionals in their respective fields. By tapping industry professionals, The Art Institute is able to bring a real-world perspective, work setting and industry standards into the classroom preparing students for entry-level positions upon graduation.

The Art Institute helps prepare its students for the competitive marketplace by teaching real-world, professional skills and directs students' portfolio development and professional resume creation. The school's partnerships with local and national employers help to deliver industry-relevant education that benefits both students and employers. The programs help students develop practical skills, using technology that's recognized by the industry.

Many students gain on-the-job skills through participation in internship or externship experiences at local companies and nationally recognized corporations. Career Services keeps its eye on employer satisfaction and industry trends to provide employers with candidates who fulfill their needs while enabling graduates' career success, both now and in the future.

Of all 2006 Art Institute of California — Orange County graduates available for employment, 92.1% were working in a field related to their program of study within six months of graduation and earning an average salary of $35,386.