Autograf

What Autograf does

Autograf is a private French higher education institution founded in 1987 in Paris, specializing in design and applied arts education. The school operates from a single Paris campus in the 20th arrondissement (35 rue Saint Blaise) and offers a vertically integrated portfolio spanning preparatory classes (Prépa Art et Design, Prépa Architecture), a common foundational year, Bachelor degrees (Design Graphique & Digital, Design d'Espace, Manga et Animation Franco-Japonais, Artiste 3D, Jeux Vidéo et Animation 3D Franco-Japonais), Mastère programs (Architecte d'Intérieur-Designer, Directeur Artistique en Design Graphique), and language-integration tracks (FLE Art, FLE Design). Programs are available in initial, apprenticeship (alternance), and delayed-intake formats. The school is distinguished by its international Franco-Japanese dual-degree programs delivered in partnership with Osaka Sogo Design and UEDA Gakuen, plus Canadian exchanges with CEGEP de Saint-Jean de Richelieu and a planned CEGEP du Vieux Montréal partnership, as well as a Chinese exchange with the College of Arts at Beijing University of Technology.

The underlying technology stack is built on industry-standard design software and BIM (Building Information Modeling) tools for architecture programs; the school does not operate a proprietary technology platform. Curriculum is enriched by a February 2026 generative AI workshop covering prompt engineering, image and video production, and multimodal artistic hybridization. Academic credentials are anchored by six RNCP certifications at levels 4 through 7 (Maquettiste Infographiste Multimédia, Graphiste, Concepteur Designer UI, Coordinateur BIM du Bâtiment, Directeur Artistique en Design Graphique, Architecte d'Intérieur-Designer), supplemented by Qualiopi, FEDE, IDEL art-culture, and FNEP accreditations.

Autograf generates revenue through four streams: initial-education tuition for Bachelor and Mastère programs, apprenticeship/alternance contracts funded by OPCO, continuing education (Formation Continue) financed via CPF, employer training plans, and unemployment agencies, and VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience) certification pathways for three RNCP titles. Customer segments include post-secondary students seeking Bac+ to Bac+5 credentials (primary), working professionals pursuing upskilling or VAE certification (secondary), and non-francophone international students entering via FLE tracks (secondary). The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, supported by Campus France international recruitment, Open Days, an active social media presence (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), newsletter campaigns, and the Datalumni alumni platform with mentorship and job board features.

Name

Autograf

Legal name

Autograf

Website

https://autograf.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Autograf is a private Paris-based design school offering Bachelor and Mastère degrees, apprenticeships, and professional certifications in graphic design, space design, manga/animation, and 3D arts, serving French and international students with RNCP-credentialed programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Design Higher Education

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior) (EDAHAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Online/Hybrid Overseas Pathway & Bridging Programs (EDAIAJAK)

Keywords

• Design education
• Graphic design school
• Animation programs
• Interior architecture
• BIM certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Initial Education: Revenue from student tuition for initial education programs including Bachelor degrees, Mastère (Master) degrees, and preparatory classes. Programs offered in initial (full-time student) format or apprenticeship/alternance format.
2. Professional Training (Formation Continue): Continuing education programs for professionals, including modular training, vocational training, and VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience) certification pathways. Funded through CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation), employer training plans, and unemployment agency support.
3. VAE Certification: Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience - certification pathway allowing professionals to obtain diplomas based on work experience rather than coursework, for three RNCP-certified titles.
4. Apprenticeship/Alternance Contracts: Revenue from apprenticeship contracts where students work for companies while studying, combining practical work experience with academic training.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Autograf is a private French higher education institution (École de design et d'arts appliqués) that sells tuition-based design and applied arts programs in Paris, ranging from preparatory classes and Bachelor degrees to Mastère (Master-level) programs, plus continuing education and VAE certification pathways. Offerings span graphic design, digital/UX-UI design, space design, interior architecture, manga and animation, 3D animation, video games, VFX, and BIM, delivered as initial (full-time) or alternance (apprenticeship) tracks with optional FLE French-language integration for international students.

