The Academy of Art University, established in San Francisco in 1929 by Richard S. Stephens, a creative director with Sunset Magazine, was originally opened to teach Advertising Art. In a few years, a distinguished faculty of practicing art and design professionals was assembled and the school's philosophy was formulated: hire established professionals to teach future professionals. Today the university has close to 8,000 students, making it the largest private school of art and design in the country. Students now have the opportunity to pursue AA, BFA, MFA, and Certificate Programs in twelve different majors including Advertising, Animation & Visual Effects, Architecture (MFA only), Computer Arts – New Media, Fashion, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture & Design, Motion Pictures & Television, and Photography.
