MDes Comics & Graphic Novels

This course is a blend of academic analysis and creative practice. You will learn about the comics medium and industry and its relation to different genres and cultures across various media. You will think critically about these ideas and relate analysis of style and form to theory, context, politics, and history.

We have close links with industry and our expert staff are involved in making comics, researching comics, and organising major comics conferences. Guest speakers have included:

• Dave Gibbons (Watchmen)
• Frank Quitely (Batman and Robin)
• Ian Kennedy (2000AD, Commando, Dan Dare)
• Cam Kennedy (Judge Dredd, Star Wars)

We also offer an MLitt in Comics & Graphic Novels at the University. While both courses focus on developing your critical understanding of comics, the MDes is practice-based. For MDes students, that means that alongside the theoretical side of the course you will develop your own comics, learning script writing, thumbnails, pencils, inks, lettering, colouring, and traditional and digital production methods.

You will have access to studio space and to Dundee Comics Creative Space, a hub for comics teaching and creation run by the University.

Careers:

This course offers excellent employment opportunities for anyone interested in working in the field of comics, either critically or creatively.

You may choose to pursue an academic career, work in the media, or in the creative industries or publishing. An understanding of comics cuts across publishing, computer games, the internet, television, and film.

You'll have networking opportunities throughout the course and meet industry professionals and have the chance to attend and organise major comic conventions. There will also be opportunities for internships.