Product overview

Autograf is a private French design school offering a comprehensive portfolio of design and applied arts education programs. The school provides a hierarchical structure from foundational programs (Preparatory Classes, First Bachelor Year) through specialized undergraduate Bachelor degrees (Design Graphique & Digital, Design d'Espace, Manga & Animation Franco-Japonais, Artiste 3D, Jeux Vidéo) to graduate-level Mastère programs (Architecte d'Intérieur - Designer, Directeur Artistique en Design Graphique). Additionally, the school offers language integration programs (FLE Art and FLE Design), short intensive workshops, professional certifications (BIM Modeleur, Maquettiste Infographiste), and continuing education options. Programs are available in initial, apprenticeship (alternance), and delayed entry formats. All programs are recognized by the French state through RNCP certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Classe Prépa Art et Design One or two-year preparatory class focused on drawing, general artistic culture, and methodology to prepare students for entrance exams at prestigious art and design schools. Targeted at post-baccalaureate students seeking admission to competitive French art and design schools.
• Classe Prépa Architecture Preparatory class focused on drawing, artistic culture, and methodology to prepare students for Architecture school entrance exams. Targeted at students seeking admission to French architecture schools.
• 1re année de Bachelor Design Foundational first year common to Bachelor Design Graphique and Bachelor Design d'Espace cycles, allowing students to develop drawing and creativity skills across design fields before specializing in the second year. Available also in rentrée décalée (delayed intake) format.
• Bachelor Design Graphique & Digital Three-year Bachelor covering print design (identity, typography, publishing, packaging) and digital design (UX-UI, web, applications, motion design). Offers a triple diploma: Bachelor labeled by IDEL art-culture, RNCP level 5 Graphiste, and RNCP level 6 Concepteur Designer UI. Available in initial or alternance format from year one, with rentrée décalée option.
• Bachelor Design d'Espace Three-year Bachelor preparing students for Space Design careers covering workspace design, commercial spaces, event venues, habitat, cultural spaces, urban landscapes, architectural heritage, scenography, and museum design. Double diploma: Bachelor labeled by IDEL art-culture and RNCP level 6 Coordinateur BIM du Bâtiment. Available in initial or alternance format with rentrée décalée option.
• Bachelor Manga et Animation Franco-Japonais 4.5-year international Bachelor in partnership with Osaka Sogo Design (Japan): 2 years in France followed by 2.5 years in Osaka. Covers manga, illustration, and Japanese animation with a double French/Japanese diploma. Available with rentrée décalée option.
• Bachelor Artiste 3D (Animation 3D, Jeux Vidéo, VFX) Three-year Bachelor focusing on 3D Animation, Video Games, and Visual Effects (VFX) creation, with separate specialization tracks. Targeted at students pursuing careers in 3D artistry for games, animation studios, and VFX production.
• Bachelor Jeux Vidéo et Animation 3D Franco-Japonais International Bachelor in video games and 3D animation developed with Japanese partners including UEDA Gakuen Educational, including workshops in France and Japan. Students create video games with Japanese students and learn from industry professionals.
• BIM Modeleur du Bâtiment RNCP level 5 professional certification qualifying graduates as BIM Coordinators in construction. Focused on Building Information Modeling methodology and practice.
• Mastère Architecte d'Intérieur - Designer Master-level Mastère (RNCP level 7) training Interior Architects and Space Designers, with options in Interior Architecture and Scenography. Title registered by France Compétences on 10/02/2021. Accessible through VAE.
• Mastère Directeur Artistique en Design Graphique Master-level Mastère (RNCP level 7) for Art Directors in Graphic Design with three options: création graphique, création numérique, and création publicitaire. Title registered by order of 17/05/2018 published in JO of 24/05/2018. Accessible through VAE.
• FLE Art (Français Langue Étrangère + Art) One-year program combining French as a Foreign Language courses with art studies, cultural outings, and initiation to French artistic techniques and culture. Targeted at non-francophone international students preparing to enter French design programs.
• FLE Design (Français Langue Étrangère + Design) One-year qualifying program for non-francophone students with prior art/design education, combining intensive French courses with integration into Bachelor workshop weeks.
• Stage Prépa Art et Design Intensive short workshop covering drawing, artistic culture, motivation letters, oral preparation, and portfolio creation for Art and Design entrance exams.
• Stages Prépa Architecture Intensive short workshops covering drawing, artistic culture, motivation letters, oral preparation, and portfolio creation for Architecture entrance exams.
• Maquettiste Infographiste Multimédia RNCP level 4 professional certification for multimedia layout artists and desktop publishers. Title registered by order of 28/07/2017 published in JO of 05/08/2017. Accessible through VAE.
