RISD|CE offers seven certificate programs for young adults. Students uncertain about committing to an entire certificate program may wait up to one year before declaring their intent and paying the $25 per semester fee retroactively. Courses may also be taken on an individual basis without enrolling in a certificate program. Students who have taken any of the required courses in the past year and whose instructor attests to their satisfactory completion of said course(s), can have those courses applied to their transcripts. Please note that courses applied to a certificate program retroactively are assigned a “P” or passing. Letter grades are only assigned to courses that apply to the program and that are taken after a student has declared candidacy. For more information, please call 401 454-6200.

>> download young adult certificate application

New! Certificate Program in Movie-Making (YM)
For courses applicable to the Movie-Making certificate program, look for “YM” in the “Applies to” statement at the end of the course description.

While telling a story using traditional live action movie-making can be complicated, this new certificate program in movie-making makes the process simple and fun. The program offers students hands-on learning as they shoot digital video, write characters, cut scenes and record sound effects and music, with the goal of producing original short films and eye-popping visual effects. These final projects can be shared as a video upload or on a home DVD player, and are the start of a strong show reel. In order to earn the RISD|CE Certificate in Movie-Making, students must complete five applicable courses within three years.

Certificate Program in Animation (YA)
For courses applicable to the Animation certificate program, look for “YA” in the “Applies to” statement at the end of the course description.

RISD|CE’s certificate program in animation gives students a glimpse of the industry and art that surround the study of animation. Participants in this program practice the craft with authentic tools and techniques that are both traditional (pencil and paper) and cutting edge (3D modeling software). Using these methods they create exceptional frame-by-frame movies that result from their study of figure drawing, character design, movement, storytelling, modeling, texturing and lighting. In order to earn the RISD|CE Certificate in Animation, students must complete five applicable courses within three years.

Certificate Program in Comic Art (YC)
For courses applicable to the Comic Art certificate program, look for “YC” in the “Applies to” statement at the end of the course description.

Comic books blend words and pictures, and it takes skill and practice to create this unique art form. This certificate program begins with foundation courses in drawing and illustration, which facilitate the development of the creative imagination. As they advance, participants learn to develop their own narratives and to render them as unique works of sequential art. Successful students complete the program with fine-tuned artistic literacy and original comic pages for their portfolio. In order to earn the RISD|CE Certificate in Comic Art, students must complete five applicable courses within three years.

Certificate Program in Fashion Design (YF)
For courses applicable to the Fashion Design certificate program, look for “YF” in the “Applies to” statement at the end of the course description.

RISD has a great reputation for producing up-and-coming fashion designers and likewise, RISD|CE strives to make the world of apparel accessible to a younger audience. This certificate program encompasses five courses that include instruction in design and sketching techniques as well as the basics of patternmaking, drafting, construction, sewing techniques and even fashion photography. Taken together, these courses assist students in the development of critical skills and techniques required for future study of any aspect of fashion design, and in the assembly of a strong design portfolio. In order to earn the RISD|CE Certificate in Fashion Design, students must complete five applicable courses within three years.

Certificate Program in Game Design (YG)
For courses applicable to the Game Design certificate program, look for “YG” in the “Applies to” statement at the end of the course description.

RISD|CE’s certificate program in game design teaches students the techniques and design principles required to create their own interactive worlds. Students in the program use industry-standard tools to create the user interface and modeling of complex imagined virtual realities -- including fully animated characters and detailed, multi-level environments -- while exploring such topics as character design, animation, texturing, lighting, level building and scripting. As the multi-billion dollar video game industry continues to grow, opportunities for game artists and designers are at an all-time high. In order to earn the RISD|CE Certificate in Game Design, students must complete five applicable courses within three years.

Certificate Program in Photography (PH)
For courses applicable to the Photography certificate program, look for “PH” in the “Applies to” statement at the end of the course description.

RISD|CE has long offered a number of creative photography courses in our Young Artist Program, and many of our students have been honored with Rhode Island Scholastic Art Awards for their photographs and portfolios. As a next step, we offer this five-course certificate program for students considering pursuing advanced studies and/or a future career in photography. In addition to traditional photography techniques, topics in the areas of digital photography and computer design prepare students for the innovative new frontiers of this exciting art form. Courses also focus on developing skills and techniques that assist young artists in building a comprehensive body of work for professional-looking portfolios. In order to earn the RISD|CE Certificate in Photography, students must complete five applicable courses within three years.

Certificate Program in Art School Preparation (AT)
It is never too early to begin the intensive preparation necessary to create a first-rate high school portfolio. Our Art School Preparation Certificate Program is designed for students interested in a future in visual art or design, and is intended to supplement (not replace) a traditional high school art program by making more advanced courses available. It focuses on developing skills and techniques in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and/or graphics through challenging projects that prepare students for the highly competitive world of art and design. In order to earn the RISD|CE Certificate in Art School Preparation, students must complete one course in each of the following five categories within three years. Note: Students may substitute one requirement with a course from another Young Adult Certificate Program.

GENERAL STUDIO + ART HISTORY

• Art Studio
• Art from Art
• Rebel Art: Voice of the People
• The Art of Ideas
• The Art of Picture Books
• Mixed Media

DRAWING STUDIOS

• Fundamentals of Drawing*
• The Portrait: Inner Essence + Outer Likeness
• Introduction to Figure Drawing*
• Fashion Illustration
• Sculptural Drawing*
• Figure Drawing II: Explorative Media*

2D DESIGN STUDIOS

• Architectural Mosaics
• Design Fundamentals from A to Z
• Color Fever!
• Design Challenge
• Designed to Rock*

PAINTING STUDIOS

• Painting Studio*
• Watercolor Studio: Painting with Translucence

3D DESIGN STUDIOS

• Introduction to Sculpture
• Ceramic Sculpture
• Carving Soapstone

*These courses are offered this semester.