Pursue your passion for art and design with our intensive two-year degree in Graphic Design and Illustration. Graduates have the opportunity to enter a professional creative field or transfer seamlessly to a BFA program of their choice.
Based at Pratt’s Manhattan Campus, the two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree programs provide students with a stand-alone degree that prepares them to enter a professional creative field or continue their studies by transferring into a BFA program. The AAS programs begin with strong foundational courses that lead to advanced-level art and design courses. These courses, combined with a gen-ed component, create comprehensive degree curricula that mirror the first two years of a bachelor’s degree.
A Supportive, Close-Knit Environment
A strong focus on community and collaboration sets Pratt’s Associate Degree Department apart. Join a close-knit, supportive environment with intentionally small classes and personal attention from our outstanding faculty and staff.
The Full College Experience—at a Faster Pace
AAS students have access to the full Pratt college experience while pursuing a faster-paced, professionally focused degree. Most classes are held on the Manhattan Campus, immersing students in all that the city has to offer. AAS students also have access to facilities and programming on the Brooklyn campus, and many choose to live there and travel into Manhattan for their classes.
Learn on State-of-the-Art Tools
You will have access to traditional art and design studios, labs with cutting-edge hardware and software, and print facilities with endless possibilities. Learning resources.
Tour Pratt’s Associate Degree Department’s Manhattan headquarters to get a better feel for the close-knit, professional learning environment. Chair Susan Young personally leads every tour. ontact her at aos@pratt.edu to arrange a time.
Outstanding Faculty Prepare You for the Professional World
As some of New York’s leading art and design experts, our faculty have a deep passion for teaching the next generation of creative professionals. They will prepare you to enter your chosen field with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed.
The AAS in Graphic Design/Illustration is an industry-focused degree, with an emphasis on professional preparation. As you pursue your degree, you will work with real-world clients under the mentorship of our faculty.
Where Our Alumni Work
Alums address critical challenges and create innovative work that reimagines our world at a diverse selection of companies and institutions as well as their own studios and businesses.
Carter Gekiere, C3.NYC
Peg Smith, Media Brands
Jimmy Huber, Pratt Institute
Career Resources for Life
Students and alumni can schedule one-on-one appointments in Pratt’s Center for Career and Professional Development. These sessions pair you with a career strategist who can help develop your job/internship search strategies and life and business plans, as well as review résumés, cover letters, websites, and other marketing materials.
Thinking seriously about Pratt? Learn more about admissions requirements, plan your visit, talk to a counselor, and start your application. Take the next step.
Building your portfolio can be daunting. We’ll answer your questions and help you feel confident about the portfolio you submit with your application. Start building your portfolio, now.
Find yourself at home at Pratt: our residence halls, student organizations, athletics, exhibitions, events, the amazing City of New York and our Brooklyn neighbors. Check us out.
📢 The hottest topic just became a class at Pratt.
We’re excited to announce a new and innovative all-institute elective course coming to Pratt this Fall: ASIL-103P AI and Creative Practice! This course is taught by Professor Corinne Wight to foster an open discussion to deepen your understanding of how AI is affecting the creative field. It's a conversation you can't afford to miss!
#prattinstitute #AssociateDegree #aiintheclassroom #FutureOfArt
🎨 Opening Reception - "Light Travels"
Come celebrate the launch of this summer exhibition featuring paintings by recent department graduate, Usman Sadiq!
📅 Saturday, July 12th at 7:30pm
📍 Betty Bakery, 211 Prospect Park W, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Exhibition curated by Deb Caponera and on view from July 2 - August 13, 2025.
#prattinstitute #studentsuccess #AssociateDegree #openingreception #exhibitionopening #emergingartist
🎲 Get ready for a tabletop adventure! ✨
Join us for an exciting showcase of our graduating AOS Game Design students' best tabletop games! We're hosting our first ever showcase, open to the local NYC community!
🔗➡️RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pratt-aos-game-design-showcase-2025-tickets-1405952183829!
🗓️ Date: Saturday, June 28th from 1pm-4pm
📍 Location: Pratt Manhattan, 3rd Floor, 144 West 14th St, New York, NY, 10011
#prattinstitute #studentsucces #boardgames #tabletopgames #gameshowcase
Posters for a Cause | Every Choice, Every Action
Come shape our future together as we dive into this semester’s Posters for a Cause, curated by Professor Deb Caponera. Join us this Saturday for the opening reception and see how student voices are making a difference — one poster at a time!
📅 Date: Saturday, May 3rd
🕒 Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
📍 Location: Betty Bakery - 211 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn NY, 11215
#prattinstitute #studentsuccess #associatesdegree #PostersForACause #postersforacauseatpratt #shapingourfuturetogether #artwithpurpose #DesignMatters #designforchange
🎮 Attention game enthusiasts!! Join us this Saturday for an exclusive playtest featuring works in progress from young and talented game design students! Get a sneak peek at the latest creations, enjoy free lunch, and be part of the gaming community.
📍 Location: 144 W 14th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10011
⏰ Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
📅 Date: Saturday, April 12th
Spaces are limited, so be sure to register today! 👾 Open to ages 16+ (under 18 with parent or guardian).
#prattinstitute #pratt #studentsuccess #playtest #gamingcommunity
A new solo exhibition, "Springtime", featuring the paintings of AOS Graphic Design student Satchel McLaughlin is coming to Betty Bakery in Brooklyn. Join us tomorrow, April 5th at 7:30pm for the opening reception!
📍 Betty Bakery, 211 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Springtime Exhibition open from April 5th to April 26th.
#prattinstitute #studentsuccess #exhibition #openingreception
Our AOS Illustration students are showing and selling work at MoCCA Fest this weekend! Come by and say 👋👋!
📅 Date: Saturday & Sunday, March 15-16
📍 Location: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W 18th Street
🕒 Booth #: 168 & 169, from 11am-6pm
#moccafest2025 #illustration #moccafest #societyofillustrators #prattinstitute #prattassociatedegrees
We're thrilled to announce that the Associate Degree Department will be tabling at MoCCA Fest 2025 this year 🌟 Come check out our current student work and support a growing artist. Be sure to stop by tables 168 & 169 to say hi! 👋
📅 Date: Saturday & Sunday, March 15-16
📍 Location: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W 18th Street
🕒 Booth #: 168 & 169, from 11am-6pm
#prattinstitute #studentsuccess #moccafest2025 #artconvention
Ready to dive into the exciting and captivating world of art? Don't miss our upcoming Open House and Information Session where we’ll share insights about our associate programs, campus life, and how you can become part of our community! Whether you’re a prospective student or just curious about what we offer, we’d love to see you joining us.
🗓 Date: Saturday, March 8th, 2025
📍 Location: 144 W 14th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10011
🕒 Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am EST
💻 RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pratt-associate-degree-department-open-house-info-session-2025-tickets-1256866735239
#prattinstitute #studentsuccess #associatesdegree #openhouse #informationsession
The AAS program is a preprofessional degree program providing the student with the first two years of a four-year bachelor of fine arts course of study. Upon completion, students graduate with an AAS degree and have the option of entering an arts profession or applying for transfer into a four-year BFA program at Pratt or another school of their choice. The program offers a strong foundation, advanced-level art and design courses, and a liberal studies component, all combined to create a comprehensive transfer degree.