• Formation Professionnelle Continuing education programs for working professionals, including VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience) pathways for three RNCP titles, modular training, and vocational training funded through CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation), employer training plans, OPCO, and unemployment agency support.
• TP Graphiste New TP Graphiste certification (Titre Professionnel Graphiste) scheduled for launch in 2026, expanding Autograf's professional certification portfolio in graphic design.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% VAE success rate (2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Osaka Sogo Design (OSCD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Osaka Sogo Design in Japan for Franco-Japanese Bachelor programs in Manga and Animation, and Video Games and 3D Animation. Students spend 1-2 years in France and 2.5 years in Japan, receiving dual French-Japanese diplomas. The partnership includes masterclasses, workshops, and international exchanges.
• UEDA Gakuen EducationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese university partnership for video game and 3D animation programs. Students participate in annual workshops in Osaka, creating video games with Japanese students and learning from industry professionals.
• CEGEP de Saint-Jean de RichelieusecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec-based college partnership for Franco-Québécois workshops in Space Design. Annual exchanges in both directions (France and Canada) where students collaborate on real design projects.
• College of Arts de l'Université de Technologie de PekinsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerChinese university partnership for Interior Architecture Mastère programs. Annual 10-year exchange program where students collaborate on architecture and design projects.
• LADD (Les Ateliers du Décorateur)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Décoration et Architecture d'Intérieur professional training program, providing practical skills in decoration and interior design.
• ECC (ECC School)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership launched for the 3D Artist program, announced in 2025, extending Autograf's international collaborations in Asia.
• Toulouse Business SchoolsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Mastère Director Artistique en Design Graphique program, providing additional business education components for design students.
• CEGEP du Vieux MontréalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlanned partnership for 2026 workshop with Mastère Architecte d'Intérieur - Designer students, fostering international exchanges.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Supinfogame Rubika: French private school specializing in video game arts, 3D animation, and VFX, with campuses in Valenciennes, Montreal, and other locations. Strongly comparable in 3D animation, video games, and VFX bachelor programs serving similar international applicants.
• Paris School of Luxury: Paris-based private school offering Bachelor's and Master's in luxury design, brand management, fashion design, and interior design. Comparable private Paris design school with similar alternance model and target audience of creative students.
• Strate School of Design: French private design school offering Bachelor and Master's programs in product, transport, interaction, and graphic design based in Paris/Sèvres. Closest direct competitor in scale, target audience, and degree offerings.
• L'École de Design Nantes Atlantique: French private design school offering Bachelor's, Master's, and continuing education in digital design, product design, and UX/UI. Comparable in target audience (post-bac design students) and apprenticeship model.
• ENSCI Les Ateliers: Prestigious French public-utility design school in Paris offering industrial, textile, and digital design master's degrees. Comparable in design education focus but with a more selective/competitive admissions model.
• Gobelins, l'école de l'image: Paris-based French school specialized in animation, graphic design, photography, and digital media. Strongly comparable in 3D animation, video games, and visual arts programs targeting similar students.
• LISAA School of Design: French private design school with multiple campuses (Paris, Rennes, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, Bruxelles) covering graphic design, interior architecture, fashion, and animation. Direct competitor in scale and program portfolio.
• Brassart School of Design: French private design school with campuses across France offering programs in graphic design, 3D animation, video games, and digital arts. Closely comparable in 3D/VFX and graphic design programs targeting the same post-baccalaureate audience.

Broad incumbents

• Ynov Campus: French private higher education group with campuses nationwide offering Bachelor's and Master's in multiple creative and tech disciplines including design, 3D animation, and video games. Larger and broader portfolio but overlapping student segments.

Regional players

• ECAL (École cantonale d'art de Lausanne): Highly regarded Swiss design and art school offering BA/MA programs in graphic design, industrial design, and photography. Comparable design education focus but operates in a different geography (Switzerland) and serves primarily French-speaking European students.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/autograf

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Autograf