BA (Hons) Illustration
Duration
3 years / 4 years with placement year*
Institution code
L28
UCAS Code
3 years W220 / 4 years W226
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Amelie Rosette
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Bailey Martin
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Caitlyn Hegarty
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Eve Aktins
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Evie White
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Evie White
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Grace Maggie Williams
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Grace Maggie Williams
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Guy Parsons
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Guy Parsons
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Harry Clowes
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Kira Mclennon
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Lauren Sharples
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Lauren Sharples
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Matt Flint
The Course
Join us on a creative journey that explores communication, image-making and conceptual thinking. You will develop your understanding of how images are made and how they function. You will apply your skills to carve out your niche as an innovative illustrator while gaining the professional skills, resilience and sustainability needed to meet the demands of the creative industries.
This course aims to help you develop into an independent, creative thinker with the ability to deliver critically, visually and socially engaging work. Central to the course is your development, understanding, and use of traditional and new media, theory, and production methods. There are fantastic opportunities for you to grow as a creative practitioner with access to new technologies and industry-standard software.
You will have the chance to apply your skills across a range of illustrative applications, including, but not limited to, editorial, publishing, packaging, product, print, music design, advertising, character, and moving image. You will learn to generate networking and exhibition opportunities by collaborating on multi-disciplinary projects with other students in our large workshops and breakout spaces.
Our excellent links with professional illustrators and creatives, agencies, and experts across the creative industries are at your disposal. Live projects, competition briefs, and industry experience will enhance your awareness of the professional opportunities available to you.
*The placement year is subject to approval.
The Structure
Explore a range of approaches to the communication of ideas through image-making, with an emphasis on experimentation and reflection. You’ll develop your practical, theoretical, and contextual understanding of the discipline through projects and seminars alongside workshops. There is an ongoing focus on discovery through active making, supported by a lively programme of studio briefs.
Course Facilities
BA (Hons) Illustration students are based in large, purpose-built studios. Students will 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 Illustration students this will include print resources which provide excellent facilities for bookmaking and paper-based printmaking using a range of processes; access to industry standard laser cutters; professional-standard, large-format digital printing and print finishing and a vinyl cutter enabling designs to be cut from many types of vinyl.
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.
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BA (Hons) Illustration
Virtual Tour
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.
Accolades
Observer/Faber graphic short story prize – Winner 2023, Runner Up 2024
Black and Breaking Through Visual Identity – Apple TV 2023
Nobrow Press – Picturebook commission 2023/24
Penguin Design Award – Adult Fiction shortlist 2024, Adult Non-Fiction winner and shortlist 2021, shortlist 2020, 2nd place winner 2019
World Illustration Awards – SAA New Talent Winner 2023, shortlist 2021
V&A Illustration Awards – shortlist 2022
Carmelite Prize – special mention 2020
Career Opportunities
Graduates can work as freelancers, as employed illustrators or as part of a creative collective/studio. Careers include illustration for commercial, alternative and children’s publishing, editorial, site-specific works, advertising, entertainment, packaging, product and retail. They may also work for illustration agencies as studio managers or creative directors. Graduates may also continue to postgraduate study, including onto our MA Illustration.
Course News
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Academic Staff
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Connecting you to creative industries
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Applying
*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.