Foundations
FOUNDATIONS PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Foundations Program at RMCAD: Where Creative Careers Begin
At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, our Foundations program offers more than just basic art and design skills—it’s a launch pad for your creative future. We believe in building skills systematically, which is why our curriculum guides you through artistic expression and design thinking.
Starting with fundamental principles, you’ll learn through increasingly creative strategies, advancing both traditional techniques and contemporary digital practices. Through our carefully crafted 18-24 credit curriculum, you’ll develop both the technical abilities and critical thinking skills essential for today’s creative professionals.
FOUNDATIONS COURSE DETAILS
Core Program Elements:
Design Thinking & Research Foundations
Your journey begins with our Studio Seminar, and introduction to thinking like a creative professional. You will develop research strategies that will inform your future work. Plus, you will join a diverse community of creative minds, learning how to collaborate and think critically about art + design.
Building 2D Excellence
You will learn to compose visually striking work while developing observational drawing skills. Through dedicated study, you’ll learn color theory and its practical applications, explore figure drawing and anatomy, and become proficient with industry-standard digital tools. This comprehensive approach ensures you’ll have the technical foundation needed for your creative work.
Exploring New Dimensions
You will learn to think in three dimensions by working with diverse materials and fabrication techniques. Some students may continue their exploration into time-based media, creating work that moves and engages through sequence and motion.
RMCAD offers classes year-round in both on-campus and online delivery formats. At RMCAD, we believe that online learning is an important part of the overall college learning experience. To provide students multiple scheduling options, diverse learning modalities, and experience in the virtual environment, all on-campus students are required to take part in some online education.
*This section does not include all courses for this program.
Foundations Courses*
FD 1020
2D Design: Elements + Principles
(3 Credits)
FD 1120
Topics in Color
(3 Credits)
FD 1235
Observational Drawing
(3 Credits)
FD 1370
Life Drawing I
(3 Credits)
FD 1600
Studio Seminar: Methods of Inquiry
(3 Credits)
FD 2130
3D Design: Space + Materiality
(3 Credits)
FD 2220
Time-based Media
(3 Credits)
Foundation Studies educates students in the development of creative studio practice by fostering individualized and collaborative learning that emphasizes cultural engagement, process, critical thinking, and visual literacy.
SKILLS YOU'LL LEARN
Communication
Technical Skills
Visual Strategies
Problem-Solving
Critical Thinking
TECH + TOOLS
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Premiere
- Laser cutter and engraver (campus only)
- Woodshop tools (campus only)
- And more
Foundations Stories
Exploring Mixed Media: Combining Materials and Techniques
Looking to expand your horizons while experimenting with different forms of art in the process? If so, mixed media artwork may be worth exploring. Not only does mixed media art allow you to draw on a
Artistic Collaboration: Creating Together
As an artist, you may feel that you create some of your best work when you’re alone. After all, creativity can be both deeply personal and emotional. And though there’s certainly nothing wrong with working
The Science of Composition: Understanding Visual Balance
Understanding visual balance is a skill that can take a photographer’s work from novice to advanced with the help of proper guidance and technique. Whether it’s out in the field practicing the rule of thirds
ACCREDITATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Foundations Program at RMCAD?
The Foundations Program is a structured curriculum designed to provide students with essential art and design skills, including technical abilities and critical thinking, as a foundation for their creative careers.
What is the purpose of the Foundations Program?
The program prepares students for advanced studies in art and design by building a strong foundation in both traditional techniques and contemporary digital practices.
What skills will I develop in the Foundations Program?
Students will develop skills in communication, technical proficiency, visual strategies, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
How many credits are required to complete the Foundations Program?
The program requires 18-24 credits, depending on the student’s area of focus and degree requirements.
What is included in the Design Thinking & Research Foundations?
Students start their journey with a Studio Seminar, focusing on developing creative research strategies, collaboration skills, and critical thinking about art and design.
What is the significance of learning 2D techniques in the program?
Students develop observational drawing skills, study color theory, and learn figure drawing and anatomy, while also gaining proficiency in industry-standard digital tools.
How does the Foundations Program teach 3D thinking?
The program includes working with diverse materials and fabrication techniques, enabling students to explore three-dimensional design and, for some, time-based media like motion and sequence.
How does the Foundations Program prepare me for a creative career?
The program combines technical skills, critical thinking, and design strategies to build a solid foundation that supports advanced coursework and professional growth in creative fields.
What is "Design Thinking" and why is it important?
Design Thinking is a creative problem-solving process that emphasizes research, iteration, and collaboration, providing a framework for innovative solutions in art and design.
Will I learn digital tools in the Foundations Program?
Yes, students will become proficient with industry-standard digital tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere. They are integrated into coursework alongside traditional techniques.
Can the Foundations Program help me explore different creative disciplines?
Yes, the program introduces students to a variety of art and design techniques, allowing them to experiment with and discover their areas of interest.
How does the Foundations Program support collaboration and community?
Students join a diverse community of creative minds, fostering collaboration and shared learning experiences that enhance their understanding of art and design.
