C1. Where should I start first?

(Information for all classes can be viewed on the link provided above)

If you are a beginning artist or looking to focus on concept design, we recommend a core focus of learning of these materials:

Beginner level: foundation courses, sketching, drawing, form understanding and drawing from life. (PBC, CABC, FND1,2,3, FIG RS, FIG1, DC1, HCBC, CH ZERO, AD1, AB1)

Intermediate level: Understanding of values, lighting, color, basic design fundamentals and digital medium (DC1,2, WB2, CH1, AD1,2, DC2, DC DLP, DC SP, DC VL, ENT1, AB1)

Advanced level: Focused learning of design sensibilities, aesthetic and shape language ( AD2, CH1, WB3, ENT2, AB1)

Visual Development and Animation Focus: (CDA1, CDA2, VDBC, VD1, VD2)

All times are posted as PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (PST)

C2. How do I register for classes, mentorships, uninstructed mentorships, and workshops?

To register, please visit: www.brainstormschool.com

Registration is based on a first come first serve system. A Student is considered registered when full payment is received. A registration fee will be applied to each class, workshops and Uninstructed Mentorships purchased.

*Please note, all manual payments for classes will be made using paypal. A $20.00 paypal fee will be applied.

*Please note, the email used to register will be used for correspondences between school and students. All times are posted as PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (PST)

C3. When is payment due?

Tuition in full is due during time of registration. Once registration is complete, you will receive a receipt email from StoreEnvy. This will serve as your confirmation for registration.

Processing Fee ($15.99)(: If you are seeing a charge for shipping fee, do no be alarmed, this is our processing fee charge. A transaction handling fee of $4.99 is also added.

Thank you

C4. What time zone are my classes?

All classes, flash / storm courses, workshops and mentorships are posted as PST PACIFIC STANDARD TIME

C5. What to expect from each course?

All classes for entertainment design are scheduled for 10 weeks/3 hours per session.
Assignments, Demo's, guest lecturers, reviews, critiques, paintovers along with solo & group activities taught by industry professionals.

C6. How many classes should I take each semester?

Very Serious: 3 classes
Serious: 2 classes
Liesure: 1 class All times are posted as PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (PST)

C7. Do you require portfolio review for all your classes?

“Foundation Courses”, “Digital classes” & “Workshops” - are open to everyone.
“Intermediate Courses” - are open to everyone, however some classes require prerequisite courses to be fulfilled or a portfolio review if a student wishes to skip taking the prerequisites.
“Advanced Courses” – all require portfolio reviews unless prerequisite courses are fulfilled.

*It is highly recommended to all new students to start with foundation in order to transition to the intermediate and advanced course with a solid footing. Please refer to section C1 for curriculum details.

C8. Can I skip the Prerequisites for the classes want to register?

In order to skip a prerequisite class, please submit your portfolio link (no attachments) to: info@brainstormschool.com Please add ‘pre-rec wave review’ in the subject.

**Please note, if your portfolio is rejected for a class that requires prerequisites, you have 2 options, (1) receive school credits for use in future term classes or (2) a cash refund.

Please refer to our policy below in regards to which option you choose.

C9. Are Brainstorm School courses accredited?

NO, Brainstorm School classes are non-accredited courses that focus purely on industry standards for building a student’s foundation on design fundamentals, and portfolio development. Brainstorm School does not offer direct job placement support; courses are designed for skill enrichment/artistic development.

C10. Will I be able to master the skill within 1 class?

Classes at Brainstorm School are full of valuable information formatted by the school and instructors to deliver the best experience and education possible. It is very common for students to retake a class 2~3 times to fully absorb the content. Students often acquire different skills and understanding through repeated experience. Students will not master the skills and understanding provided in the class the first time. It takes further practice and development to truly master the skills from each class. Brainstorm School also offers other learning opportunities with workshops and mentorships to speed up the learning curve.

