On this innovative course you can turn your stories and creative concepts into narrative art by exploring the art of illustration and visual communication in children’s and adult’s narrative, together with editorial and journalistic illustration.
In dedicated studio space at our Below Bar campus, you’ll study a variety of units such as concepts and themes, visual language, critical discourse, editorial, fairytale and folklore and contemporary art critique, with options to specialise in your preferred area.
You’ll also propose, plan and produce a body of work that will draw together your technical and conceptual skills and demonstrate competence in studio protocols and proficiency in applying methods, materials and technologies. This innovative degree explores the art of illustration and visual communication in children’s and adult’s narrative, together with editorial and journalistic illustration.
Students are encouraged to experiment and develop their own voice in an environment where they will feel free to take risks and be ambitious in developing their personal approach to visual art as either a practitioner or critic and theorist. To underpin creativity and encourage understanding of transferable skills and management of learning, emphasis is placed on gaining hands-on practice, from working in the print room to drawing on the streets, and working on projects and case studies to gain experience of working on live briefs.
In previous years, students have been given the opportunity to exhibit, both in Southampton and London, and to have their work seen by a collection of art directors and agencies. Past students have also been encouraged to enter industry competitions to gain exposure for their creative work and have also been able to publish and print their work through our in-house printing organisation to sell at artists’ book fairs.
What does this course lead to?
Course graduates have found a wide variety of roles, including freelance illustrators, gallery curators and technicians, printmaking technicians, graphic designers, private press publishers, junior web designers, and art and textiles technicians.
Who is this course for?
Solent’s BA (Hons) Illustration programme is perfect for students from a creative background who are aspiring to careers in printmaking, book illustration, graphic design or arts teaching.
Graduates will have developed a professional portfolio and will be well positioned to progress into further study at postgraduate level.
