Illustration (Taught)

Our Masters in Illustration is specifically designed to help you develop and craft your personal visual language, taking your illustrative practice to the next level. Combining theory and practice, you will create a bespoke portfolio that truly represents you as a creative. You will have the opportunity to engage in three areas of Illustration Research Excellence: Narrative, Entrepreneurial and Experimental Illustration. You will join other creative minds and collaborate with postgraduate students across the School of Art and Design; and you will focus on your professional journey as an illustrator/academic.

Key features

• Learn diverse techniques through workshops: Attend workshops covering Visual Sequence in children's books, Graphic Novels and Storytelling, Visual Identity for Illustrators, Illustrative Ceramics, Watercolour for illustrators, Undigital digital, Cinema 4D and Adobe After Effects.

• Prepare for advanced academic progression: If you're considering a PhD or Professional Doctorate, choose an optional advanced research module to build the critical and academic skills needed for further study in illustration or visual communication.

• Connect with professional illustrators: Engage with the industry through guest lectures, studio visits and talks from leading illustrators, designers and publishers. Gain valuable insights into professional practice and make contacts to support your career.

• Develop a project shaped by your interests: Create a final major project that reflects your individual creative direction and career ambitions. You’ll explore your personal interests while building a portfolio that demonstrates your professional and conceptual strengths.

Employability

This course will equip you with strong creative and problem-solving skills. Our graduates become valuable members of professional teams working together on a range of visual communication projects, involving all kinds of cross-discipline collaborations.

Our graduates often pursue careers in digital and printed media for advertising, branding, marketing and promotion, and a diverse range of publications.

Facilities

You’ll be based in the Waverley building – a beautifully restored, listed building with real design heritage dating back from 1863 – the original home of the Nottingham School of Art. Our City Campus is right in the heart of Nottingham.

• Visual Enquiry and Imagination (40 credit points)
• Masters Portfolio of Practice (100 credit points)
• Culture and Collaboration (20 credit points)
• Optional module. You will also choose one optional 20-credit module from:
  Professional Futures
  Advancing Research Design: Maximising Your Methods

Assessment is 100% by coursework and involves a project proposal, set project research and development, a professional journal, practical work, verbal and visual presentations and the planning and design of a display of your work.