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 illustrated design of 'Pinto & Pot at the Great Mouse Tournament' featuring a knightly mouse named Pinto and a large blue creature named Pot.
An illustrated design of 'Pinto & Pot at the Great Mouse Tournament' featuring a knightly mouse named Pinto and a large blue creature named Pot.

Maria Ancherani

An illustrated design of a flying saddle with storage and vibrant decorations and a whimsical stable with labeled front and side views.
An illustrated design of a flying saddle with storage and vibrant decorations and a whimsical stable with labeled front and side views.

Maria Ancherani

A black-and-white comic scene of warriors with a giant serpent being touched on the neck by a  man wielding an axe. Text reads: 'Mad men rule the isles', 'You must earn your stay' and '...And pay with blood'.
A black-and-white comic scene of warriors with a giant serpent being touched on the neck by a  man wielding an axe. Text reads: 'Mad men rule the isles', 'You must earn your stay' and '...And pay with blood'.

Tim Barzallo

An illustrated design featuring three mystical figures surrounding a tattooed kneeling man with warriors and a skull in the background. Speech bubbles contain cryptic text.
An illustrated design featuring three mystical figures surrounding a tattooed kneeling man with warriors and a skull in the background. Speech bubbles contain cryptic text.

Tim Barzallo

An illustrated design featuring a mechanical structure resembling a house on legs, surrounded by sand and sketches above titled: 'The Nafftzan's Walking Well.'
An illustrated design featuring a mechanical structure resembling a house on legs, surrounded by sand and sketches above titled: 'The Nafftzan's Walking Well.'

Angie Maharani

A collage showcasing the artistic process: from research imagery and materials, through 3D development sketches to a vivid final illustration.
A collage showcasing the artistic process: from research imagery and materials, through 3D development sketches to a vivid final illustration.

Angie Maharani

A comic showing a chemistry teacher assigning project partners. A girl looks concerned as she is paired with someone unexpected.
A comic showing a chemistry teacher assigning project partners. A girl looks concerned as she is paired with someone unexpected.

Aedon Rasch

A comic strip showing two characters engaging in a conversation about sports and reading with pink and blue backgrounds.
A comic strip showing two characters engaging in a conversation about sports and reading with pink and blue backgrounds.

Aedon Rasch

Designs of the cartoon character 'Wizzy the Wiz Kid' in various poses with details of a wand, hat, and prehistoric attire showcasing a time-travel theme.
Designs of the cartoon character 'Wizzy the Wiz Kid' in various poses with details of a wand, hat, and prehistoric attire showcasing a time-travel theme.

Sara I. Shafeeq

Designs of the character 'Cursival the cavalier' showing moveset animations, detailed character sketches and a brief backstory.
Designs of the character 'Cursival the cavalier' showing moveset animations, detailed character sketches and a brief backstory.

Sara I. Shafeeq

A black and white comic panel of a young elf in bed contemplative with speech bubbles discussing sisters, a doll-maker, and Vampyres.
A black and white comic panel of a young elf in bed contemplative with speech bubbles discussing sisters, a doll-maker, and Vampyres.

Evie Heymans

A comic featuring a person sneaking out holding a cross and meeting someone named Rene in a forest who expresses being lost in the dark.
A comic featuring a person sneaking out holding a cross and meeting someone named Rene in a forest who expresses being lost in the dark.

Evie Heymans

A cozy kitchen illustration with detailed sketches titled 'Grandma's Kitchen'. It features a cluttered, vibrant room, a table with food and a staircase to the side.
A cozy kitchen illustration with detailed sketches titled 'Grandma's Kitchen'. It features a cluttered, vibrant room, a table with food and a staircase to the side.

Sophie Biggs

An illustration with s shadowy figure vows to empower the people against a careless king, as a knight leads a crowd in revolt, holding a sword aloft.
An illustration with s shadowy figure vows to empower the people against a careless king, as a knight leads a crowd in revolt, holding a sword aloft.

Ty Murray-Patel

An illustration of a person with a focused expression holding a crystal ball. Text reads: 'How may I cause the downfall of the king?'
An illustration of a person with a focused expression holding a crystal ball. Text reads: 'How may I cause the downfall of the king?'

Ty Murray-Patel

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.

You will refine your design, drawing and digital visualisation skills to create believable worlds and bring immersive stories from your imagination to life. Using 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.

Follow Us..

Follow BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art and MA Comic Art and Graphic Novel on...

What You'll Study

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.

Recent Student Successes

  • First prize, The Sustainability Award 2025, 2024, 2022

  • Game Republic’s industry-ready bootcamp 2024

  • Thought Bubble Festival micro-bursary 2023

  • First prize, 3DTotal Character Design Competition 2021

  • Bronze prize, International Comic School Contest 2020

Your Future

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.

Creative thinking is at the core of all our courses and the ability to develop creative solutions in a variety of professional contexts is in demand across a range of careers. Our courses embed research, communication, writing and presentation skills. Along with an ability to collaborate with others and a high level of cultural awareness, our graduates are also able to create possibilities for career progression in the wider creative economy as part of other industries.

Academic Staff

A photograph of Claire Smith against a plain background.

1

/9

Claire Smith

Staff
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.

2

/9

Jack Baker

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

3

/9

Charlotte Dobson

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

4

/9

James Lawrence

Staff
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.

5

/9

Dilraj Mann

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

6

/9

Will Morris

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

7

/9

Emily Ormerod

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

8

/9

Mark Penman

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

9

/9

Robert Silkstone

Staff
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.

Order a Prospectus

If you like
BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art
why not try...

Join our mailing list