BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art

Duration

3 years / 4 years with placement year

Institution code

L28

UCAS Code

3 years W223 / 4 years W224

An illustration of a man wearing glasses, a straw hat, a brown jacket with yellow and lilac details, beige shorts and white socks with brown sandals. The background is green and he holds flowers in one hand. The drawing also shows development sketches for the jacket collar and a description of the jacket details, which are based on lotus roots.
An illustration of a man wearing glasses, a straw hat, a brown jacket with yellow and lilac details, beige shorts and white socks with brown sandals. The background is green and he holds flowers in one hand. The drawing also shows development sketches for the jacket collar and a description of the jacket details, which are based on lotus roots.

Andrei Kopylenko

Six vibrant images, digitally painted, that appear to represent trees or fireworks. The colours are bright reds, yellows, purple, blues and pinks.
Six vibrant images, digitally painted, that appear to represent trees or fireworks. The colours are bright reds, yellows, purple, blues and pinks.

Andrei Kopylenko

Two illustrations of a person wearing a long red dress with wide sleeves and vine-like tendrils. In the first image they hold a red parasol over their head and their hair is up and woven with red tendrils and leaves. In the second image their hair is loose, their head is severed and floating above their body and blood appears from their eyes and mouth.
Two illustrations of a person wearing a long red dress with wide sleeves and vine-like tendrils. In the first image they hold a red parasol over their head and their hair is up and woven with red tendrils and leaves. In the second image their hair is loose, their head is severed and floating above their body and blood appears from their eyes and mouth.

Cordelia Dundas

A very dark illustration of a person holding a lantern, and standing in front of stone ruins
A very dark illustration of a person holding a lantern, and standing in front of stone ruins

Jessamy Martin

A comic art illustration of two people looking towards each other. One is wearing black, and has black feathered wings coming out of their neck, the other is wearing white and has white wings.
A comic art illustration of two people looking towards each other. One is wearing black, and has black feathered wings coming out of their neck, the other is wearing white and has white wings.

Kai Spiewak

Illustrations of a character called The Ferryman, showing a front and back view and some development sketches. They are a blue/grey colour, have a long fish-like tale and are wearing a brown straw hat and red striped trousers. The text reads: A man who lives his life out on the water in his house/food vendor boat. The ferryman provides Jayvyn safe refuge as he's on the run from Tamisra. The Ferryman wears a hat that his bird sleeps in.
Illustrations of a character called The Ferryman, showing a front and back view and some development sketches. They are a blue/grey colour, have a long fish-like tale and are wearing a brown straw hat and red striped trousers. The text reads: A man who lives his life out on the water in his house/food vendor boat. The ferryman provides Jayvyn safe refuge as he's on the run from Tamisra. The Ferryman wears a hat that his bird sleeps in.

Max Sherwood

Comic art of a turqiose sea. On the surface drawings of litter, dead fish and other and debris, whilst a person crashes into the sea. The black text in yellow blocks reads: Ever since humanity gave up on the sea...everything that they didn't want on land ended up down here. Anthing from scraps, garbage, unsused appliances, people.
Comic art of a turqiose sea. On the surface drawings of litter, dead fish and other and debris, whilst a person crashes into the sea. The black text in yellow blocks reads: Ever since humanity gave up on the sea...everything that they didn't want on land ended up down here. Anthing from scraps, garbage, unsused appliances, people.

Music Tiamethakorn

A comic book illustration of an island with a blue light at the tip against a pink sunset. The image is overlayed with smaller images in boxes which show different scenes of life on the island. The text reads: The island looks so beautiful from afar when all the lights distract you from the reality of life at the mouths of the rivers.
A comic book illustration of an island with a blue light at the tip against a pink sunset. The image is overlayed with smaller images in boxes which show different scenes of life on the island. The text reads: The island looks so beautiful from afar when all the lights distract you from the reality of life at the mouths of the rivers.

Music Tiamethakorn

A colour illustration of the exterior of a small wooden house with one orange framed window and an orange door. Grass and small flowers grow over the roof and down the sides of the house. Small black and white pencil sketches show the exterior from a different angle, a close up of the door, and two interior sketches.
A colour illustration of the exterior of a small wooden house with one orange framed window and an orange door. Grass and small flowers grow over the roof and down the sides of the house. Small black and white pencil sketches show the exterior from a different angle, a close up of the door, and two interior sketches.

Olivia Jones

A digital illustration of mountains against a sky of blues and greens. A silvery creature shaped like a dragon is flying through the sky.
A digital illustration of mountains against a sky of blues and greens. A silvery creature shaped like a dragon is flying through the sky.

Olivia Jones

A detailed and colourful 3D isometric illustration of the main floor of a house. Written descriptions accompany each room.
A detailed and colourful 3D isometric illustration of the main floor of a house. Written descriptions accompany each room.

Pecolier Scoggin

An anime style illustration of a person with large eyes and a long fringe. They are resting against their hand and are surrounded by flowers. The image is tones of green.
An anime style illustration of a person with large eyes and a long fringe. They are resting against their hand and are surrounded by flowers. The image is tones of green.

