Illustration BA (Hons)

You will be encouraged to extend and develop your ideas and approaches in a unique, explorative context. This will be done through the production of artworks with in-depth research relevant to your own personal ideologies. You will work in response to current events and develop your visual language in order to communicate your opinions through a socially engaged body of work. 

Compulsory

The aim of the module is to explore and navigate the inter-dimensional nature of your art and design practice, integrating and innovating through a diverse mixed media approach. You will extend these areas to create new and exciting visual languages and artefacts that are relevant to contemporary practice. Exploration of an iterative process based upon experiment, evaluation and modification is the focus for the module. 

Compulsory

In this module you will continue to produce a body of portfolio work to a diverse range of contextually significant illustration briefs. You will be expected to extend and develop your ideas and approaches and start to formalise an adaptable and unique style of creating. Individual work will take the form of a series of briefs and self-initiated projects modelled on current professional and creative practice and will culminate in a body of work that reflects a resolved and focused application of ideas. You may pursue live project briefs, exhibitions, competitions and commissions within the module². 

Compulsory

In this module you will explore materials and approaches that are unfamiliar to you as part of your continued development. The emphasis of this module is to explore new concepts and technical approaches to aid artistic development through project work and practical exercises, with a focus on experimentation and risk taking being key. You will be given the freedom to make mistakes and embrace the ‘happy accident’ with outcomes being judged on the process rather than the final outcome. 

Compulsory

This module aims to develop your skills and abilities to construct visual narratives appropriate to identified age groups and produce portfolio pieces for publishing. You will be introduced to various types of narrative formats including children’s picture books, graphic novels and comics. The module will explore ways in which consecutive imagery, linear and non-linear sequences can communicate ideas, drawing on both personal and socially relevant subject matter. You should develop the ability to express your ideas through the use of dynamic page layout, sequencing, image to text relationships, stylistic considerations, digital image making processes and script development and writing. 

Compulsory

You will propose and present work in a range of contexts, that straddles various media including; print, photography, digital drawing /painting. The module should increase your understanding of professional illustration practice and particularly focuses on identifying appropriate contexts and contemporary markets for your work. The outcome from the module will culminate in a professionally presented piece of work, which will be marketed within an additional group collective context. You will also be expected to contribute to the creation of a coherent identity for the group and take an active role in the organization and marketing activities. This may involve design, publicity, or other online promotional activity. 

Compulsory

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement² undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes. 

Optional

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement² undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes. 

Optional

This module should enable you to consider what it takes to become an entrepreneurial illustrator, research the marketplace and test the viability of your plans post-graduation. Building on career aspirations you should have identified in the previous year, you will undertake research into your desired role within the industry and formulate a plan to achieve your goals. You will write a clearly articulated plan across a range of time frames, and this should include a detailed understanding of audience/ clients, brand values, pricing, revenue streams and financial planning. 

Compulsory

Building on the previous year's diagnostic elements of the course, this module should provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills and experience towards a specific area of illustration practice. You will critically appraise your own practice in relation to your professional goals, building a portfolio of work which is underpinned through theoretical, contextual and professional research carried out in the adjacent professional practice module. 

Compulsory

In this module, you will explore and produce self-promotional work that takes into account your understanding of your specific area of creative practice, career path and your professional aspirations. You should learn about a range of marketing and promotional strategies relevant to Illustration and to the wider creative arts sector and a range of professional contexts.   

Compulsory

You will produce a creative digital portfolio and online presence to enable you to present and promote yourself as a creative practitioner in your specific community of practice and to potential clients. This module is designed to support and assist you in preparing for your future career and develop a range of online connections to a global community of practice.  

Compulsory

This module provides you with an extended period of studio practice, to allow the opportunity to consolidate and refine your illustration practice. This module should help you to produce a substantial, sustained and coherent body of work leading towards a relevant professional portfolio. It also provides you with the opportunity to both conceive and manage complex and challenging projects in a variety of media, by responding to a mixture of live externally set briefs, and/or by extending your own studio practice. Projects may be hypothetical or personal, providing suitable context and purpose can be evidenced and supported. You may choose to work collaboratively with either clients, organisations and audiences, or individually, establishing a realistic and externally tested personal practice. 

Compulsory