Illustration

UCAS code: W221

Here's what Falmouth University says about its Illustration course.

Follow in the footsteps of award-winning alumni on this renowned Illustration degree.

Illustration is a powerful means of expressing ideas, eliciting emotion and sparking imagination. By enhancing your traditional craft skills and experimenting with new technologies, tools and techniques, you’ll develop your own unique visual language as you master the art of making images come to life. You’ll become an original, critical thinker, an adept visual problem solver and, through interactions with clients, art directors and designers, you’ll gain the skills needed to create a standout portfolio and the professional experience required to succeed in your career.

You will: Be part of a thriving and immersive studio culture that embraces innovation, champions risk-taking and encourages creative collaboration Create your own digital portfolio and marketing campaign using digital platforms to reach global audiences Get your work seen by art directors, editors and designers around the world by engaging with a range of professional platforms Attend guest lectures from alumni and industry leaders that have previously included Dave McKean, Owen Davey, Harriett Lee Merrion and Edel Rodriguez Learn vital professional practice skills by working on engaging industry briefs Participate in our industry feedback week, gaining personalised portfolio feedback from agencies, publishers and design houses Explore illustration as a tool for positive change, in response to environmental, ethical and moral challenges

During your Illustration course, you’ll develop an authentic visual language by experimenting with a broad range of media and processes, as well as established and emerging technologies. You’ll learn to communicate conceptually using visual problem-solving strategies and techniques combined with ongoing reflective analysis and research.

You’ll also build strong project management and collaboration skills, learning to translate briefs and see a project through from ideation to research and development to final output. Further industry insights and experience will be gained through our programme of internationally renowned guest speakers.

Year one In your first year, you’ll be supported to explore, question and disrupt new processes and practices. Through project briefs, workshops, collaborative projects, lectures and presentations, you’ll be introduced to a range of creative processes: from critical thinking to practical hands-on skills across different mediums. You also begin to engage with a wider industry context, connecting with art directors, publishers, designers, advertising agencies, illustration agencies and freelance illustrators.

Modules Visual Problem Solving Practice & Purpose Media & Methods Context & Audience

Year two Exciting briefs, workshops, lectures and presentations will introduce you to in-depth learning that includes a growing awareness of audience, refining practical skills, critical research, project management, history and theory and collaborative practice. Working both independently and in groups, you’ll also embrace challenging subjects and explore the environment around us to investigate how illustration can be used to inform and implement change.

As you progress through this stage of the Illustration degree, you’ll begin to develop your own self-initiated projects as well as a range of collaborations. As more industry facing experiences begin to be introduced through live briefs and lectures, you’ll be challenged to question convention, disrupt, innovate and maintain risk and courageous thinking throughout.

Modules Refine & Apply Challenging Subjects Introduce & Negotiate Collaboration

Year three The final year allows you to refine your approach and to test and challenge your?emerging fields of interest, culminating in a final digital portfolio of work and an industry feedback contextual report.?

The modules are designed to help you define your creative future?beyond the course. You’ll continue to build core skills while reflecting critically on your?strengths and exploring alternative models of practice.

Modules Define & Realise Research & Extend Connect & Transition Professional Practice

As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.

100% of your assessment will be coursework.

Assessment will take place at the end of each semester, and you'll get feedback and evaluation throughout the year. You'll be assessed through visual, verbal and written assignments, including your portfolio, as well as a research proposal.