Bachelor of Illustration and Animation

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Adelaide

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Illustration and Animation at the University of Adelaide is designed for creative students who want to bring stories and ideas to life through illustration, animation and visual storytelling. You'll develop strong artistic, technical and digital production skills while building a professional portfolio for careers across the animation, games, film, publishing and creative industries.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
You'll develop the foundations of visual storytelling through units such as Drawing and Visual Communication, Digital Illustration, and Animation Fundamentals. These subjects help you build core artistic skills while learning the principles of design, character creation and digital workflows.

Year 2
The second year focuses on expanding your creative and technical abilities through 2D Animation, Narrative Illustration, and Character Design. You'll work on increasingly complex projects while exploring storytelling, motion and industry-standard production techniques.

Year 3
In your final year, you'll refine your professional practice through Advanced Animation Studio, Illustration Major Project, and Professional Practice. You'll graduate with a polished portfolio that showcases your creative style and prepares you for employment in the creative industries.

Focus areas (in a string):
Illustration, animation, visual storytelling, character design, concept art, digital media, 2D animation, creative practice, visual communication, professional portfolio.

Learning outcomes (in a string):
Creative thinking, illustration techniques, animation production, digital design, storytelling, visual communication, collaboration, problem-solving, professional practice, portfolio development.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree, providing a recognised qualification for careers in the creative industries and postgraduate study.

Reputation (employability):
The University of Adelaide is a member of Australia's prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities and is internationally recognised for excellence in teaching and research, with strong industry engagement across the creative disciplines.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Illustration and Animation is designed around hands-on creative practice, giving you the opportunity to build industry-ready skills from your first semester. You'll create illustrations, animations and visual storytelling projects using both traditional and digital techniques while learning in professional studio environments. Throughout the degree, you'll collaborate with students across creative disciplines and graduate with a portfolio that showcases your artistic and technical abilities:

Gain practical experience in 2D, 3D and stop-motion animation, character design, comic design and visual storytelling through studio-based projects.
Learn to use visual effects software, along with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies to create immersive digital experiences.
Work on real-world creative projects in areas such as editorial illustration, children's books, comic publishing, cinematic design and animation production.
Collaborate with students from graphic design, product design, visual effects (VFX) and fine arts, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the creative industries.
Build professional skills through industry projects, work placements and internship opportunities available across the program.
Learn in industry-standard studios, workshops and creative spaces equipped for illustration, animation and digital production.
Access the University's 24/7 online learning platform, digital resources and technology-enabled learning environments throughout your studies.
Use the Barr Smith Library, offering extensive print and digital resources, creative research materials and collaborative study spaces to support your projects.

Facilities: Industry-standard creative studios, digital production spaces, Barr Smith Library and technology-enabled learning environments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Illustration and Animation prepares graduates for creative careers across animation, games, publishing, film and digital media. With a professional portfolio, practical production experience and strong visual storytelling skills, you'll be well equipped for roles such as Illustrator, Animator, Concept Artist and Character Designer. To support your transition into the creative industries, the University of Adelaide offers a range of career-focused opportunities:

Access the University's Career and Employability service, providing career coaching, resume and portfolio support, interview preparation, networking events and employer engagement opportunities.
Develop industry-ready experience through work placements, internships and live industry projects incorporated into the program.
Benefit from collaborations across creative disciplines, giving you experience working in multidisciplinary teams similar to professional studio environments.
Graduate with an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree, a recognised qualification that supports employment in Australia's creative industries and provides pathways to postgraduate study.
While the University does not publish course-specific employment or salary figures, graduates leave with a professional portfolio and practical skills that are highly valued across animation studios, game developers, design agencies, publishing houses and digital media companies.

Further Academic Progression:

After graduation, you can continue your studies with an Honours year or pursue postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Design, Master of Visual Arts, or other specialised master's and research programs in animation, illustration, digital media or creative arts. These pathways can lead to advanced creative, leadership, teaching and research opportunities within the visual arts sector.