BA Honours Illustration

The University of Westminster's BA (Hons) Illustration seeks to equip students with technical, creative, and conceptual skills to practice in the constantly changing sector of illustration. The course enhances students' artistry as well as equips them for professional practice in different industries such as publishing, advertising, animation, and digital media.

Year 1: Students learn fundamental drawing, visual communication, and digital skills and develop different styles of illustration while establishing a personal creative practice. There is a focus on testing media, acquiring observation skills, and learning basic design principles.

Year 2: The course continues with making professional-standard work, with students encouraged to develop their own style and research specialist areas of illustration such as character design, editorial, and narrative illustration. Industry-standard software and group project working is also introduced, in preparation for professional life.

Year 3: The final year focuses on creating a professional portfolio and a substantial independent project, demonstrating the skill, imagination, and creativity learned throughout the course. Students are taught how to sell oneself, pitch to clients, and prepare for freelance or permanent work, and how to sell work to show and publish.

Curriculum Structure:

• Core Practice Example: Drawing, painting, digital media illustration, and mixed media.

• Professional Development Modules: Portfolio development, industry practice, and project management.

• Contextual Studies: History of art, illustration contemporary practice, and critical theory to inform practice.

• Independent Projects: Important projects that combine learning, creativity, and research skills.