Illustration (with Integrated Foundation Year)

OVERVIEW

BA (Hons) Illustration at Norwich University of the Arts is a forward-facing contemporary degree that values and nurtures individuality and has a reputation for challenging conventional thinking. At the heart of our highly regarded course is the power of illustration to communicate, be it through telling stories with different media from the page to the screen, or in a diverse range of creative applications including those which value sustainable, ethical practices and champion inclusivity.

You will have the opportunity to engage directly with an exciting mix of real work experiences and collaborative projects throughout your time on the course. You will be encouraged to push experimental approaches to image making and make work that has grounding in research and issue-based content.
Our aim is to inspire you to consider the power of your own illustration voice and to develop an illustrative language that has conviction and confidence, enabling you to progress into a wide range of employment including freelance, publishing, design, education and further study.

INTEGRATED FOUNDATION (YEAR 0)

This course includes an integrated foundation year (Year 0), which promotes developing practical, technical and creative skills and confidence. Building on your prior experience, you will be introduced to some of our workshops to assist your skill development, with an increasing emphasis on professional standards and independent study. The course places emphasis on your personal commitment to study, while supporting you in your progression.

KEY FEATURES

• Learn core skills and techniques through digital and analogue workshops including printmaking, laser cutting, photography and bookbinding along with essential training in industry standard digital software

• Become a creative problem-solver, using key illustration approaches to experiment with a range of techniques, materials and processes

• Learn to communicate and present ideas to different audiences clearly and persuasively

• Consider your work and how it is situated within a global context, develop your critical evaluation skills, encouraging reflection on your creative practice

• Explore storytelling and how your own understanding of the changing world we live in can be represented and visualised across an exciting range of creative contexts

• Engage with drawing as fundamental practice, for observation and research, interpretation of subject matter and responding to industry requirements

• Develop awareness of sustainable and responsible ways of thinking and working

• Understand the importance of research and how evidence can give weight to your ideas and opinions

• Consolidate the development of a professional standard portfolio in line with your own career directions alongside the production of a contextual research report

YOUR FUTURE

The course has an established track record of student and course successes including the RSA Student Design Award, D&AD New Blood, Penguin Design Awards, Carmelite Prize for Children’s Picture Books, YCN Awards and New Designers Best in Show.

Competition success is another way students can gain direct access to the illustration and creative industries; many students have secured graduate placements and full-time employment as a direct result of entering and winning competitions.

Our industry visitors include agents and industry organisations such as Arena, The Artworks, Jelly London, the House of Illustration and the Association of Illustrators (AOI) as the main organisation for the national and international illustration industry. As College members we are up to date with developments in the industry while our students have access to their lectures and advice, campaigns and entry to awards.

OUR STUDENTS’ WORK

Explore our online Graduate Showcase – celebrating the very best Norwich University of the Arts graduate work at nuagradshowcase.com

Course Modules

You can find more information about the content of the BA (Hons) Illustration (with Integrated Foundation Year) course at https://norwichuni.ac.uk/4-year-degrees/

The University assesses you through the coursework you produce as you complete each unit. Each unit will require you to present a portfolio of work which may include finished pieces of work, written work, your research, and a reflective journal which allows you to evaluate your learning and highlight your strengths and areas for further development. You can find out more information about our assessment methods at https://norwichuni.ac.uk/ba-hons-illustration/