The Foundation courses at The Art Institute are the first steps toward the student's chosen career path.

These beginning courses are common to most AIP programs, basic and introductory in nature, and include the areas of art, design, business, and audio and digital technology. They are designed to provide students with the conceptual underpinnings and skills necessary for successful advancement in their program's creative course work.

Depending on the major, students will develop an understanding of color, composition, design, perspective, and basic drawing skills; or will be introduced to fundamental business and management skills and/or beginning digital or audio technology. Students in the Foundation courses also benefit from the interaction and exchange of ideas among the different program disciplines.

Students begin learning the importance of creative problem solving, concept development, and critical analysis and reasoning. In addition, instruction is started on the very essential skills of oral and written communication and presentation.  

Foundation Courses:

FND110 Drawing

FND111 Color Theory for Print

FND112 Fundamentals of Design

FND113 Perspective

FND114 Fundamentals of Media Communication

FND115 Color Theory for Web & Multimedia

FND120 Visual Indication

FND121 Theory & Development of Form

FND122 Drawing & PerspectiveFND130 Desktop Video

FND131 Intro to Audio

FND132 Fundamentals of the Internet

FND133 Digital Imaging for Web & Multimedia

FND134 Photography

FND150 Sales & Persuasive Techniques

FND151 Consumer Behavior

FND152 Fundamentals of Business

FND153 Fundamentals of Marketing