Illustration

Our Illustration degree can open doors to a wide variety of careers from freelance illustration and design, to work in media and advertising, publishing and much more.

From book covers to greeting cards, album artwork and advertisements, the images that are part of our everyday lives are nearly always the work of a highly-skilled illustrator. Through our links with practicing illustrators, publishing and design commissioners, and agents, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of what it is like to work as an illustrator and will be well equipped to take your skills into the workplace.

This is a studio-based course where you can make use of the very latest digital and printing facilities. You’ll get to unleash your creativity through drawing, painting, collage, print, photography, animation, 3D materials or digital media – the choice is yours.

If you have an enthusiasm for drawing and practical creativity of all kinds, our Illustration degree course will help you hone and develop your design skills through the communication of ideas with pictures.

Year 1:
Creative Thinking
Design Context 1
Communication Craft Skills
Introduction to Graphic Communication

Year 2:
Applied illustration
Design Context 2
Professional Practice
Graphic Communication in Context

Year 3:
Illustration Set Project
Design Context 3
Illustration External Project
Illustration Self Initiated Project

Skills acquisition will be developed throughout the programme using practical briefs as a vehicle for both delivery and assessment. Basic skills development will be the focus of level 4 modules and you will be encouraged to develop and enhance these skills further at level 5. You will take part in individual and group critiques evaluating the work you have done for each brief.

Lectures and seminars will introduce you to historical and contemporary theory and contextual themes. You will be able to apply this learning to your own work maintaining a continuous link between theory and practice. The VLE will support your learning at all levels as a portal for information and resources and through online discussion forums.

At level 6 a more independent ethos is fostered; you will be expected to plan your own learning with support from module tutors culminating in the writing and completion of your honours project.