School Recomendation

Concept Art

Bring stories to life by designing the worlds, characters, and props behind them. Our Concept Art program focuses on visual development for film, games, and animation.

Portfolio Prep: Include character and environment designs, prop concepts, sketches, and mood boards. Show strong drawing skills, imagination, and a variety of design ideas.

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The Art of

Concept Art

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FAQ – Concept Art Portfolio Development
Q: Who is this program for?
This program is designed for students in Grades 10–12 who plan to apply to concept art or entertainment design majors, as well as adults who want to build a career in the film, animation, or game industries. It’s ideal for students who love visual storytelling, world-building, and character creation.

Q: Why is a portfolio important for Concept Art?
Top entertainment design schools (such as ACCD, SVA, CCS) require a portfolio that demonstrates a student’s ability to design, imagine, and visualize ideas. Unlike fine art portfolios that focus only on technique, a concept art portfolio shows creativity, problem-solving, and design thinking — skills that studios look for when hiring.

Q: Do I need to be good at digital art before joining?
No. Students do not need to be advanced in Photoshop, Blender, or other tools before starting. The program covers both traditional fundamentals (drawing, perspective, anatomy) and digital techniques. Many successful portfolios combine both.

Q: What kinds of projects go into a Concept Art portfolio?

Character sheets with expressions, poses, and costume variations.
Environment sketches, both interior and exterior.
Vehicle, prop, or creature design with functionality callouts.
Keyframe illustrations that tell a story moment.
Process work showing design exploration and iteration.

Q: How long does it take to prepare a portfolio?
Most students spend 12–18 months building a competitive concept art portfolio. The time needed depends on prior drawing experience and target schools.

Q: How does NPC support my application?

Instructors with professional experience at studios like Disney, Netflix, Pixar, and Activision.
A structured curriculum that balances skill training and creative exploration.
Personalized feedback on portfolio pieces and guidance on meeting each school’s requirements.
Support with digital submission and application essays.

Q: How do I register for a course?
You can register online through our website or in person at any NPC Art Center location. During registration, you’ll choose your preferred program (Kids, Portfolio Development, or Adult)

Q: What payment options do you offer?
We offer:

Individual Course Plans (Monthly, Seasonal, or Yearly – paid upfront).
Membership Program (automatic monthly payments with added benefits like flexible scheduling and discounts).

Q: Can I try a class before committing?
Yes. Trial classes are available for new students. Parents can schedule a one-time session to see if the program is a good fit before enrolling in a longer plan.

Q: Can I switch between Individual Plans and Membership?
Yes. Parents and students may switch at the end of their current billing cycle. Our staff can help with the transition.

Q: What happens if NPC cancels a class?
If NPC must cancel a class (due to holidays, weather, or scheduling changes), we will reschedule the session or provide a credit/refund for the missed class.

Q: Are materials included in the course fee?
Students have two options:

Bring Your Own Materials – Parents can purchase and bring their child’s own sketchbooks, pencils, paints, or digital devices (depending on the program level).
NPC Materials Package – For a flat fee, NPC provides all necessary supplies for the term, including sketchbooks, drawing tools, paints, brushes, paper, and craft/STEAM materials.

Most families choose the NPC package for convenience, as it ensures students always have the right materials in class.

Q: What is included in the NPC Materials Package?
The package typically covers:

Drawing essentials (pencils, erasers, sharpeners, sketchbooks).
Painting supplies (watercolor, acrylics, brushes, palettes).
Mixed media and craft materials (colored paper, markers, clay, glue).
For older students (Grade 5+): specialty items such as fine liners, perspective grids, or beginner digital tools.

Q: Which option is recommended?
We strongly recommend the NPC Materials Package, especially for younger students. This ensures consistency across projects, avoids forgotten supplies, and allows instructors to design lessons around a standardized set of materials.

Q: Do materials stay at the school or go home?

Sketchbooks usually go home so students can continue practicing.
Shared craft/STEAM materials remain at NPC for class use.
For portfolio students, completed works may be stored safely at NPC until review or portfolio submission.