ECV

ECV — Paris

Founded in the 1980s, ECV (École de Communication Visuelle) is a private school of applied arts with several campuses in France — Paris, Lille, Bordeaux, Nantes, Aix-en-Provence — with international openings as well. The Paris campus is the oldest and most important in the network.

Profile and organization

The school is structured around several pedagogical hubs, historically distinguished between graphic creation, digital creation (animation, video games) and digital design. The curriculum generally follows a preparatory or foundation year in applied arts, then a specialization at bachelor and master's level, with diplomas recognized by the State (titles listed in the RNCP) depending on the program — a point to verify program by program, as registrations evolve.

Disciplines

• Graphic design and art direction: visual identity, publishing, typography, packaging, advertising.
• 2D/3D animation and animated film: ECV is one of the French schools regularly cited in this field, with a production of graduation short films.
• Video games: game art, game design, level design.
• Digital design / UX-UI and digital communication.

Strengths and points of caution

The school claims a professionalizing approach: team projects, workshops, internships, work-study programs on certain courses, links with studios and agencies. As with any private school, it is advisable to compare tuition fees, consult graduates' portfolios, and attend open days before choosing a campus, as specializations are not all offered everywhere.