BA (Hons) Illustration

Year 1 Modules

•  Creative Thinking
  This module encourages traditional drawing skills to explore image, form, function, and surface, as well as the development of ideas.
• Introduction to Graphic Communication
  This module aims to introduce you to the fundamentals of Graphic Communication. You will develop an understanding of visual language and critical analysis and develop presentation skills.
• Communication Craft Skills
  This module aims to introduce you to the design process. You will be encouraged to explore the use of appropriate physical and digital processes.
• Design Context 1
  During this module you will learn the key concepts, cultural issues and contextual discussions around studio and professional practice. You'll explore the historical development of the design profession and develop a broad range of cognitive skills, important in development as a creative thinker and reflective practitioner.

Year 2 Modules 

• Applied Illustration
  You'll develop your research, visual literacy and conceptual thinking skills. The module offers the opportunity to tackle industry-led project briefs, encouraging appropriate levels of modern aesthetics and professional presentation standards.
• Graphic Communication in Context
  This module aims to help you develop your practical and analytical skills when answering creative briefs and projects. You will have the opportunity to develop and enhance your communication skills when participating in group critique sessions.
• Professional Practice
  This module is designed to help you prepare your portfolio of work. It involves portfolio surgeries, advice on creating digital folders and general interview etiquette. You'll hear from visiting speakers from industry and work on live creative briefs.
• Design Context 2
  In this module you'll gain an understanding of the various cultural contexts surrounding the professional design practice and your studio practice. You'll be able to critically reflect on qualitative design issues and how they interact with the broader context.

Year 3 Modules 

• Set Illustration Project
  This module aims to provide you with a focused and structured direction for your final year of study, giving you the opportunity to respond illustratively to a professional design-led project brief. We'll ensure you have the necessary knowledge and capability to produce work to a professional standard.
• External Illustration Project

 In this module, you'll look at external live and competition briefs and industry-focused projects that are tailored to your specific interests. You'll learn to create and present design solutions to a professional standard.

• Self-Initiated Illustration Project
  This module aims to enable you to draw together specialist and supporting studies into a coherent integrated project. It will encourage you to deploy your acquired skills in the organisation and presentation of project outcomes. Develop skills that demonstrate your ability to create working solutions that are technically and aesthetically comprehensive.
• Design Context 3
  In this module you will develop your own research project that links to your career pathway as a professional practitioner. You will develop skills in researching and reporting and be able to reach original conclusions.

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 Year 1 modules, and you will be encouraged to develop and enhance these skills further at Year 2.

You will be required to participate in individual and group critiques and to complete evaluations of the work you have produced for each brief. Lectures and seminars will introduce you to historical and contemporary theory and contextual themes. You will be expected to apply this learning to your own work, maintaining a continuous link between theory and practice.

Our Virtual Learning Environment, It’s Learning, will support your development at all levels with information, resources and online discussion forums.

At Year 3 a more independent ethos is fostered; you will be expected to plan your own learning with support from module tutors culminating in final work being exhibited in a Graduate Show.

Industry professionals and alumni are regularly invited into the studios as guest practitioners to deliver lectures and workshops. There are also opportunities for external visits to locations relevant to your future employment aspirations.

You are encouraged to seek out placements and work experience and are supported with this as part of your studies. Live briefs and competition briefs are a key element of course content throughout all levels.

Creative students are recognised as having highly transferable skills in problem solving and communication and you could expect to find employment in a wide range of sectors.

As an illustrator, you could find a career in a variety of fields including publishing, editorial design, branding, advertising, packaging and retail design. You might also specialise in 3D, animation and moving image.

Upon completion of the degree, you may choose to further your education and progress onto a PGCE or MA course.

• 96 points at A2, for example:
• BTEC Extended Diploma: MMM
• BTEC Diploma: DD
• Pass Access Course: 96 UCAS points
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Pass including 96 points from Higher Level subjects
• T Level: P (C+)

and

• GCSEs: 5 at grade C/4 including Maths and English or equivalent.

and

• Successful portfolio interview.
• Students are also accepted who have appropriate non-standard entry qualifications and/or relevant experience. Please contact admissions for more information.