Areas of Study

Illustration

Program Description

A group of students and professors posing with an illustration during a studio visit.
an image
A detailed window drawing a backwards 140! with the artist collapsed on the floor.
A group of students posing on boulders at the beach.
Students installing red decorations in the Porteous Building entryway windows.

Whether there is a story to be told, a problem to be solved, or a point of view to be expressed— the illustrator provides the vision.

Our Illustration program encourages students to work independently, but learn under the close guidance of award-winning professionals in the field. Ours is an intensive course of study that combines artistic rigor with real world experience.

We are deeply rooted in fundamental artistic skills and practices. Students learn to think critically while developing concepts, narratives, and settings to create unique and individual imagery.

We work to ensure that students can clearly articulate their work and process to find solutions that go above and beyond the obvious choices.

The Illustration faculty bring their daily practice of business, craft, concept, and aesthetics to their teaching. As illustrators and educators, they teach and present current experiences from their own specific fields of illustration. Faculty emphasize the need for a practice that includes editing and refinement along with research and informed solutions, including ways to incorporate student’s interests and individuality.

Life After Graduation

Our illustration alumni are working as freelance illustrators creating illustrations for books, magazines, logos, posters, wine labels, album art, murals, and storefronts. They are full time art directors in agencies and employed in toy and game companies. Some of our alumni are educators and others become entrepreneurs and start up card companies. Alumni also work and show in galleries, as well as create products to sell online and in shops.

Gallery

Program & Outcomes

Faculty

Illustration Faculty

Sample Courses

  • IL 110 Methods & Media in Illustration
  • IL 240 Setting the Scene
  • IL 306 The Graphic Novel
  • IL 310 Picture Book
  • IL 330 Illustrative Typography

Workspace & Tools

All second through fourth year students have access to the illustration studio which includes:

  • large scale Wacom/Cintiqs
  • 11” X 17” flatbed scanner
  • 28 "Epson printer
  • Risograph

All third and fourth year illustration majors have access to individual workspaces with 24 hour access.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  1. Articulate their work within a historical and contemporary context.
  2. Demonstrate the expressive nature of illustration in a variety of medium.
  3. Communicate ideas visually, solve problems and think critically.
  4. Develop techniques and skills to service content.
  5. Demonstrate professional practices within the field of illustration.
  6. Employ knowledge about the history of illustration, contemporary theories and practice in their work.
  7. Speak critically about the illustration work of others from both historical and contemporary perspectives.

Course of Study

Foundation Year
Fall
  • FN 101 Digital Imaging
  • FN 109 3D: Materiality
  • FN 113 Two-Dimensional Design
  • Studio Elective
  • EN 100 English Composition
  • SEM 100 First Year Seminar
Spring
  • DR 100 Introduction to Drawing
  • FN 110 4D: Space & Temporality
  • FN 108 Research & Inquiry – Studio
  • SEM 108 Research & Inquiry – Academic
  • AH 101 Art History Survey I
Sophomore
Fall
  • IL 104 Intro to Ink for Illustrators or IL 107 Portrait Drawing in Illustration
  • IL 240 Setting the Scene
  • Studio Elective (Student Choice)
  • AH 102 Art History Survey II
  • Academic Elective
Spring
  • IL 110 Methods and Media in Illustration
  • IL 212 Illustration in Context
  • Studio Elective (Student Choice)
  • AH 250 Critical Approaches to Contemporary Art
  • Academic Elective
Junior
Fall
  • IL 321 Illustration Majors Studio
  • SEM 355 Illustration Junior Seminar
  • Approved Studio Elective
  • Art History Elective
  • Academic Elective
Spring
  • IL 322 Illustration Majors Studio
  • IL 351 Introduction to the Discipline
  • Approved Studio Elective
  • Art History Elective
  • Academic Elective
Senior
Fall
  • IL 421 Illustration Majors Studio
  • SEM 451 Professional Studio – Illustration
  • Approved Studio Elective
  • 2 Academic Electives
Spring
  • IL 423 Illustration Majors Studio
  • 2 Approved Studio Electives
  • 2 Academic Electives

Course Catalog Listing

View Illustration Courses