Raa Mahmood

A comic page showing two characters, a person and a ghost, in a messy house. They discuss giving a tour and cleaning surrounded by clutter.
A comic page showing two characters, a person and a ghost, in a messy house. They discuss giving a tour and cleaning surrounded by clutter.

Ray Grindell

A dark illustration against a black background of a person wearing a gold hat and a green outfit with gold details. The trousers are attached like suspenders. They are wearing a cape large gold collar and hold a long sword across both shoulders.
A dark illustration against a black background of a person wearing a gold hat and a green outfit with gold details. The trousers are attached like suspenders. They are wearing a cape large gold collar and hold a long sword across both shoulders.

Rene Haase

Digital artwork of a wooden hut in a desert. The hut has four pillars and a wheel above the door. The hut is in front of a large boulder and next to an even larger rock formation. The sky is a bright turquoise blue.
Digital artwork of a wooden hut in a desert. The hut has four pillars and a wheel above the door. The hut is in front of a large boulder and next to an even larger rock formation. The sky is a bright turquoise blue.

Steinar Thorsteinsson

The Course

This experiential course gives you space to explore theory, practice, and professional contexts of comic and concept art. Discover the diverse possibilities of these exciting fields through practical, transdisciplinary, and industry-relevant skills.

This course is one of the first to bring together comic and concept art. You will refine your design, drawing and digital visualisation skills to create believable worlds and bring immersive stories from your imagination to life.

Using emerging technologies and industry-standard software, you will develop your design and planning skills alongside comic and concept art outputs. There is a strong emphasis on engaging with industry from the start of the course and gaining professional practice skills.

Our local, national, and international industry links allow you to learn from practising artists, live briefs, and industry workshops. We position all comic and concept art within an international context, which has included involvement in Thought Bubble – the leading European comic art festival based in Yorkshire.

We encourage creative collaboration within the course and across the University, learning to work to briefs, participate in competitions, and have your work critiqued. You will develop your understanding of studio and freelance practice while gaining expert skills suitable for a range of creative careers.

Former students have forged successful careers in concept art for film and gaming industries, published comics, and worked in theatre design.

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The Structure

The course starts by shaping how you think and draw as a comic and concept artist. Practical workshops develop your design drawing, idea generation, and visual storytelling. Lectures and seminars focus on the historical and professional contexts of comic and concept art industries. Projects and art tests give you a taste of what is required to be a comic and concept artist. Experimentation and developing traditional drawing skills inform your 2D and 3D digital output.

Course Facilities

The studios for BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art students are outfitted with industry-standard equipment including high specification iMacs, Wacom Cintiqs and Intuos Pros as well as industry-standard software for 2D digital painting, 3D modelling, and digital sculpting. There is a dedicated booth with hi-spec PCs and VR headsets to explore virtual reality workflows and production for concept art and comics.

Students will also have access to a wide range of resources with a drop-in facility so work can be undertaken, provided resource inductions have been completed. For Comic and Concept Art students this will include print resources which provide excellent facilities for bookmaking and paper-based printmaking using a range of processes; 3D resources housed in dedicated workshops providing students with a hands-on experience including casting; access to industry standard laser cutters; professional-standard, large-format digital printing and print finishing.

Computer suites house networks of Apple Mac computers featuring regularly updated, industry-standard software for a wide range of creative applications that support all our courses and a purpose-built specialist library which includes including special collections of artists’ books, photobooks and illustrated books as well as the University archive. Self service facilities are available throughout, supported by a dedicated and experienced team of library staff.

A photograph of spacious classroom with rows of desks, chairs and computers under bright ceiling lights, featuring large windows and framed artwork on the walls.

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art

Virtual Tour

Video Showcase

Study Abroad

Studying abroad can help Leeds Arts University students gain valuable experience, broaden their horizons, develop international networks and experience their practice from a different perspective. Leeds Arts University has a global network of international partner universities in 15 different countries. Students can apply for a semester abroad in their second year of study.

Photograph of rolls of colourful flower-patterned fabrics lined together. The colours include creams, yellows, pinks, greens and lilacs.
Photograph of rolls of colourful flower-patterned fabrics lined together. The colours include creams, yellows, pinks, greens and lilacs.

Anna Cooper

A digital illustration of pink leaves in a vertical pattern with white blossoms dotted around on a sage green background There are three monkeys placed in different positions around the leaves.
A digital illustration of pink leaves in a vertical pattern with white blossoms dotted around on a sage green background There are three monkeys placed in different positions around the leaves.

Beth Daborn

A digital illustration featuring two different patterns side by side. The first pattern consists of three quarters of the design and features a white ornate palace with trees dotted around. The second pattern features green palm trees against a dark green background.
A digital illustration featuring two different patterns side by side. The first pattern consists of three quarters of the design and features a white ornate palace with trees dotted around. The second pattern features green palm trees against a dark green background.

