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At Pan-African Innovation City's Skill Center, we are dedicated to transforming the future of the workforce by providing world-class vocational training across a wide range of industries. Our center is more than a training hub; it’s a thriving community of professionals and learners dedicated to mastering the essential skills that drive innovation, economic prosperity, and sustainable development. With our team of highly qualified Principals and Fellows, each department at The Skill Center offers unparalleled expertise and hands-on learning opportunities. Whether you are passionate about the arts, skilled trades, or technology, The Skill Center is your gateway to career success.

  • Departments and Programs

    • Our programs are structured as comprehensive training departments, each led by a Principal who oversees a team of Fellows—experts in specialized fields. Together, they ensure that our students receive top-tier education and practical experience across a range of vocational disciplines.

New Trainees Information

Our Skill Center offers a 12-month immersive training experience, designed to equip you with the skills that will shape your future. With rolling admissions, you can join at any time and start building your expertise in the arts, skilled trades, or technology.

Ready to transform your career? Join our community of learners and future leaders.

Become an Associate

Housing

We offer comfortable on-campus housing for all trainees, ensuring a convenient and supportive environment where you can focus on learning and growth.

Feeding

There are several restaurants and cafes located on campus, providing a variety of meal options to keep you energized throughout your training.

Tuition and Costs

Our programs are competitively priced, ensuring that world-class training is accessible. Payment plans and scholarships may also be available to assist trainees with financial support.

Student Life

Life at The Skill Center goes beyond the classroom. Our campus hosts numerous activities and events, offering trainees the chance to engage in a vibrant community, build relationships, and develop skills beyond their technical training.

Auto Repair Services

Led by the Principal, Auto Repair Services, this department specializes in everything from engine repair to auto electronics. Students train under Fellows who focus on areas such as:

Engines and Transmissions

Car Electrical Systems

Collision and Body Work

Painting and Finishing

Graduates leave with the technical and problem-solving skills necessary to excel in modern automotive careers.

Fashion Design

Under the leadership of the Principal, Fashion Design, this department empowers aspiring designers to create, market, and sell innovative fashion pieces. Fellows guide students in:

Pattern Making and Sewing

Textile and Fabric Selection

Fashion Illustration and Design

Fashion Marketing and Merchandising

Our graduates are equipped to succeed in the fast-paced world of fashion.

Music Programs

The Principal, Music Programs directs our renowned music training initiative. Students benefit from specialized instruction from Fellows in:

Vocal Training

Instrumental Training

Music Production and Engineering

Music Theory and Composition

This department prepares artists and producers for the dynamic music industry.

Woodwork Services

Led by the Principal, Woodwork Services, this department is dedicated to crafting excellence. Our Fellows provide expertise in:

Carpentry and Joinery

Furniture Making

Wood Finishing and Restoration

Cabinet Making

Graduates are equipped with the precision and craftsmanship needed to create high-quality wood products.

Fabrication Services

This department, headed by the Principal, Fabrication Services, offers cutting-edge training in:

Metal Fabrication

Plastic Fabrication

Glass Fabrication

3D Printing and CAD Design

Students gain hands-on experience with advanced fabrication techniques used in modern industry.

Plumbing Services

Under the guidance of the Principal, Plumbing Services, students are trained in all aspects of plumbing, from residential systems to advanced pipefitting. Fellows specialize in:

Residential Plumbing

Commercial Plumbing

Pipefitting and Steamfitting

Plumbing Maintenance and Repair

This program prepares graduates to handle complex plumbing challenges in any environment.

Electrical Services

Led by the Principal, Electrical Services, this department offers comprehensive training in electrical systems. Fellows provide expertise in:

Residential Electrical Systems

Commercial Electrical Systems

Industrial Electrical Systems

Electrical Installation and Maintenance

Graduates become certified electricians ready to enter the workforce.

HVAC Services

Our Principal, HVAC Services oversees training in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. Students work with Fellows who specialize in:

Heating Systems

Ventilation Systems

Air Conditioning Systems

Refrigeration Systems

With practical training in real-world scenarios, students are prepared for a variety of HVAC careers.

Masonry Services

Led by the Principal, Masonry Services, this department focuses on foundational construction skills. Fellows train students in:

Bricklaying

Stone Masonry

Concrete Work

Tile Setting

This program provides the essential skills needed for a career in construction and masonry.

