Illustration, B.F.A.

Foundation Year (Art School)

All first-year students are required to complete the foundation program. It consists of multiple courses taken in tandem. These courses are designed to introduce the students to fundamental processes and principles of artmaking. The objective of the program is to develop the student’s perceptions, sensitivity and technical skills.

The typical first-year schedule is as follows:

Second Year of Study (Art School)

In the second year, students are required to select courses from a variety of studio offerings. The intent of the second year is to introduce specific media skills and processes in depth, and to provide a broad range of artistic experiences for the student prior to the declaration of the major. During the second year, students are required to select one 3-credit course, not in their intended major, from each of the following categories:

1. ceramics or sculpture
2. painting/drawing, or visual communication design
3. photography or media arts
4. printmaking or illustration

The remaining 12 credits of studio course work in the second year are elective. Students who have determined a major area of study are encouraged to use these elective studios to begin fulfilling the requirements of the major. Students who have not determined a major are encouraged to distribute these electives among different media.

Second-year students intending to major in visual communication design or illustration should consult with those departments prior to choosing studio electives in the second year.

In addition, students in the second year are required to elect at least one academic course each semester in order to maintain a reasonable completion rate of academic requirements.

Required credits: 33

(Taken in illustration and cognate areas as required by the department)

The curriculum for illustration is designed to introduce the student to the processes and techniques used by illustrators. Particular attention is paid to informing the student of illustration about the three primary markets for illustrators: advertising illustration, editorial illustration, and book illustration. The introductory level emphasizes black-and-white techniques. Intermediate levels introduce and reinforce techniques for working in color applying various media. Emphasis, with extensive practice, is placed upon illustrating with the figure at the intermediate level. At the advanced level, students are introduced to advertising, editorial, and book illustration. Emphasis is also placed on portfolio presentation at the advanced level, as students learn to prepare their work for professional presentation. Considerable emphasis is placed on the development of personal style and direction throughout the program. Cognate studies in visual communication design, painting, drawing, figure sculpture, and photography are strongly recommended for refining techniques.

Required Courses for the Major

• ILS 210 - Drawing for Illustration 3 credit(s)
• ILS 220 - Introductory Illustration 3 credit(s)
• ILS 289 - Sophomore Review 0 credit(s)
• ILS 320 - Intermediate Illustration 1 3 credit(s)
• ILS 330P - Intermediate Illustration 2 3 credit(s)
• ILS 332 - Intermediate Illustration 3 3 credit(s)
• ILS 333 - Intermediate Illustration: Figure 3 credit(s)
• ILS 336 - Digital Illustration 3 credit(s)
• ILS 389 - Junior Review 0 credit(s)
• ILS 443P - Portfolio Preparation 3 credit(s)
• ILS 444 - Senior Project: Illustration 3 credit(s)

6 credits from the following 3 courses:

• ILS 338 - Book Illustration 3 credit(s)
• ILS 440 - Editorial Illustration 3 credit(s)
• ILS 442 - Advertising Illustration 3 credit(s)