Illustration BA (Hons)

Overview

As an illustrator, your creative ability can shape culture. Fuse your talent with professional skills on a degree course that’ll set you up for a career doing what you love.

On this BA (Hons) Illustration degree, you’ll examine your own work and reflect on the work of other designers, filmmakers, painters, sculptors and writers. You’ll develop your own practical skills in illustration across the board and build the skills you’ll need for a successful, creative career.

What you'll experience

On this course you’ll:

• Explore traditional and contemporary illustration, while experimenting with a media such as print, animation, textiles and model making
• Unleash your creativity by re-defining illustration, challenging convention and exploring illustration's social, political and historical context
• Get your hands on the latest image-making technology and get professional experience that will help you compete in the commercial arena after the course
• Interact with our visiting speakers – past guests include Sara Fanelli (children’s book author/illustrator), Darren Garrett (Creative Director of Littleloud Animation Studios) and Chris Riddell (UK Children’s Laureate 2015–2017)
• Access our digital studios with Macs and PCs running professional-standard software including the Adobe Creative Suite
• Get the chance to achieve Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) certification
• Engage with live projects such as the Anglepoise Sketchbook Competition
• Develop a professional portfolio and website to showcase your skills
• Have the opportunity to exhibit your work at graduate showcases and exhibitions

Careers and opportunities

The creative and technical abilities in sequential storytelling, character animation and visual storytelling you develop on this course could lead to a variety of creative roles in design and media.

Areas previous graduates have gone on to include:

• artist book making
• children’s book illustration
• narrative illustration
• print making
• art direction
• teaching

You could also continue your studies at postgraduate level, set up successful businesses with help and support from the University or start a career as a freelancer.

After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.

Work experience and career planning

To give you the best chance of securing a great job when you graduate, our Careers and Employability service can help you find relevant work experience during your course.

We can help you identify placements, internships, voluntary roles and freelancing opportunities that will complement your studies and build your portfolio.