Foundation year in applied Arts / Design
Foundation Year in Applied Arts & Design Overview
Explore the fundamentals of applied arts
LISAA’s Foundation Year in Applied Arts & Design is a multidisciplinary one-year program that introduces students to the major fields of creative practice: graphic design and motion design, interior architecture and design, animation, fashion, and visual creation.
Designed as a year of exploration, experimentation and development, the program helps students strengthen their creativity, refine their visual awareness, and build strong artistic, cultural and technical foundations.
Through studio-based projects, workshops and core courses, students progressively develop critical thinking, creative autonomy and the ability to observe, research, design and present ideas with confidence.
Build a strong personal and professional direction
Throughout the year, students are supported in shaping their academic and creative path.
Starting from a shared foundation of methods and knowledge, they explore multiple areas of applied arts before gradually identifying their strengths, interests and future specialization.
This progressive approach allows them to better understand creative professions, refine their ambitions and build a strong portfolio for further studies.
One Foundation Year, multiple approaches depending on the campus
Depending on the campus, the Foundation Year follows one of two complementary academic approaches.
In Paris: an exploratory and multidisciplinary foundation year
In Paris, the program is designed as a broad introduction to the different disciplines of applied arts. Students discover a wide variety of creative practices before choosing the path that suits them best.
The year encourages experimentation and helps students make informed decisions about their future specialization.
In Nantes, Rennes and Strasbourg: an integrated design pathway
On these campuses, the Foundation Year is designed as the first year of the Bachelor’s curriculum.
Students progressively build their skills while preparing for direct entry into Year 2 of their chosen program, subject to successful completion of the year.
A year to experiment, choose and move forward
Whichever campus they choose, students share the same objective: developing their creativity, methodology and artistic identity while building the confidence to move forward in a creative academic and professional journey.
Please note: This Foundation Year is taught entirely in French and is therefore only available to students with a sufficient level of French proficiency.
Not so for Strasbourg: the Hybrid path is open for English speakers with a limited knowledge of French
Located in the heart of Paris’s 13th arrondissement, LISAA Paris offers a vibrant creative environment with photo and video studios, advanced digital equipment and dedicated workshop spaces.
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Located in the Champ de Mars district, LISAA Nantes offers a dynamic learning environment with close mentoring and personalized support, encouraging both professional and personal development.
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Founded in 1995, LISAA Rennes is known for its collaborative teaching approach, strong creative culture and close links with industry professionals.
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LISAA Strasbourg combines an international outlook, a human-scale campus and innovative project-based teaching in a welcoming and creative environment.
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The program in Paris
The program in Nantes
The program in Rennes
The program in Strasbourg
Admission requirements
Applicants must hold a Level 4 qualification, a high school diploma (Baccalaureate), a DAEU, or an equivalent qualification (including foreign diplomas).
How to apply
Applications to LISAA are made outside Parcoursup and remain open until the end of September 2026, subject to availability.
Admission is based on an interview and portfolio review.
The interview lasts approximately 45 minutes and is based on the portfolio prepared by the applicant.
We place particular importance on the applicant’s personality, motivation, curiosity, openness, and ability to engage in discussion and reflect on creative work.
Admission results are communicated within 48 hours.
Applications open from October to August for a September intake.
Applications are reviewed within 3 weeks maximum after receipt of a complete application.
Registration remains possible until the start of the academic year, subject to availability.
Late enrolment may exceptionally be accepted up to two months after the start of the program, following review of the applicant’s ability to catch up with missed coursework.
For more information, please visit the dedicated admissions page.
Tuition Fees
Full tuition fees and related costs are available on the dedicated fees page.
The Foundation Year in Applied Arts & Design is designed to provide students with the artistic, cultural and methodological foundations required to build their future in the creative industries.
Through a multidisciplinary approach, the program develops a strong core of creative skills while helping each student define their visual language, creative sensibility and personal approach.
Develop artistic and technical foundations
Students learn how to observe, analyze and represent the world through drawing, life drawing and composition.
They develop an understanding of essential visual concepts including contrast, light, value, space, scale and structure.
At the same time, they explore color theory and experiment with a range of media and techniques, progressively developing their own artistic expression.
Build a creative methodology
The program introduces students to creative project methodology, from research to final development.
They learn how to define an intention, develop a concept, and enrich their practice through artistic, cultural and historical references.
This process helps students place their work within a broader context while developing critical thinking.
Explore contemporary tools and practices
Students discover essential digital tools for creative practice and are introduced to graphic design software, including the Adobe Creative Suite and, depending on the campus, 3D software.
They also explore the major fields of applied arts in order to better understand the practices and careers they may pursue later.
Develop transferable skills
Throughout the year, students strengthen their autonomy, organization and ability to present their projects both visually and verbally.
They learn how to structure their work, collaborate effectively, and progress within the expectations of higher education in art and design.
A teaching approach tailored to each campus
In Paris: an exploratory approach focused on orientation
Teaching emphasizes multidisciplinary practice, industry talks and cross-disciplinary workshops, offering students a broad overview of creative disciplines and helping them make informed decisions about their future path.
The year progressively supports the development of a strong portfolio, particularly for competitive entry processes and further study applications.
In Nantes, Rennes and Strasbourg: an integrated design pathway
The program is embedded within the Bachelor’s curriculum and prepares students directly for continued study at LISAA.
It focuses on building practical skills, project methodology and tool mastery, allowing students to progress toward direct entry into Year 2 of their chosen program, subject to validation.
- Courses taught by faculty members and professional practitioners who are experts in their field
- Studio workshops, both collaborative and independent
- Individual and group project work
- Individual academic mentoring and personalized guidance on orientation
- Workshops, hands-on projects and practical learning situations
- Industry talks led by working professionals
- Campus-specific modules, including preparation for competitive entrance exams where relevant
- Complementary learning formats, including e-learning modules, particularly for foreign languages
- Continuous assessment
- End-of-semester exams
- Cross-disciplinary workshop
- Assessment following the intensive workshop period
- Final academic jury: students present their end-of-year project before members of the teaching team, along with a curated selection of their strongest work produced throughout the year
There is currently no Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) available for this program.
This program does not currently offer formal pathways with other programs.
After completing the Foundation Year, students may continue their studies in applied arts programs at LISAA or at other institutions, depending on their academic project and level.
Continuing studies at LISAA
Depending on the campus and successful completion of the year, students may progress into LISAA Bachelor’s programs in the following fields:
- Graphic Design & Motion Design
- Interior Architecture & Design
- Fashion
- Animation
In Nantes, Rennes and Strasbourg: an integrated Foundation Year
The program is fully integrated into the Bachelor’s curriculum. Subject to validation, students may progress directly into Year 2 of their chosen specialization.
In Paris: an open and exploratory Foundation Year
Depending on the student’s level and academic project, the program may lead to entry into Year 1 or Year 2 of the chosen specialization.
Opportunities beyond LISAA
The Foundation Year also prepares students to apply to leading art and design schools, or to continue their studies at other institutions in France or internationally.
This preparatory program is designed to support orientation and access to higher education in art and design.
Students typically continue their studies toward disciplines such as:
- Graphic Design
- Spatial Design
- Product Design
- Fashion
- Animation
- Art Direction