*We highly recommend the following program in between terms: brainstormschool.com/content/mentorship

C11. Do you offer international student visa?

No, Brainstorm School does not offer student visa.

C12. Refunds, Transfers, Credit, Discounts Policy

To qualify requests need to be made in writing and according to the schedule below. Eligible Refunds, Transfers, and Credits will be granted with specified fees applied, if the request is made appropriate within the specified time frame. (Fees and schedule are listed below) ***Please note- No refunds, only transfers or credits will be allowed after the cut off which is 7 days prior to the registered term.

Refunds- A) 100% refund of tuition paid (with a 10% fee deduction) deadline: 21 days prior to term start

B.) 50% refund of tuition paid (with a 10% fee deduction) deadline: 7 days prior to term start

C.) 0% refunds within 7 days prior to the start of the registered term.

D.) Refund requests mades within 24 hours of registering (proof necessary): $25 fee(registration & storenvy fee not refundable)(does not apply 7 days prior to term start)

Transfers- There is a $50.00 fee per class of all transfers. (if there is space available) Transfer requests need to be made before 7 days of term start.

Credits Code- A credit code to use for future terms will be allowed with $50.00 fee deduction per class. ***Any request that is made within 7 days prior to the start of the term will not qualify for a refund, only credit code, or transfers.

E) For Installment payments refunds and credits same rules apply.

F) Installment payments cannot qualify for a transfer, only refunds, we will try to expedite the request. Installment plan students will need to purchase the new requested class. Installment payments on the requested class have to be set up before the installment deadline.

For all inquiries regarding refunds, credits and transfers, please email: info@brainstormschool.com

*Please note: All requests for refunds & credits can take up to 30 days to process. Transfers are usually within 1-3 days of request, if no pending payments are due.

C13. Substitute teachers

Please keep in mind that teachers are professionals and people, so professional or personal obligations may cause a delay in your class. In the instance an instructor needs to miss a class(es) we will add or extend the term for that class(es) . It is advised to allow about a two week window in each term to accommodate for such occurrences.

C14. Absences

Due to the nature of the courses, it is not possible to make-up missed classes. Since we cannot refund missed classes, we strongly advise student to make it to every session in order to get the most from each course.

C15. Do you offer sit-in's?

No, we currently do not offer sit in's.

C16. Brainstorm School Scholarship

Scholarships awarded to students before the start of each term, can only be used for the classes that are eligible for scholarship use.

*Please note that our scholarship policy is subject to change each school term.

*Full or partial scholarships cannot be used towards classes that have already been purchased. If a student already registered into a class, and is awarded a scholarship for the same course, then Brainstorm will provide school credits to be used in future term courses.

*The email used to register will be used for corresponding between school and students.

*Scholarship award registration fee: $25.99

C17. Brainstorm Mentorship Programs

3 Payment methods are available A) Wire transfer: $60 transfer fee will be added to total. Wire information available on request B) Paypal: paypal fee will be charged for processing (5%) C) Check: email us for information Installment payment: Email mentorship@brainstormschool.com for more information Refund: No refunds once the term program has started. 100% refund with request emailed to Brainstorm School up to 30 days prior to mentorship month. Anything within 30 days: 50% refund will be issued. *a refund processing fee of 10% will be applied. Refunds will only be for tuition. fees are not refundable Credit: no credits will be available for mentorship program Cancelation: cancellation request must be submitted to mentorship@brainstormschool.com. Processing will be based on time/date stamp of email. Materials: Students will be required to provide their own equipment (laptop, desktop, tablet, etc) and have a copy of Adobe Photoshop, in order to complete their assignments. If you decide to leave the mentorship, you will forfeit your spot and will not be able to return until the following mentorship another open spot is available, as your spot will be filled with one of our wait listed students. Students may also RSVP in advanced. *Your enrollment is not secure until payment is received IN FULL AND you received a confirmation email from Brainstorm School.