Media Production

Headed by the Principal, Media Production, this department immerses students in the creative and technical aspects of media production. Fellows teach:

Video Production and Editing

Audio Production and Editing

Graphic Design and Animation

Photography and Visual Arts

Our students become multimedia experts ready to make an impact in the digital world.

Printing Operations

Under the leadership of the Principal, Printing Operations, this department provides in-depth training in both traditional and digital printing methods. Fellows specialize in:

Digital Printing

Offset Printing

Screen Printing

Print Quality Control

Graduates leave with the technical expertise to thrive in the printing industry.

Personal Vision, Expansive Pursuit

SAIC's graduate program gives you the freedom and the structure to pursue your vision in expansive ways—across disciplines and through rigorous critique. As you choose among a variety of seminars, courses, and graduate advisors to design your study path, you’ll advance your practice and evolve your interests.

Graduate Degrees and Certificates

SAIC offers graduate pathways in studio, design, and academic fields, along with post baccalaureate certificates and a low-residency MFA.

Explore Graduate Programs
See Post-Bac and Certificates

#2 Fine Arts Program in the U.S.

U.S. News & World Report
Best Grad Schools

#2

Studio Tour: Mac Pierce

The Graduate Experience

How do SAIC's graduate students push their work forward? According to Mac Pierce, it's all about the unique "mind meld" that occurs when diverse talents and knowledge come together within the community.
Learn More About the Graduate Experience

Four Things You Should Know

  • Making Begins and Ends With Meaning
  • We Cross Disciplines
  • Rigorous Critique Is Key
  • Creative Kinship Is Your Future

Making Begins and Ends With Meaning

At SAIC, we believe that meaning and making are inseparable. As artists, designers, and scholars, we are driven by ideas—our responses to the worlds of art and science, to social justice issues, to personal identity and community. As we research and refine our ideas in the process of making, we also discover new ways of making. Every aspect of life and learning here is informed by this basic truth.

Our Faculty Are Practitioners and Mentors

SAIC’s professors are acclaimed artists, designers, and scholars who are both your mentors and your partners. They offer one-on-one mentorship as you develop your projects. They connect you with opportunities and help guide your journey. From thesis coursework to collaborations beyond SAIC, you'll benefit from their experience, guidance, and critique.

Meet the faculty

Our Facilities Are Metal

SAIC's facilities are unmatched, providing you with access to world-class resources for creating work. From advanced technology labs to interdisciplinary maker spaces and multiple galleries, our facilities support your creative exploration and experimentation.

"SAIC is like a theme park for artists! I've used the 280 Wood Shop, Printmedia Lab, and the Flaxman Library, where I was able to see a 16mm Ed Ruscha film projected just for me." - Daniel Salamanca (MFA 2019)

Libraries and Special Collections

Students have access to the rich collections of both the Art Institute museum and the School. Our collections include traditional library and archival collections along with nontraditional, interdisciplinary, multimedia, and site-specific resources.

John M. Flaxman Library

The John M. Flaxman Library is the ultimate campus study hub. You have access to hundreds of thousands of books, magazines, movies, and sound recordings that illuminate contemporary and historic art and design practices. Our staff provides personalized research support.

Roger Brown Study Collection

This is a house museum where you can dive into a rare collection of objects assembled by SAIC alum Roger Brown. An intimate place of wonder, the museum features works by Chicago Imagists, folk and tribal art, objects from popular culture, textiles, furniture, travel souvenirs, and even a Ford Mustang in the garage.

Joan Flasch Artists’ Book Collection

Explore a collection of more than 11,000 artists' publications, ranging from books and zines to digital works and audio recordings, created by local, national, and international artists. With collections dating back to the 1960s, the Joan Flasch Artists’ Book Collection offers an unparalleled resource for in-depth research.

Fashion Resource Center

Immerse yourself in the center's extensive visual, print, and fabric libraries, holding physical garments and accessories. Explore innovative designs from the late 20th and 21st centuries and engage with the most exciting achievements in the field.

Video Data Bank

Founded at SAIC in 1976, this is the leading resource in the US for video by and about contemporary artists. You'll have access to more than 6,000 titles by more than 600 video artists, all available for research and study—a rare opportunity to discover the spectrum of video as a contemporary art form.

Angel Otero Defies Definition

“Painter” is the description that Angel Otero (BFA 2007, MFA 2009) identifies with most, but using that title has the unintended effect of singling him out. Though Otero has exhibited at museums like the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, is featured in the permanent collection at the Guggenheim, and has earned the attention of the New York Times, when it comes to his accolades, he’s both humble and occasionally exasperated by the art world’s insistence on categorizing creators.

