BA (Hons) Illustration
University of Lincoln
Key Information
Campus location
Lincoln, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 - 4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* late applications will be considered if suitable vacancies remain
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Introduction
BA Hons Illustration at Lincoln not only explores the contemporary, professional aspects of illustration but is also focused on developing students' confidence to discover their creative voice and problem-solving resolve.
The course aims to create highly sophisticated visual communicators, whose work demonstrates a high level of craft and an aesthetic flare, across both digital and analogue media, platforms and projects.
Students can benefit from a dedicated studio space, specialist art and design facilities, and digital equipment. They may also have opportunities to:
- Meet with established illustrators, publishers, and industry experts.
- Engage with live projects, and national and international competitions and collaborations.
- Exhibit and publish their own work, most notably, in a final year Graduate Show, physically or online.
- Gain advice about pursuing a freelance career, employment, and entrepreneurship, and learn about handling commissions and negotiating with clients.
"This information was correct at the time of publishing (July 2023)"
Admissions
Curriculum
How You Study
This BA (Hons) Illustration degree aims to help students to explore their personal direction, as an illustrator in preparation for a career in industry. By delving into both traditional and contemporary approaches to illustration, this course deals not just with 'what it is', but also with what you think it should be.
Tutors place an emphasis on experimentation, and on developing an ability to visually communicate with audiences by seeing relationships between image and text, or the spoken word. The course is also focused on helping students to contextualise the profession of illustration in relation to society.
Students are able to develop a professional portfolio of work by engaging with independent, collaborative, and industry-led briefs and projects, and by developing a range of professional skills that will serve them throughout their careers.
The first year of study focuses on helping students develop visual and conceptual skills through drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, and associated digital, design, illustration, and thinking processes.
This is followed, in the second year, by the study of editorial and book illustrations aimed at selected clients and audiences. During this year, ethically and culturally orientated issues and debates are explored.
In the final year, students may have the opportunity to respond to contemporary illustration briefs, including 'live' competitions. The focus is on enabling students to produce a portfolio that showcases their unique, individual abilities and a bespoke approach to illustration.
Studio practice is a key element of this course, and students will have the opportunity to spend a lot of time in a creative studio environment. Teaching and learning experiences may include studio activities, peer groups, lectures, workshops, seminars, and group tutorials. Students can also benefit from a face-to-face consultation with their tutor during portfolio reviews and self-directed projects.
First Year
- Contextual Studies 1 (Core)
- Digital and Sequential Illustration (Core)
- Drawing and Process (Core)
- Introduction to Illustration (Core)
Second Year
- Audience and Message (Core)
- Books and Storytelling (Core)
- Contextual Studies 2 (Core)
- Thinking and Making (Core)
Third Year
- Contemporary Illustration (Core)
- Contextual Studies 3 (Core)
- Negotiated Illustration (Core)
- Professionalism and Commissions (Core)
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
How You Are Assessed
As this course aims to develop a wide range of practical and intellectual skills, assessment is varied and includes presentations, written projects, individual and group practical work, projects, and portfolios, in addition to academic essays.
There are no formal end-of-year examinations. Throughout the degree, students are assessed through their production of practical and written work.
Assessment Feedback
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly - usually within 15 working days after the submission date.
Methods of Assessment
The way students are assessed in this course may vary for each module. Examples of assessment methods that are used include coursework for example including design project work and presentations; and written assignments. The weighting given to each assessment method may vary across each academic year. The University of Lincoln aims to ensure that staff return in-course assessments to students promptly.
Gallery
Program Outcome
How You Study
This BA (Hons) Illustration degree aims to help students to explore their personal direction, as an illustrator in preparation for a career in industry. By delving into both traditional and contemporary approaches to illustration, this course deals not just with 'what it is', but also what you think it should be.
Tutors place an emphasis on experimentation, and on developing an ability to visually communicate with audiences by seeing relationships between image and text, or the spoken word. The course is also focused on helping students to contextualise the profession of illustration in relation to society.
Students are able to develop a professional portfolio of work by engaging with independent, collaborative, and industry-led briefs and projects, and by developing a range of professional skills that will serve them throughout your career.
The first year of study focuses on helping students develop visual and conceptual skills through drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, and associated digital, design, illustration, and thinking processes.
This is followed, in the second year, by the study of editorial and book illustration aimed at selected clients and audiences. During this year, ethically and culturally orientated issues and debates are explored.
In the final year, students may have the opportunity to respond to contemporary illustration briefs, including 'live' competitions. The focus is on enabling students to produce a portfolio that showcases their unique, individual abilities and a bespoke approach to illustration.
Studio practice is a key element of this course, and students will have the opportunity to spend a lot time in a creative studio environment. Teaching and learning experiences may include studio activities, peer groups, lectures, workshops, seminars, and group tutorials. Students can also benefit from face to face consultation with your tutor during portfolio reviews and around self-directed projects.
Scholarships and Funding
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships.
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Illustration graduates have gone on to develop successful international careers in illustration and art direction for advertising agencies, publishing houses, in graphic novels, zines, comics, as well as book illustration. They've also gone on to work in games design, storyboarding for cinema, graphic design, and animation. An increasing number of entrepreneurial graduates have launched their own businesses and pursued careers in the broader creative industries.