Are you passionate about drawing but don't want to let people know? It's OK, you can tell us, we love drawing too!
We run small year groups of around 15 students per year on the illustration course and this gives you the rare luxury of loads of teaching, feedback and development from your tutors.
Introduction
Now, more than ever, Illustrators have to understand the contexts in which their work is used. That's why, on our BA(Hons) Illustration programme, you'll work very closely with the graphic designers right from day one. Not only will you get to know how your illustration work will be used, you'll pick up some really useful graphic design skills too!
You'll also need to feel comfortable with a wide range of media and disciplines and that's where a range of challenging projects come in – editorial, books, advertising, web, mutlimedia, promotion and others. And, you'll explore letterforms, digital illustration, art direction, print making, web design and photography to name but a few.
We put great emphasis on knowledge, passion and enjoyment, and showing you how they can be used to make memorable, meaningful illustration. It's a subject we take very seriously but we also insist that it should be enjoyable and fun too.
We're different. But don't worry, in the creative world of illustration that's good, not bad.
Jenny Cox: Book cover illustration
Course Content
You'll spend three or four years studying an in-depth programme with exciting projects that challenge you at every stage. Our aim is to help you become an independent, passionate illustrator, one that can think as well as draw, ready to take on the creative industry.
You should have lots of fun as well...
FOUNDATION ENTRY (Year 0)
Most applicants for BA Illustration will normally have studied for a Foundation Diploma or a National Diploma in Art & Design, or a relevant equivalent, which provides a sound start for Year 1 of the course. However, some applicants from other backgrounds, for example school leavers or people returning to education, may need further preparation to help them to suceed on a degree level course - this is where the Foundation Entry (known as 'Year Zero') comes in. This specialist, preparatory year, will provide you with a wide range of underpinning practical, technical and theoretical skills.
You will experience a wide range of project work and have extensive inductions into virtually all of our technical workshops. The pace is fast, the projects are fun and successful completion of 'Year Zero' gives you automatic progression to Year One of the BA (Hons) Graphic Design course.
BA (Hons) Year One
The first year is all about putting you in control and developing the quality of your ideas.
We deconstruct what it is to be an illustrator/graphic designer through a series of briefs that address specific themes, issues and technical skills. Many of these themes are further explored in design theory and design business modules, both of which are integrated into the course.
We'll also give you a taste of typography and letterforms, and also develop your visualising and technical skills, working with our state-of-the-art digital resources. You will cover a lot of ground and get lots of tutor contact and feedback. By the end of the year your knowledge, confidence and skills will have grown tremendously.
BA (Hons) Year Two
You now get to apply the experience, understanding and skills you developed in the first year on a series of specific design problems. Specialist skills are delivered and developed as you study. These include such topics as illustration for packaging, editorial and book design, corporate identity, web design and ethical approaches to our industry.
By the end of the year you will have begun to develop a strong direction in the area of illustration that supports your interests and ambitions.
BA (Hons) Year Three
In your final year, you will direct your individual skills and creativity towards solving conceptually challenging assignments. These will include a range of competitions and tutor set projects. Ultimately you will undertake a major self-negotiated design project, giving you the opportunity to demonstrate fully all that you have learned over the previous three years.
Professional Development includes a negotiated work placement in a company of your choice and the development of your CV and self-promotional materials to help you successfully launch your career as a practicing illustrator.
Your passion, confidence, knowledge and determination will allow you to show the world that you mean business and a fitting finale of your education is the summer degree show.
Tom Softley: Bagatelle cover illustration
Illustration by Elly Carthy
Embroidered mixed-media illustration by Claire Wood
A workshop session on painting media
Logo design by Louise Hubbard
Claire Wood: Book illustration
Induction week; sense of adventure required.