C18. Installment Payment Rules / Terms & Conditions

SUMMER 2024 TERM INSTALLMENT ENROLLMENT PERIOD: Ends APRIL 21, 2023 at 12 midnight PST

*Please note, our installment policy has been changed.

-50% due at registration + registration fee

-50% due at pay period #2 + installment fee of 5% of tuition cost will be added. This payment is due by May 13, 2024.
A strict late fee will be applied of $25.00 Enrollment will be on pause if there is a installment balance.

All payments must be due before start date of TERM (May 13, 2024)

We accept two forms of payment. CHECK or PAYPAL route * a 5% fee charge will be added

Use code listed on check out to begin the installment.. Plan expiration date changes from term to term, please inquire about cut off dates.

Payment schedule will be emailed to you shortly after registering. This payment is usually due a month prior to the start of term.

**There are no exceptions by paying the deposit you are agreeing to the following: All payment will be made in full by the agreed schedule above. Any late or no payment can result in cancellation of your class. No refunds once the term starts. If payments are delinquent, enrollment will be denied for any future classes, programs or events at any and all Brainstorm functions Late payment fee of $50

Refunds: a 25% refund policy per course before 21 days prior to term start date. Refunds follow the timeline terms outlined in c11. Refund fee applies to installment payments 1&2.**

**Installment payments cannot qualify for a transfer, only refunds, we will try to expedite the request. Installment plan students will need to purchase the new requested class. If it is beyond the installment deadline then we cannot reinstate or start a new installment plan. **

*** By purchasing through the installment route, with coupon code, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old or have parental consent at the time of purchase.

C19. Brainstorm Online Bootcamp / Terms & Conditions

Structure: 1.5-2 hours of feedback and critiques on prior weeks homework. Last 1-1.5 hours will be demo, lecture and assigning homework. Classes are live at the time of the class. Homework is approx. 10-15 hours a week. Class capacity: 40-50 students (depending on course type)

Tuition in full is due during time of registration. Once registration is complete, you will receive a receipt email from StoreEnvy. This will serve as your confirmation for registration. Installment payment plan does NOT apply to online bootcamp or online courses.

Standard refund policy applies

C20. Agreement / Disclaimer

Brainstorm reserve the right to showcase artwork for marketing purposes only. If you do not wish to have your artwork shared by Brainstorm, notify us by email info@brainstormschool.com.

As you register, you are agreeing to allow Brainstorm record material which may show your image/likeness.

C21. Code of Conduct-

We at Brainstorm aim to provide a safe learning environment. We understand that relationships with others are the basis of trust and a necessity for a wholesome community. We are all citizens of the world and members of our school community. We will participate in creating a positive school environment and have a zero tolerance of any misconduct such threatening acts to the health and safety of others. Students and Staff shall be respectful of school personnel, fellow students regardless of religious, national, ethnic, or social origin. We value diversity. We understand that a safe environment is important for the well-being of the school and art community as a whole. If you are ever feeling threatened, abused or harassed by a student, staff, or teacher please report it to the school directly at info@brainstormschool.com

C22. Class Extension

C23. Are classes recorded?

Most classes are recorded (unless noted on the particular class page) and recordings will remain online and can be watched via stream for the duration of the current term.

C24. Where are Brainstorm classes held?

All Brainstorm School classes are currently taking place online. We use an online platform called Gotomeeting to host the online classes.
We also use private Discord for a class hub. Approximately 2-5 days before your class starts you will be emailed an invitation link to join the class Discord.
The Gotomeeting link and other class information can be found there once you have been verified as a student in your class.

C25. Teachers Information

We try to be as accurate as possible when updating the website with the teachers bio and information. However In the entertainment design industry jobs can change quickly and teachers may shift from project or studio. We make every effort to update the website. However also note it our discretions to remove, add a or change a teacher for one of our classes. Students should register for the subject matter and not necessarily the instructor teaching.

FAQ