BA (Hons) Illustration

Duration

3 years

Institution code

L28

UCAS Code

W220

A hand drawing of a white figure sat down surrounded by green leaves and red tulips. The drawing has a blue, red and green border with flower and leaf patterns.
A hand drawing of a white figure sat down surrounded by green leaves and red tulips. The drawing has a blue, red and green border with flower and leaf patterns.

Amelie Rosette

A pencil sketch of a bicycle with bags strapped to the front and back. The name of the bicycle “habimbo” is written on the bicycle’s down tube.
A pencil sketch of a bicycle with bags strapped to the front and back. The name of the bicycle “habimbo” is written on the bicycle’s down tube.

Bailey Martin

Two painted black illustrations side by side, one of a dog with long ears and the second of a person wearing a hat and a long-sleeved dress. The paintings are on textured paper in a smudged black paint.
Two painted black illustrations side by side, one of a dog with long ears and the second of a person wearing a hat and a long-sleeved dress. The paintings are on textured paper in a smudged black paint.

Caitlyn Hegarty

A series of charcoal sketches of household items including a kettle, jug, spoon, jam, bowl, saw, bell and a teacup.
A series of charcoal sketches of household items including a kettle, jug, spoon, jam, bowl, saw, bell and a teacup.

Eve Aktins

A photograph of a cushion and framed pattern on a pebbled beach with the sea and a crane in the background. The cushion and frame have the same pattern which is blue, red, yellow and green and has astronauts, cranes, globes and computers among other icons.
A photograph of a cushion and framed pattern on a pebbled beach with the sea and a crane in the background. The cushion and frame have the same pattern which is blue, red, yellow and green and has astronauts, cranes, globes and computers among other icons.

Evie White

A digital illustration of a noodle soup bowl surrounded by spices and seasoning such as garlic, salt and pepper. There is also a saucepan, cutlery and a boiling pan underneath.
A digital illustration of a noodle soup bowl surrounded by spices and seasoning such as garlic, salt and pepper. There is also a saucepan, cutlery and a boiling pan underneath.

Evie White

A colourful illustration of a child with fairy wings sat on a pheasant with a mouse who is holding a harness. They are surrounded by bluebells, a ladybird, beetle and caterpillar.
A colourful illustration of a child with fairy wings sat on a pheasant with a mouse who is holding a harness. They are surrounded by bluebells, a ladybird, beetle and caterpillar.

Grace Maggie Williams

A colourful illustration of different images, set out in a comic book style. The largest image is of a person immersed in the sea surrounded by goldfish and seaweed. The image in the left corner shows an arm and leg reaching out and the image in the right corner shows a face with a pained expression immersed in the water.
A colourful illustration of different images, set out in a comic book style. The largest image is of a person immersed in the sea surrounded by goldfish and seaweed. The image in the left corner shows an arm and leg reaching out and the image in the right corner shows a face with a pained expression immersed in the water.

Grace Maggie Williams

A colourful illustration of different images, set out in a comic book style. The largest image is of a person immersed in the sea surrounded by goldfish and seaweed. The image in the left corner shows an arm and leg reaching out and the image in the right corner shows a face with a pained expression immersed in the water.
A colourful illustration of different images, set out in a comic book style. The largest image is of a person immersed in the sea surrounded by goldfish and seaweed. The image in the left corner shows an arm and leg reaching out and the image in the right corner shows a face with a pained expression immersed in the water.

Guy Parsons

A collage of a black bird with a pink ribbon through their left wing, their beak points upwards. The bird is surrounded by gold zigzag shapes.
A collage of a black bird with a pink ribbon through their left wing, their beak points upwards. The bird is surrounded by gold zigzag shapes.

Guy Parsons

A collage of photographs and drawn images of theatres and other Leeds landmarks. The drawn images consist of sketches, orange is the main thematic colour.
A collage of photographs and drawn images of theatres and other Leeds landmarks. The drawn images consist of sketches, orange is the main thematic colour.

Harry Clowes

A black and white pen illustration of hairy legs dressed in boxers shorts with eyes.  There are five with each pair of legs posed in different positions.
A black and white pen illustration of hairy legs dressed in boxers shorts with eyes.  There are five with each pair of legs posed in different positions.

Kira Mclennon

A pencil sketch of different animals including mice, a lion, two badgers and a lion. Some of them are riding on unicycles and bicycles.
A pencil sketch of different animals including mice, a lion, two badgers and a lion. Some of them are riding on unicycles and bicycles.

Lauren Sharples

A collage of a human face on the body of a fly created by a magazine leaf photo design. There bottom of the collage features a black square with white triangular patterns.
A collage of a human face on the body of a fly created by a magazine leaf photo design. There bottom of the collage features a black square with white triangular patterns.

Lauren Sharples

An image of the shadow of a sinister face against a white wall in an otherwise dark room with brick flooring.
An image of the shadow of a sinister face against a white wall in an otherwise dark room with brick flooring.

Matt Flint

The Course

Enrol on a creative journey that explores communication, image-making, and conceptual thinking. You will have opportunities to refine your talent and carve out your niche as an exceptional illustrator while gaining the professional skills 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 and visually engaging work. You will do this within the professional context of contemporary illustration and the wider creative industries. This is a growing industry with demand in, for example, music and sports design, fashion, and comic and children’s book illustration.

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 such as Photoshop and Illustrator.

You will have opportunities 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 animation. We support you to generate networking and exhibition opportunities, collaborating on multi-disciplinary projects with other students in our large workshops and breakout spaces.

You will benefit from excellent links with professional illustrators and creatives, agencies, and experts across the arts industries. Live projects, competition briefs, and industrial experience will enhance your awareness of the professional opportunities available to you.

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 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.

BA (Hons) Illustration

Virtual Tour

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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

Recent student successes include:

  • World Illustration Awards – Shortlist 2021

  • Penguin Student Design Award – 2nd Place winner

  • Carmelite Prize – special mention 2020

  • D&AD New Blood One To Watch Award 2018 and 2019

  • YCN Award Winners - 2016 and 2018

  • Commendation for book illustrations submitted for Pan Macmillan’s ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ 150th birthday

  • Illustrated book ‘Charley’s Kidney Transplant’ published by Leeds NHS Trust

  • ‘Warhorse’ book illustration - House of Illustration (Shortlisted & Exhibited)

  • Digital Art Story Telling - Winner of the International Creative Contest

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.

Academic Staff

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Amy de Nobriga

BA (Hons) Illustration - Course Leader

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Dr Peter Blagg

BA (Hons) Illustration - Lecturer

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Pat Bradbury

BA (Hons) Illustration - Senior Lecturer

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Matthew Hodson

BA (Hons) Illustration - Senior Lecturer

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Katie Jones-Barlow

BA (Hons) Illustration - Senior Lecturer

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Jamie Mills

BA (Hons) Illustration - Senior Lecturer

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Talya Rochester

BA (Hons) Illustration - Senior Lecturer

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Jonny Wilkinson

BA (Hons) Illustration - Lecturer

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