First-Year Experience

Your first year at CCAD will help you develop skills that will take you from a creative who thinks they belong at an art and design school to one who knows they do.

In CCAD's First-Year Experience, you'll be introduced to the physical and digital tools you’ll use throughout your time in college. You’ll ask yourself and others meaningful questions through processes like critiques that support your growth as an artist and designer. You’ll collaborate with your classmates to deepen your problem solving skills. And you’ll take classes that will help sharpen your critical thinking and communication abilities.

By the end of your first year, you’ll know how to track a creative idea from start to finish, how to go deeper into the process of making (not just focus on the finished product!), and how to look for multiple solutions to a problem. And all of that will make you a better, more confident artist or designer.

First-year Student Work

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Xiera Younce

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Mya Reiners

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Maggie Burris

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Alex Hawkins

Spaces to Make

The places where you’ll first make your mark at CCAD.

3 D Park Design 03 — Our Mac and PC computer labs provide you with the latest, professional-grade software—and our instructors will teach you how to use tech to make work that expresses your unique point of view.

CORE Andrew Crit4 — Learn how to give and get helpful feedback on your work through critiques.

CCAD FY Spaces To Make2 — Make your vision a reality with our Tad Jeffrey FabLab, which has a variety of tools for you to use, from large laser cutters to 3D printers, a walk-in spray booth to a state-of-the-art wire bender.

First-year Faculty

Meet some of the people who will help you along your creative and professional journey.

Dr. Michael Kellner

Director of First Year

Katie Davis

Assistant Professor

Tom Gattis

Professor of First-Year Experience

Andrew Mccauley

Associate Professor

Adjunct Faculty

Course Spotlight

2D Creative Practices

Introduction to creative design using 2D, 3D, and 4D approaches. Learn the basics of color theory, how to create effective layouts and develop effective solutions while using traditional and digital tools.