Explore
  • The Artist
  • The Inspiration
  • The Work
  • The Process
  • What Is This?
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The Artist

Angel Otero

From paintings to sculptures and beyond, Angel Otero’s (BFA 2007, MFA 2009) work defies definition. The artist’s innovative dried oil paint compositions smash together colors, textures, and focal points—almost daring viewers to discern a hierarchy. But Otero’s work—with its bold, colorful, distinct point of view—speaks for itself.

Image Credit: Greg Stephen Reigh (BFA 2013)

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Get Your Degree in

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Don’t just dream it, design it.

Graphic design isn’t just about creating pretty pictures – it’s a powerful force shaping our world, from physical spaces to virtual landscapes.  Using your creativity to drive impactful change, mastering emerging technologies, and expressing yourself through the power of visuals. That’s the exciting world of graphic design waiting for you.  Our 100% onlineBachelor of Science in Graphic Designwill equip you with the skills and knowledge to thrive in this dynamic field.

The Student Experience

Through hands-on projects and expert instruction, you’ll master:

  • Experiential Design:Craft immersive experiences that engage users on multiple levels.
  • Digital Image Making:Elevate your visuals with cutting-edge techniques and software.
  • Motion Design:Bring your ideas to life with captivating motion graphics.
  • Innovative & Immersive Art:Explore the boundaries of design and push creative limits.
  • Drawing for Designers:Develop a strong foundation in drawing and visual communication.
  • Photography in Design:Capture stunning visuals and integrate them seamlessly into your projects.
  • Concepts in Advertising:Understand the psychology and strategy behind effective advertising.
  • Digital Marketing & Social Media:Master the art of connecting with your audience online.
REQUEST INFO

Your Graphic Design TechKit®

Your Graphic Design Techkit®

Elevate your creative journey with the essential TechKit for online graphic design. This carefully curated bundle empowers you to bring your ideas to life with precision, portability, and professional-grade tools.

Hardware Designed for Creative Expression:

  • Apple MacBook 36GB 1TB SSD M3:Experience seamless performance, stunning visuals, and ample storage capacity for creative projects – all packaged in a powerful, portable device.
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) 256 GB & Apple Pencil Pro:Sketch, draw, and illustrate with incredible precision and responsiveness, unlocking new dimensions for your design process.
  • Protective Case + Tablet Clamp:Keep your iPad secure and transform it into a versatile workstation.
  • Magnus Photo/Video Tripod:Achieve stable shots for photography and video projects.
  • Pro Blade Transport SSD 4TB:Store and transfer massive design files with exceptional speed and security.
  • Connectivity Hub:Ensure convenient connection and expand your workspace functionality with ease.
Software Suite to Fuel Your Imagination:
  • Adobe Creative Cloud:Access the ultimate toolkit for graphic design, illustration, photography, video editing, and digital asset management. Unleash your potential with industry-leading applications.
  • MS Office:Master essential productivity applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, ensuring you’re equipped for effective project management and client communication.
*The specific types of equipment and their details included in our TechKits may change without prior notice. To ensure you receive the most accurate information about the current TechKit specifications, please confirm the details with your Admissions Representative.
REQUEST INFO

Financial Aid&Scholarships

We understand that higher education is an investment, and we’re committed to helping you navigate your options. Financial Aid is available to those who qualify, and can include federal and private student loans, military benefits, grants and scholarships. Our dedicated Financial Aid team can help guide you through the process.

SUCCESS STORIES

Wondering where a degree from The Los Angeles Film School can take you?

At The Los Angeles Film School, our committedCareer Developmentteam doesn’t just guide you,they champion you. From resume writing and interview prep to internships and industry connections, we’re with you every step of the way, helping you navigate the exciting and challenging path to success.

Did you know?Oscar®-winning sound designer Phillip Bladh started his journey right here.Join our legacy of alumniwho have worked on Oscar®-winning films, GRAMMY®-nominated albums, and multi-platinum records.

Ready to take that first step?Fill out the form and discover more about our career support, the incredible success stories of our alumni, and how your journey in the entertainment industry starts right here.

  • By submitting this form, you give The Los Angeles Film School your consent to contact you via phone, email and/or text using automated technology at the information above, including your wireless number, if provided, regarding educational services. Please note that you are not required to provide this consent to receive educational services.