BA (Hons)
Illustration
Encouraging innovative ways of communicating through illustration
Course Overview
Why take this course?
As an illustrator you will have a unique voice to challenge and change convention. Our diverse course enables you to develop your creative strengths and aspirations. It will allow you to explore the vast range of traditional and contemporary methods of illustration, and experiment with the materials and processes being exploited in today's visual mediums.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Bid to showcase your work in local galleries or art events in London
- Use the latest software and equipment to bring your practical project work to life
- Interact with our visiting speakers, all of whom are established professionals such as Craig Mackie (Commissioning Deputy Art Editor of The New Scientist) and Darren Garrett (Creative Director of Littleloud Animation Studios)
- Visit our course website to find out more
What opportunities might it lead to?
On this course you will develop strong creative and technical abilities in character animation, visual storytelling, compositing and editing. These skills are specifically tailored to enable you to find employment within the entertainment sector, wherever your strengths lie.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- visual art
- web design
- book illustration
- animation
- publishing
- teaching
I really like the ‘free-ness’ of the course and how we are encouraged to go in the direction that we choose to; for instance, I have chosen to focus on children’s book illustration.
Amber Jefferson-Grant, BA (Hons) Illustration student 2013
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- W220
- Duration
- 3 years full time, 4 years sandwich with work placement
- Entry
240-300 points to include a minimum of 240 points from A Levels, or equivalent, with 100 points from an A Level in an art and design subject. Or Foundation art and design or National Diploma in art and design. Applicants may be subject to interview. A portfolio is essential.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a* International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- create.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 2421 - Department
- School of Art, Design and Media
Subject:
Art and Design
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- The creative atmosphere that encourages students to explore their own interests and ideas
- The excellent facilities which you will have access to
- Exhibiting, curating and promoting your work, preparing you for future employment
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
In your first year you will study core elements of illustration alongside developing your practical abilities in areas such as print-making, etching, typography and IT software packages.
Core units in this year include:
- Letter and Form
- Line and Colour
- Methodology
- Narrative Illustration
- Historical and Theoretical Studies
- Self Promotion
Year two
As the course progresses, you will develop a more in-depth knowledge of particular themes and topics within illustration. Take units that will allow you to specialise in specific areas and that focus on your professional development.
Core units in this year include:
- Number in Print
- Online Portfolio
- Social Awareness
- Book Works
- Multiples: Zines
- Historical and Theoretical Study
- Sequential Illustration
Year three*
Much of this year is project work. You can develop your own particular strengths further within a series of projects and a self-elected final project/presentation, encouraging you to develop a portfolio that represents your identity.
Core units in this year include:
- Self-Directed Project
- Professional Practice
- Historical and Theoretical Studies
*This course is also available as a 4-year sandwich (work placement)
Teaching and Assessment
We offer a variety of engaging teaching methods from workshops, lectures, projects and seminars, to individual tutorials. There is also emphasis on hands-on practical sessions as a strong studio culture develops within the subject area.
How are you assessed?
There are no exams on this course and learning becomes more independent as the course progresses. Here’s how we assess your work:
- written coursework
- creative design group projects
- self-led projects from initial concept to finished product
- project presentations
- sketchbooks and portfolio
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Design Studios
Our design facilities can cater to whatever project you are working on
Guest Speakers
We organise a lively programme of visiting speakers
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment
Design Studios
As well as our purpose-built studios for material workshops, we also have a variety of digital print studios. From letterpress and screen printing equipment to Macs and PCs running industry-standard software, our design facilities can cater to whatever project you are working on.
Guest Speakers
We organise a lively programme of visiting speakers in order to encourage a vibrant culture of debate and industry contact. All have expertise in the areas of art, design and media from art direction, animation to illustration. Previous speakers have included Ross Holden and Graham Rawle (leading artist/illustrators).
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
We equip you with the knowledge of new image-making technology and the professional practice elements of the course are in line with current and future industry trends. Not only will this give you a competitive edge in the job market, but will help to develop your own individual style, enhancing your future employment prospects.
Our graduates are pursuing exciting roles across the whole spectrum of careers in art, design and media. They are working in a range of roles in design studios, web design, exhibition work, teaching, freelance work and book illustration.
Roles they have taken on include:
- artist
- bookmaker
- illustrator
- print designer
Work experience
The subject of illustration relies on practical abilities and employers will want to see evidence of the work you have achieved during your studies.
Therefore, we aim to provide as many real-life opportunities for you as possible. Whether it be working alongside illustration agencies or putting on an art exhibition, all are great ways to show employers that you can apply these experiences to professional practice once you graduate.
This course also allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option, which lets you earn credits toward your degree for work/research placements, volunteer roles or internships undertaken alongside your studies. This gives you the opportunity to enhance your employability skills, reflect on the ways in which you've done so and learn to express this to potential employers.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more