Laguna College of Art and Design

Infobox_University
name =Laguna College of
Art and Design
native_name =
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motto =
established =1961
type =Private
endowment =
staff =
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principal =
rector =
chancellor =
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students =380
undergrad =350
postgrad =30
doctoral =
city =Laguna Beach
state =California
country =United States
campus =Suburban
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free =
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colours =
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nickname =LCAD
affiliations =
website =http://www.lagunacollege.edu/

Laguna College of Art and Design (commonly referred to as LCAD) is an excellent private college located in Laguna Beach, California. LCAD has a small student body with an average enrollment of 360 students. The college offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts with focuses on a number of specific art fields, these include Painting and Drawing, Illustration, Animation, Graphic Design, and Game Art. A Minor is available in Sculpture. The school also offers a number of hybrid programs, allowing students to take classes from two majors to further broaden their area of study.

In 2006, the college added a graduate program leading to a Master of Fine Arts in Painting, with an emphasis on representational and figurative art, the only one of its kind in the western U.S. Satellite MFA facilities, and mentors who are practicing artists and teachers, are in nearby Los Angeles. Also in 2006, a formal partnership was created with the Florence Academy of Art in Italy. Students may take summer classes in Florence and obtain credit toward their degree at LCAD.

The college is well known for its infusion of liberal arts in the professional training provided students and for the integration of technology throughout (see below). The campus is wireless, meaning students may connect with the internet anywhere on site. All students have laptop computers. Visual communication studios have the latest computers and software relevant to the fields of study. Most of the faculty have industry connections. There is a career placement office that keeps students and alumni notified of internships, commissions, and part- and full-time employment opportunities. An Industry Open House is held each spring, attended by representatives from galleries, publishers, graphic design offices, and animation and game art industries.

Facilities

The main campus has thirteen teaching studios, a library, a gallery, an information technology lab, and administrative offices. The main campus is situated in Laguna Canyon, one and one-half miles from Main Beach and is on four acres in a beautiful, wooded setting surrounded by the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. South Campus is located about one mile (1.6 km) south in Laguna Canyon. MFA students and BFA seniors are allowed to use designated student studios, of which there are five on campus, and many more at South Campus. South Campus features five classrooms/teaching studios, senior painting, animation and illustration studios, MFA studios, and three live/work units.

Faculty

Laguna College of Art and Design key academic staff is as follows:

*Vice President for Administration and Dean of Liberal Arts - Dr. Helene Garrison
*Vice President of Administration and Dean of Fine Arts - Jonathan Burke
*Chair of the MFA Program - Perin Mahler
*Chair of Sculpture - Raymond Persinger
*Academic Technology Manager - Daniel Jensen
*Chair of Illustration - Michael Savas
*Chair of Graphic Design - Catharin Eure
*Chair of Animation - David Kuhn
*Chair of Game Art - Sandy Appleoff
*Librarian - Peggy Cherry
*Director of Admissions - Mike Rivas
*Vice President Development - Patsee Ober
*Associate Director of Development & Alumni Relations - Tracy D. Otto
*Director, Career Services - Robin G. Fuld

Technology

There is a great amount of effort at Laguna College of Art and Design'" to keep the students with the most up-to-date software and hardware available. The campus facilities include a print lab, and six studios with massive computer power. Four of the technology studios are dedicated to Illustration and Graphic Design, with the other two studios dedicated to Animation and Game Art. There are special rooms for seniors working on special projects. "'Some of the hardware available for student use includes digital camera's, Wacom Intuos 3's, and as of March 2007 a loaner laptop for those who are in the process of getting their Apple laptop repaired. The school also provides wireless internet throughout, including their off-campus site south of the main campus.

There is also a great deal of software available for student use on the school computers including Maya 7 and 8, Adobe Premiere, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Microsoft Office, and Corel Painter 10. Students also receive, through the school, Corel Painter 10 at no cost to the student, and Adobe CS2 Suite with a deep student discount. In the future Laguna College of Art and Design hopes to be able to work out a deal with Microsoft and Symantec for student licensing of their respective programs.

The Laptop Program has been well received. Each student is required to have an MacBook Pro computer. Educational discounts are available. The IT Center helps in all aspects of purchasing, training, use of software, and repairs. The wireless campus aids faculty:student exchange and communication among students themselves.

Accreditation

The college is one of the few accredited by both the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). During the last accreditation inspection by WASC, the reviewing team gave several commendations. Among these are:

*"Notable among the examples was the high quality of the integrated liberal arts program that cuts across all majors. The team viewed this program as a unique example among professional colleges. Related to the accomplishments of the liberal arts program is an effective program in English and writing skills, and the integration of learning for all students through the Senior Capstone courses. The English and writing skills program was reported to be highly correlated to successful student communication skills. The team also found that the importance and effectiveness of the liberal arts program was widely accepted throughout the college community."
*"The College's integration of technology into the curriculum has had a distinctive impact on the institution's academic culture, and was viewed by the team as an exemplar of technology planning and integration."

External links

* [http://www.lagunacollege.edu Laguna College of Art and Design]
* [http://www.apple.com/education/profiles/laguna/ "Profile in Success: Laguna College of Art and Design"]