Illustration

Three years full-time

This course aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop a creative individual approach to illustration with a contemporary visual language and a firm grasp of business acumen for a head start in the competitive media industries. Students will primarily be concerned with image-making as a means of expression and communication, whilst challenging the prescribed conventions of illustration by appreciating and adapting traditional skills and embracing new technologies.

Our well-established art and design courses are renowned for educating innovative and creative students to enter an industry that is continually searching for inspired and resourceful employees in a rapidly changing communication environment.

Stage one

At stage one of the course the students are encouraged to develop an individual illustrative language and follow a broad-based visual studies programme with an introduction to the diverse uses of illustration within contemporary design.

Stage two

Stage two requires a more in-depth investigation and application of personal strengths and an understanding of the professional requirements of the media industries.

Stage three

Stage three consolidates these studies by the completion of self-initiated projects, national competitions and a dissertation that embodies the learning acquired from the previous two stages. The final illustration portfolio demonstrates the student's ability to resolve complex illustrative problems showing an understanding of commercial practice.

• Exchange opportunities with St Etienne, France (these opportunities are open to all stage one students on the BA (Hons) Illustration)
  

• Final Illustration portfolio
• Media Practice 1 and 2
  
• Illustration in a Design Context
• Illustration Projects 1
  
• Introduction to Drawing
• Professional Practice Skills for Illustrators 1 and 2
  
• Visual and Material Culture 1 and 2
• Illustration dissertation
  

Reading lists are available on entry to the course, but the following are strongly recommended :'The Art of Looking Sideways' by Alan Fletcher and 'Art is Work' by Milton Glaser and 'How to Create a Portfolio & Get Hired' by Fig Taylor.

A range of illustration projects, competitions, external assignments, student presentations, portfolio and exhibition displays, reports, essays and a dissertation.

Extensive use of exceptionally well-equipped printmaking, photography, 3D and painting facilities. Large dedicated studio space to work in.

Tutorials, seminars, lectures, workshops and independent study.

Freelance illustrators can work with design companies, advertising agencies, publishers and all the creative areas of media.

Opportunities exist to liaise with publishers, design groups and a multitude of media contacts built up over many years as well as 'live work' that can be undertaken through industrial contacts and working within the in-house studio.

Exchange opportunities with St Etienne, France.