Caitlin Stracey

A repeat pattern digital illustration of flowers and leaves against a bright pink background. The flowers and leaves are different shades of pinks, creams, blues and greens.
A repeat pattern digital illustration of flowers and leaves against a bright pink background. The flowers and leaves are different shades of pinks, creams, blues and greens.

Carrie Osborne

A close-up photograph of a hand painting a colourful floral design on a canvas. The flowers’ colours include orange, blue, pink and green.
A close-up photograph of a hand painting a colourful floral design on a canvas. The flowers’ colours include orange, blue, pink and green.

Corinne Snell

A digital collage  featuring different printed designs in various abstract shapes in greens, blacks, reds and lilacs.
A digital collage  featuring different printed designs in various abstract shapes in greens, blacks, reds and lilacs.

Durie Kate

Two photographs featuring a collage of various blue fabrics placed together with different print and embroidered patterns. The second photograph shows a person placing a piece of fabric on the collage.
Two photographs featuring a collage of various blue fabrics placed together with different print and embroidered patterns. The second photograph shows a person placing a piece of fabric on the collage.

Emelie Harford

A digital illustration of a repeat pattern of different coloured flowers and leaves. Colours include blues, pinks, creams and oranges.
A digital illustration of a repeat pattern of different coloured flowers and leaves. Colours include blues, pinks, creams and oranges.

Holly Greenwood

A digital pattern illustration featuring tropical leaves of various greens and oranges. Two birds are resting on the leaves and the background consists of a green print design.
A digital pattern illustration featuring tropical leaves of various greens and oranges. Two birds are resting on the leaves and the background consists of a green print design.

Jessica Fox

A digital repeat pattern print featuring otters in the sea among flowers, seaweed and fish. The colours include a light grey and orange.
A digital repeat pattern print featuring otters in the sea among flowers, seaweed and fish. The colours include a light grey and orange.

Laura Croft

A digital repeat pattern illustration featuring colourful flowers on a light blue background. Colours include blues, yellows, greens and oranges.
A digital repeat pattern illustration featuring colourful flowers on a light blue background. Colours include blues, yellows, greens and oranges.

Madeleine Whalley

A digital illustration of a repeat print featuring pink flowers adorned with blue leaves and birds flying around them. The background of the print is a dark teal.
A digital illustration of a repeat print featuring pink flowers adorned with blue leaves and birds flying around them. The background of the print is a dark teal.

Martha Walmsley

A digital illustration of a repeat pattern featuring purple cartoon frogs holding yellow umbrellas. Raindrop shapes cascade down in pink, yellow and purple.
A digital illustration of a repeat pattern featuring purple cartoon frogs holding yellow umbrellas. Raindrop shapes cascade down in pink, yellow and purple.

Narinda Ghataora

A digital illustration of a geometric pattern of different squares with vertical and horizontal lines and circles consisting of polka dots. Colours include oranges, greens, white and blacks.
A digital illustration of a geometric pattern of different squares with vertical and horizontal lines and circles consisting of polka dots. Colours include oranges, greens, white and blacks.

Rothera Millie

A photograph of a printed design with abstract shapes. One third of the design has a dark pink background with blue and black shapes. The other third has a white background with black shapes and the last part of the design has purple shapes on a black background.
A photograph of a printed design with abstract shapes. One third of the design has a dark pink background with blue and black shapes. The other third has a white background with black shapes and the last part of the design has purple shapes on a black background.

Sarah Milton

Accolades

Recent student successes include:

  • Game Republic’s industry-ready bootcamp, 2024

  • Thought Bubble Festival micro-bursary, 2023

  • First Prize, The Sustainability Award 2022

  • First Prize, 3DTotal Character Design Competition 2021

  • Bronze prize, International Comic School Contest 2020

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be prepared for employment across a range of roles including commercial comic art, storyboard art, concept art, character design, visual development, creature design and experience design for a range of companies within the animation, games, TV and advertising industries. Graduates may also continue to postgraduate study, including onto our MA Comic Art and Graphic Novel.

Academic Staff

A photograph of Claire Smith against a plain background.

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Claire Smith

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art and MA Comic Art and Graphic Novel - Course Leader
A photograph of a Jack Baker wearing glasses and a cap.

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Jack Baker

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept - Lecturer
A black and white  photograph of Charlotte Dobson against a plain background.

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Charlotte Dobson

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept - Senior Lecturer
A photograph with James Lawrence against a plain background.

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James Lawrence

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art and MA Comic Art and Graphic Novel - Senior Lecturer
A black and white photo of Dilraj Mann against a plain white background.

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Dilraj Mann

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art - Lecturer
A photograph of Will Morris against a plain background.

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Will Morris

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art - Lecturer
A photograph of Emily Ormerod against a plain background.

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Emily Ormerod

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art - Lecturer
A photograph of Mark Penman against a plain background.

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Mark Penman

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art - Senior Lecturer
Robert Silkstone

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Robert Silkstone

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art - Senior Lecturer

*Please note that our courses are subject to an annual review process in order to maintain their quality and enhance the student experience. As a result, Course Specifications may be amended for the coming year.

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