Children's Book Illustration and Graphic Novels MA

Course content

What will you study on the MA Children's Book Illustration and Graphic Novels?

You will study all aspects of narrative illustration within children’s books and graphic novels. The course combines theoretical and practical work to give you a strong foundation from which to produce your own narrative and sequential illustrations. You will also study historical and contemporary examples of illustration from children’s novels and graphic novels.

What will you gain?

You will gain the skills to create your own narrative and sequential illustration. By the end of the course you will be able to produce your own children’s books and graphic novels, using various printing and binding methods. You will also have an understanding of the market and the knowledge to negotiate the publishing business.

In this module you will explore a chosen area of illustration in a contemporary context while enhancing your technical skills. You will learn to employ a variety of reflective methods to develop your own creative research proposal with the advanced communication skills to present, discuss and evaluate your work.

In this module you’ll explore the key concepts, ideas, issues and research methodologies relating to the practice and theory of children’s books and graphic novels. With particular focus on the cultural and social contexts within your chosen discipline, you’ll produce a portfolio of critical responses to contemporary debates in research and professional practice.

This module will explore sequential imagery in storytelling, looking particularly at opportunities for gaining access to the publishing industry. As part of this module you will assemble a store of visual proposals, enabling you to present your ideas to publishing houses.

This module will prepare you for your final major project by enabling you to explore the work of practitioners and scholars in illustration and the contemporary research problems they face. By the end of this module you will have produced an illustrated research survey demonstrating your findings and investigations.

The major project is an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired during the course to the process of writing and illustrating your own children’s book or graphic novel, supported by critical and reflective written work that demonstrates your resolution and expertise.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Module and programme information is indicative and may be subject to change.