The Art Institute of Pittsburgh announced approval today from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to begin enrolling students in a new bachelor’s degree program entitled Entertainment Design. The program is enrolling now for its first classes to begin on July 10, 2006.

This innovative new program combines the traditional 3D principles of industrial design with special effects, audio/visual concentrations, animation, props, animatronics and an in-depth study of human interaction in entertainment venues. Employment opportunities include positions such as set designer, exhibit designer, special effects artist, novelty designer and product designer. Employers include effects and design firms whose clients include theme parks, production companies, event producers, motion picture producers, stage shows, museums, golf courses, casinos, restaurants and retail mega-stores.

“Our Entertainment Design program is the first undergraduate degree of its kind available,” said Academic Department Director Jim Yedinak. “People should think of highly stylized venues such as Las Vegas and Times Square shops and restaurants, sets for Broadway productions, theme park attractions and trade show exhibits to get a solid understanding of the program.”

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh is an academic pioneer the industrial design field. Since its inception in 1987, The Art Institute’s program has become the largest of its kind in the United States. “Industrial design graduates have been gaining employment in entertainment-related fields for many years,” said Yedinak. “We’ve taken the courses that have made these graduates successful and added advanced and specialized classes.”

Courses in the new 180-credit Entertainment Design program include:

Human and Animal Anatomy

Airbrush Basics

Movie Miniature Animation

Mechanical and Electrical Principles

Lifecast/Foam

Teeth, Hair and Eyes

3D Modeling

Introduction to Audio

Mechanical Creatures

Scenery and Lighting Design

Students must conduct a six-credit graduate thesis, and will complete a comprehensive portfolio course before graduation. In addition, 30 percent of the degree consists of general education courses, geared toward producing a well-rounded graduate with enhanced business skills and greater management potential.

Industrial design graduates have long served the entertainment industry in movie effects. “Graduates from this program have more experience in the movie effects industry than any other program we offer because their skills are so well rounded,” said George Pry, President of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. According to Pry, graduates have moved on to work on sets, animation and special effects for dozens of blockbuster titles including Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Planet of the Apes, Godzilla, Pirates of the Caribbean and dozens more.

*** Interviews are available by request. Contact Carrie Butler for more information about the program or to speak with administration, faculty or alumni of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh