Illustration with a Foundation Year - BA (Hons)

Foundation year

Working in a lively and energetic environment you will be given the freedom to expand your knowledge in conceptual development, practical skills and creative exploration underpinned by broad critical understanding and emerging theoretical principles.

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

• Understanding Context
• Creative Development & Production
• Perspectives on Practice
• Creative Realisation

First Year

You will undertake an Introduction to Visual Communication alongside students from the other Visual Communication degree paths. You will begin to formulate knowledge and understanding of the subject’s key visual and intellectual principles.

With the support from staff within the School you will start to develop a real depth of knowledge of illustration practice, as well as other design related areas. Towards the end of your first year, and into the second, you will receive guidance helping you to select your chosen area of practice within illustration and possible career progression.

Your modules will cover the processes of production within the field of illustration. You will develop entrepreneurial and collaborative skills through the Introduction to Visual Communication module, as well as developing connections across the four different subject disciplines, preparing you for the life of an illustrator.

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):

• Introduction to Visual Communication
• Principles and Practice of Illustration
• Enterprise of Illustration
• Discourse

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules.

• Narrative (Space and Place)
• Narrative (Time and Sequence)
• Narrative (Sound and Movement)
• Narrative (Text and Image)
• Narrative (People and Identity)

Core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.

Second Year

In your second year of study you will develop your practice, producing successful commercial outputs through a wide range of different projects and context. Your studies will focus on contextualising your chosen discipline within specific aspects of contemporary practice.

Live projects, industry links and competitions form a key part of the curriculum from this stage of the course onwards. We will encourage you to reflect upon your strengths and weaknesses and advise you to build upon achievements in order to improve your performance. Active participation through various workshops and masterclasses are a key part of the second year.

During your second year you will begin to focus on a specific area of illustration, preparing you for your final year of study. Working alongside a specially assigned tutor, as well as small groups you will identify and research a specific area of illustration practice. This will be supported by seminars and lecturers from industry experts.

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):

• Context of Illustration
• Identifying Direction
• Live Project

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules.

• Work Placement
• Collaborative Practice
• Core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.

Final Year

You will develop sustained and original work which will demand a lot of independent study. This will culminate in a dissertation, where you will develop and refine your specialist knowledge of a particular area of practice.

Your final year focuses on your professional future, ensuring your project work provides you with the research and skills you need to prepare yourself for after graduation.

You will have the opportunity to showcase your final year project at our Visual Communications graduate show, as well as having the chance to be nominated for a Visual Communication Graduate Award. In the past we have had award sponsors such as illustrator Dave McKean, photographer Brian Griffin and Trevor Beattie.

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

• Critical Practice
• Major Project