MA Illustration

What is Illustration MA?

Creatively develop your illustration practise, and discover your mature, insightful authorial voice.

A central element of this course is the application and testing of communicative drawing, as well as drawing with identified purpose and intent. It’s an intense and productive process of enquiry and investigation, focusing on the acquisition of fluency, clarity and coherence in expressing visual narrative.

The techniques and technologies which form the practice-based mechanisms of illustration are also key, with the aim of achieving a dynamic, sophisticated and confident application of process. You will actively explore printmaking, digital painting, creative software and all forms of natural media.

Drawing will also form a methodology for research and investigation, supported by lectures and workshops, and delivered by illustration staff who have a wide range of industry and publishing experience.

Study style

You’ll learn through studio practice, lectures, workshops and reflective study. Assessment is 100% by coursework.

You’ll be guided in intellectual and critical enquiry through practice, lectures and reflective study. This course encourages enterprise and promotion alongside your own personal development. You’ll have opportunities to print, publish and disseminate your work in collaborative and personal publications for our imprint, ‘The Pittville Press,’ which is actively promoted at book fairs and publishing events. A series of intensive tutorials will direct you towards a creative portfolio strategy relevant to your personal aims.

Possible careers

Graduates from this course can go on to work in:

• freelance illustration
• graphic novels
• roles in games art, character design, concept art, animation, storyboarding and visualisation for production design
• education
• art
• printmaking.