FAQ

The Foundation in Art & Design (FIAD) is a curated selection of foundational art and introductory 3D courses, organized into four terms with 3–4 courses per term, lasting up to a year. It’s designed for students aiming to improve their artistic skills, build a well-rounded portfolio, and prepare for further education in digital production. Whether FIAD is the right fit depends on your experience level and personal goals. We recommend speaking with an Admissions Advisor to discuss your aspirations and determine if this path aligns with your objectives.

The Foundation in Art & Design (FIAD) is designed for individuals interested in exploring a career as a digital artist in the entertainment industry. It’s ideal for beginners or those seeking to develop fundamental art and design skills, build a college-ready art portfolio, or prepare for further education in digital production. FIAD is especially suited for students interested in a Gnomon degree or certificate program who may need further art education to either learn the skills necessary to create an admissible portfolio or to assess their interest and alignment with Gnomon’s curriculum.

The Foundation in Art & Design (FIAD) offers several key benefits:

• Portfolio Development: Students gain the skills necessary to start building a portfolio suitable for applications to Gnomon’s BFA and Certificate programs.
• Transferable Credits: The majority of FIAD courses offer credits that can transfer directly to Gnomon’s full-time programs, making it a practical first step.
• Cost-Effective Pathway: FIAD provides a cost-saving alternative to a traditional community college path, with a focus on skills and standards specific to the entertainment industry.
• Low Commitment: Students enroll one term at a time, offering the chance to explore a college-level art curriculum before making any long-term financial commitments.

FIAD is ideal for those who want to explore digital arts in an accessible, supportive environment before committing to a full-time program.

Choosing between beginning with FIAD or applying directly to the BFA depends on your portfolio readiness and goals. FIAD is ideal for students who don’t yet have the admissible portfolio required for BFA admission or for those who want to explore a college-level art curriculum before committing to a full BFA program. A key advantage of FIAD is that most credits are transferable to the BFA program (upon acceptance), effectively reducing the overall BFA tuition by treating these credits as a tuition discount.

If you already have a portfolio that meets BFA requirements, going straight into the BFA may be the best option. Talk to an Admissions Advisor for guidance on which path is best for you.

Students are welcome to sign up for individual courses outside of the Foundation studies if they are looking to start with one course or take fewer classes each term. We recommend speaking with an Admissions Advisor for recommendations based on your goals.

Students looking to enroll in FIAD Courses must have a High School diploma or equivalent. Gnomon’s courses are intended for students 18 years of age or above. Individuals who are 17 may be considered for the Foundation in Art & Design as long as they turn 18 years of age within 90 days of the start of their course and present a GPA of 3.0 or above on High School transcripts. Please visit the How to Enroll section for more information.

Yes— you do not need a portfolio. However, we recommend speaking with an Admissions advisor to ensure the courses will be appropriate for you based on your skill level and goals.

The Foundation in Art & Design is a curated selection of individual courses, not a formal program, so there is no application or acceptance process. Students who meet the enrollment requirements may enroll directly in FIAD courses. For more details, please visit the How to Enroll section.

Gnomon's Foundation in Art & Design commences twice per year, in the Spring and Fall terms. Please see the Academic Calendar for important dates and deadlines.

FIAD students are enrolled in 3 or 4 courses per term. Each course meets once per week for 10 consecutive weeks. The days and times of the classes vary each term, and are non-negotiable.

Yes—the FIAD is made up of college-level courses that are transferrable to Gnomon’s full time programs. These courses include classwork, homework, and grades.

Yes, students must meet a minimum requirement of a 2.0 quarterly grade point average (GPA) in order to be enrolled in a future quarter (term) of FIAD courses.

Students who do not meet the minimum GPA standard will not be allowed to enroll in future Foundation in Art & Design terms. However, students are welcome to enroll in individual, standalone courses outside of the Foundation in Art & Design.

Gnomon caps classroom size at 18 students for all courses.

No. Individual courses within the Foundation are intended for artistic development and do not provide a diploma or certificate.

While the FIAD is designed to be taken in four consecutive quarters, the sections are modular and may be taken individually, based on availability. You can speak with an Admissions Advisor for more information regarding attending a single term of the FIAD.

The Foundation in Art & Design course of study is focused on foundational artistic growth and introductory skills. It is not designed to produce production-ready artists but rather to help students build essential skills and prepare for further education in digital arts.

Yes. 12 of the 13 courses within the FIAD, totaling 35 credits, are transferable to Gnomon’s BFA degree program. For students who successfully complete the FIAD and are later accepted into the BFA, the transfer credits significantly reduce the overall BFA tuition cost—an amount that exceeds the cost of FIAD tuition. This effectively makes FIAD a cost-neutral investment in the long term, and, for many students, it offers a more economical path toward a degree than attending community college prior to transferring into Gnomon’s BFA program.

For more information and guidance specific to your situation, contact admissions@gnomon.edu.

Since the Foundation in Art & Design is comprised of individual courses and is not a program, Federal Student Aid is not available. However, private education loans are available and can cover tuition and estimated living expenses. Interested students may contact the Financial Aid Office for more details.

Scholarships are not currently available for the Foundation.

FIAD students have access to a range of valuable resources, including academic mentorship, Gnomon’s specialized library with industry-focused materials, extensive learning resources, and professional-grade workstations that mirror those used in top studios. Perhaps the greatest resource, however, is immersion in Gnomon’s community of instructors and full-time program students—giving FIAD students the chance to learn from industry professionals and connect with peers who share their passion, providing insight, inspiration, and networking opportunities as they start their journey.