UCAS codeW220
full time3yrs
placement option1yr
As an illustrator you will have a unique voice to challenge and change convention, and our aim to help you understand your role as a cultural producer in a broad, social, political and historical context.
This course offers you the opportunity to question, reflect and analyse your own work and its commentary in the context of the work of other designers, filmmakers, painters, sculptors, writers, etc. With our strong research identity, we encourage you to develop a breadth of expertise in a variety of fields including: typography, photography, drawing, artist’s book, web design, animation, graphic design and print making.
On this course you can:
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:
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
Course:
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
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:
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:
Options to choose from in this year currently include:
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:
Options to choose from in this year currently include:
We use the best and most current research and professional practice, alongside feedback from our students, to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional units may not run every year. If a unit doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative unit.
*This course is also available as a 4-year sandwich (work placement).
Between the second and third years of study you will have the option to undertake a work placement year. There are two exciting options for the placement year:
We offer a range of salaried professional placements as part of your degree. You can gain invaluable work experience to help you prepare for your graduate employment. The University can provide you with advice on how to secure a work placement that matches both the needs of your degree and your future career plans, as well as giving you useful links and contacts.
Interested in running your own business instead? We also offer students the chance to start-up and run their own company for a year as an alternative to the traditional work-based placement. Students who choose this option often start-up their companies with fellow, like-minded students, working together, as a bona fide operation, in an attempt to build a successful venture. The Faculty and University provide mentoring and support throughout the year.
To find out more visit our Employability and Enterprise page.
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.
The time you spend in teaching activities may depend on the units you select. As a guide, students on this course last year typically spent their time as follows:
There are no exams on this course and learning becomes more independent as the course progresses. Here’s how we assess your work:
The way you’re assessed may depend on the units you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:
Take advantage of our many workshops, which include excellent facilities with specific areas for – screenprinting, letterpress, laser cutting, dye sublimation printing and digital fabric printing.
We also have a variety of digital studios with Macs and PCs running industry-standard software, our design facilities can cater to whatever project you are working on. In addition you will have access to our range of digital printing facilities, including large format, photographic and sheet fed printers.
As well as offering a dynamic and creative studio space with excellent access to the Eldon campus facilities, we foster a friendly and welcoming environment where you are encouraged to interact with both tutors and your peers.
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).
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.
There are extra costs associated with studying, which you will need to consider when planning your expenditure.
Recommended texts:
If you wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow from the University Library, the average price is £50-£60. You may be studying up to 6 units a year, each with a standard recommended text.
General costs:
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for costs of photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
Final year project:
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose to develop.
2017/18
You will incur extra printing costs on portfolio work of around £100 - £600. Material and production costs vary from around £100 - £500 per year.
Any study trips are optional and you will be expected to pay full cost. Optional study trips abroad will cost in the region of £200 - £800. UK trips, where offered, will be £50 - £150.
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:
Here at the CCI’s Creative Careers Centre we are committed to improving your employability. Whether it’s placements, self-employed placements, internships, short-term work experiences, freelancing opportunities and volunteering, we will help you find valuable and relevant work experience to complement your degree. The experienced team is always on hand to offer advice on everything from producing high-quality applications through to preparation for a company assessment day.
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.
To apply, you'll need this course's UCAS code, which is at the top of this page, and the University of Portsmouth institution code – P80.
After you apply, we'll invite you to an Applicant Experience Day where you’ll get to speak to lecturers and meet your future classmates. You’ll also be able to explore course facilities, tour the campus and have a look around our halls of residence.
If you'd like to tour the campus or meet teaching staff before you apply, find out about our other visiting opportunities.
Booking for Open Days for 2019 entry opens soon. Register here for priority booking.
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to our terms and conditions as well as the University’s policies, rules and regulations. You should read and consider these before you apply.
University of Portsmouth
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Portsmouth
PO1 2UP
T: +44 (0)23 9284 8484
E: info.centre@port.ac.uk