Artists who work as illustrators develop a strong, personal style in their images and use it to support the communication needs of a wide variety of clients. One of the best ways to become an illustrator, and learn the requirements of the field, is to study with working professionals.
At Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, our faculty members guide illustration majors through a curriculum emphasizing strong concepts, knowledge of industry standards and a solid foundation of drawing skills, using industry techniques ranging from manual to electronic and photographic. This balance of conceptual and technical courses help students find their own styles and develop them to the highest possible professional level. Courses in the business of illustration and portfolio preparation also ready students for their future careers.
Illustrators need to meet this industry's high professional standards as soon as they graduate. At Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, illustration majors frequently compete to produce professional assignments for clients brought to class by faculty. Students are required to enter national competitions and given the opportunity to take on professional assignments in their senior year.
Illustration students complete an internship before entering their senior year. This opportunity to produce work for actual clients beside a seasoned professional is the most valuable type of real-world experience an illustration student can have.
Illustration Curriculum
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
CA 202 Visual Thinking 3.0 CR
CA 205 Typography 1.5 CR
CA 207 Material & Techniques 1.5 CR
CA 217 Digital I 1.5 CR
CA 222 Intro to Web 1.5 CR
IL 205 Figure Anatomy I 1.5 CR
Liberal Arts 6.0 CR
Spring Semester
CA 201 History of Communication Arts 3.0 CR
CA 218 Digital II 1.5 CR
IL 206 Figure Anatomy II 1.5 CR
CA 204 Intro to Time-Based Media 1.5 CR
IL 204 Advanced Materials & Techniques 3.0 CR
Liberal Arts 6.0 CR
Junior Year
Fall Semester
IL 323 Advanced Figure I 3.0 CR
IL 325 Illustration Studio I 3.0 CR
IL 327 Digital Painting 1.5 CR
IL 342 Animation for Illustration 3.0 CR
Liberal Arts 6.0 CR
Spring Semester
IL 326 Illustration Studio II 3.0 CR
IL 324 Advanced Figure II 3.0 CR
IL 328 Digital Image Making 1.5 CR
IL 343 Concept Art 3.0 CR
Liberal Arts 3.0 CR
Summer Internship (required, non-credit)
Senior Year
Fall Semester
IL 407 Senior Illustration Studio I 3.0 CR
IL 409 Professional Practices & Portfolio Prep I 1.5 CR
Illustration Core Elective 3.0 CR
General Elective 1.5 CR
Liberal Arts 6.0 CR
Spring Semester
IL 408 Senior Illustration Studio II 3.0 CR
IL 410 Professional Practices & Portfolio Prep II 1.5 CR
Illustration Core Elective 3.0 CR
General Elective 1.5 CR
Liberal Arts 3.0 CR
For more information on the illustration curriculum or course descriptions, please download our current catalog.
Statement of Goals & Outcomes: Illustration Department
Students who successfully complete the program will:
• Formulate adn apply concepts in their work via formal expression, conceptual development and contextual dialogue.
• Demonstrate a range of traditional, technical, and digital skills necessary for employment in illustration and related fields such as gaming and animation.
• Formulate and apply critical analysis to their work and the work of others while benefiting from collaboration among disciplines.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the illustration industry and relate fields such as gaming and animation, and the relevancy of their work in the context of that industry, the industry's history, and the broader culture and community.
• Engage in the business and practical realities of the illustration industry and related fields such as gaming and animation, understand and employ appropriate business trends and standards, and develop a portfolio of work relevant to acquiring work in their chosen industry.