Program Overview

Illustration provides an education as well as a preparation for professional life.

In this challenging academic programme you will study many aspects of illustration, including:

• contemporary practice
• historical contexts
• aspects of professional applications

A series of projects will:

• enhance your awareness of the above elements
• introduce collaborative working and interdisciplinary connections

Illustration and the page
Illustration is an element within the architecture of the page. It encompasses:

• form
• colour
• line
• composition
• pictorial space

The idea of the page embraces a variety of actual and virtual formats. It also reflects the evolving nature of the contemporary art, design and publishing industries.

Areas of practice
Illustrations are seen in many settings, including:

• advertising
• graphic and web design
• packaging
• periodicals
• books

Contemporary practice includes:

• the theatre
• music
• television
• museum-related work and exhibitions

How we teach
We teach drawing and image-making from a broad methodology, including:

• observation
• perception
• literary interpretation

You will be guided through a range of themes and briefs, to visualise your ideas and texts towards individual ways of seeing.

An illustration philosophy includes intellectual and aesthetic sensibilities, allied to practical methods within evolving disciplines of the graphic arts. This builds on the energy and application of those who study, teach, and instruct students in reaching their full potential.

Studio work
As a part of this process, we collaborate with publishers, designers and writers. You will experience both academic and live briefs. Our studio environment is a vital and creative space in which to explore:

• perception
• imagination
• the visual interpretation of texts

Design and Screen Cultures

• Integrated with the practical studio work, courses in Design and Screen Cultures provide a contextual and theoretical understanding of contemporary design.