Learn more about ArtCenter's Cross-Dnrollment Program with Occidental College.
The primary objective of the Cross-Enrollment Program is to enhance learning opportunities available to students from ArtCenter, as well as those from Occidental College. This enhancement is achieved through enrollment in uniquely designated undergraduate-level courses offered at another institution, along with exposure to a different institutional culture and learning environment. Students who express interest in the Cross-Enrollment Program should contact their host schools to determine eligibility and to complete associated forms.
General Guidelines and Timeline
Friday, August 8- Thursday, September 11: Receipt and consideration of applications
- Occidental students will submit the cross-enrollment document provided by their registrar to ArtCenter. This document must be signed by the home institution.
- ArtCenter will only approve a seat if a class is already running, independently of the add Occidental students. ArtCenter will not approve any more than two seats for cross-enrolled students.
Monday, September 2- Thursday, September 11
- Enrollment Services will notify students of their acceptance to the program 2-3 weeks before the start of the term.
Guidelines
- Cross-Enrollment is only available for the spring and fall semesters.
- Students participating in the Cross-Enrollment Program pay the required tuition and fees at their home institution.
- Students must work with the Financial Aid offices in their home school to determine their eligibility for financial aid for courses taken at the cross-enrolled institution.
Approved Courses for Cross-Enrollment for Fall 2025
Type 1: Foundation / INT-111
INT-111-03 2:00pm-6:50pm F
INT-111-04 2:00pm-6:50pm M
Type 1 is a design studio introducing typography, its terms and history. Students study typographic structure with multiple exercises and projects: anatomy, typeface classifications, kerning, proportion/weight, letter spacing, nomenclature and understanding the differences between display type and text. Additional projects include explorations of body copy tone, legibility, meaning, and hierarchy. Type 1 serves as the primary typographic course fundamental to all future graphic design courses.
Materials of Art and Design / INT-158
INT-158-01 8:00am-12:50pm M
INT-158-02 8:00am-12:50pm T
INT-158-04 2:00pm-6:50pm M
INT-158-05 8:00am-12:50pm TH
INT-158-06 8:00am-12:50pm W
This foundation level class is dedicated to enhancing the student's understanding of the inherent characteristics of a variety of materials in order to explore their best applications for art or design projects. For this reason, assignments are experimental in an effort to discover innovative solutions to the development of form, structure and texture. Materials may include wood, plastics, plaster, metal and paper. Students broaden their understanding of creative problem - solving, originality, and analysis of visual information. Material covered includes the safe operation of woodworking and some metal-working machines, as well as techniques of mold-making, and material safety.
Rapid Prototyping / INT-201
INT-201-01 8:00am-12:50pm M
This class offers students insight into contemporary methods for design and manufacture. This gives the student a better understanding of how data drives form and, in turn, drives production. Course material is structured around hardware and software integration and how this applies to form. The syllabus covers rapid/advanced visualization, 3D modeling and prototyping.
Color Theory / INT-251-01
INT-251-01 8:00am-12:50pm T
Color Theory is a foundation level course covering all aspects of the use and application of color relating to, but not exclusive of visual arts practices. All areas of the subject will be covered, and assignments will be given based on the relevant topics presented and discussed in class. Various theories, ideas and rules relating to color will be discussed and, in many instances, applied to projects. Students will develop their own term project in an attempt to understand how they use color in their work and make any relevant adjustments or corrections.
Design 1 / INT-102A
INT-102A-01 8:00am-12:50pm W
INT-102A-02 8:00am-12:50pm M
INT-102A-03 2:00pm-6:50pm M
INT-102A-04 2:00pm-6:50pm W
INT-102A-06 8:00am-12:50pm TH
INT-102A-07 8:00am-12:50pm F
INT-102A-08 8:00am-12:50pm F
INT-102A-09 8:00am-12:50pm M
INT-102A-11 2:00pm-6:50pm M
INT-102A-15 8:00am-12:50pm M
This class establishes a solid foundation for the students’ expanding abilities as artists and designers. Problem solving processes, analytical thinking and craftsmanship are emphasized in compositional, grayscale, and color exercises. This course introduces key art and design principles and theories, in addition to contemporary and historical references. Design 1 also provides an introduction to common digital design tools alongside analog projects.
Lighting for Non-Photo Majors / INT-118
INT-118-01 2:00pm-6:50pm F
This is a photographic lighting course for non-photo majors. The class will cover various methods of lighting for photography to give students the ability to photograph their own work more effectively. Techniques for shooting products as well as copy work and photographing 2-dimensional pieces will be addressed. This course is open to degree students in all majors with the exception of photography.
Basics of Photo / INT-108
INT-108-02 2:00pm-6:50pm T
INT-108-03 2:00pm-6:50pm TH
This class provides an exceptional introduction to the world of photographic image making to art and design students not majoring in photography. Students first learn to use a manual camera, including aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Understanding a manual camera augments a student’s ability to use a digital single lens reflex camera, which are used for final projects. The class covers darkroom processes, such as contrast control, dodging / burning and interpretive printing enabling students to become more intuitive when working with Photoshop. Other skills address in-studio lighting and location shooting. Assignments are designed to encourage personal expression, conceptual thinking, and new ways of thinking about the meaning of images.
You can send inquiries for courses not listed to Jane McFadden, JaneMcFadden@artcenter.edu
Updated August 2025