Illustration
Visual Development Artist • Character/Storyboard/Concept Artist • Book Illustrator • Advertising • Comic Books • Art Director • Game Artist • Graphic Novels • Motion Illustrator
Illustration
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 illustration faculty guide their students 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 Student Artwork
Illustration Curriculum
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|
| Fall Semester - Sophomore Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| DGI 205 | Typography I | 1.5 |
| DGI 201 | Visual Communication | 3.0 |
| DGI 217 | Digital I | 1.5 |
| DGI 221 | Introduction to Interactive Design | 1.5 |
| DGI 203 | Introduction to Time-Based Media | 1.5 |
| Spring Semester - Sophomore Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| IL 213 | History of Illustration & Emerging Trends | 3.0 |
| DGI 218 | Digital II | 1.5 |
| IL 205 | Introduction to Figure Anatomy | 1.5 |
| IL 220 | Materials, Methods & Techniques | 3.0 |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|
| Fall Semester - Junior Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| IL 333 | Figure Anatomy | 1.5 |
| IL 325 | Illustration Studio I | 3.0 |
| IL 327 | Digital Painting | 1.5 |
| DI 313 | Visual Development I | 3.0 |
| Spring Semester - Junior Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| IL 326 | Illustration Studio II | 3.0 |
| IL 336 | 3D Head & Figure | 3.0 |
| DI 314 | Visual Development II | 3.0 |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|
| Fall Semester - Senior Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| IL 407 | Senior Illustration Studio I | 3.0 |
| IL 411 | Figure in Motion | 3.0 |
| DGI 405 | Social Media Marketing & Communications | 1.5 |
| Spring Semester - Senior Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| IL 408 | Senior Illustration Studio II | 3.0 |
| IL 412 | Figure Utilization II | 3.0 |
| IL 410 | Professional Practices (Illustration) | 1.5 |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|
| Fall Semester - Sophomore Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| DGI 205 | Typography I | 1.5 |
| DGI 201 | Visual Communication | 3.0 |
| DGI 217 | Digital I | 1.5 |
| DGI 221 | Introduction to Interactive Design | 1.5 |
| DGI 203 | Introduction to Time-Based Media | 1.5 |
| Spring Semester - Sophomore Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| IL 213 | History of Illustration & Emerging Trends | 3.0 |
| DGI 218 | Digital II | 1.5 |
| IL 205 | Introduction to Figure Anatomy | 1.5 |
| IL 220 | Materials, Methods & Techniques | 3.0 |
| Fall Semester - Junior Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| IL 333 | Figure Anatomy | 1.5 |
| IL 325 | Illustration Studio I | 3.0 |
| IL 327 | Digital Painting | 1.5 |
| DI 313 | Visual Development I | 3.0 |
| Spring Semester - Junior Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| IL 326 | Illustration Studio II | 3.0 |
| IL 336 | 3D Head & Figure | 3.0 |
| DI 314 | Visual Development II | 3.0 |
| Fall Semester - Senior Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| IL 407 | Senior Illustration Studio I | 3.0 |
| IL 411 | Figure in Motion | 3.0 |
| DGI 405 | Social Media Marketing & Communications | 1.5 |
| Spring Semester - Senior Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| IL 408 | Senior Illustration Studio II | 3.0 |
| IL 412 | Figure Utilization II | 3.0 |
| IL 410 | Professional Practices (Illustration) | 1.5 |
Students who successfully complete the program will:
- Demonstrate the ability to judge, adapt, and incorporate historical and/or contemporary influences and perspectives in their creative and intellectual processes.
- Demonstrate a range of traditional and digital skills in the creation of illustrations that are an effective union of concept, medium, and craft.
- Demonstrate deliberate and effective communication through an informed and influential visual and verbal language unique to the illustration industry and its related fields.
- Engage in the business and practical realities of the illustration industry and its related fields while developing an influential body of work that adheres to appropriate trends and standards.
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Faculty Spotlight
Maria Cummings-Miller
Teaching Philosophy: Much of what drives my teaching philosophy is derived from my experience in the field; knowing what works and what doesn’t. Being able to separate functional work from the non-functional is essential in today’s fast-paced business climate. Being able to parlay my real-world design experience into effective teaching in the classroom is something that I work continually on. I pride myself as an educator in being able to relay to the students current trends in the industry and how it relates to the educational material being presented.
Education:
BFA, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design
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Alumni Spotlight
Jonathan Yeager
• Owner of design & illustration studio, Wonderhead Collective
• Instructor, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design
• Produced work for Adidas, Subway, Nike, Wacom, and Intel
