BA in Illustration and Visual Communication (Full Time) BA in Illustration and Visual Communication (Full Time) University of Westminster ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1534160506University of Westminster.jpg
Bachelor Degree , Illustration
Course Description
This course offers a flexible and interdisciplinary approach to the study and practice of contemporary illustration. Our premise is to provide learning in this subject within a wide choice of methods and technical approaches balancing the development of creative and professional skills and knowledge for application to client-led markets in the field of visual communication, with the individual ambitions and aptitudes of each student in finding their own creative voice.
The course provides dedicated studio space that forms the creative hub for learning, making and community. Individual work spaces are available with larger studios for figure drawing, and making work of an ambitious scale. Quieter areas for computing and digital work are also available within the studio areas. All studios are equipped with computing facilities running Adobe Creative Suite, Foundry with Wacom Cintiqs, scanners, printers and photocopying.
Teaching and learning includes individual tutorial sessions, group work, presentations, workshops, online training, lectures and frequent trips into central London to see exhibitions. We invite practitioners and our esteemed alumni in to give professional talks and with our membership of the Association of Illustrators, Design and Art Direction and support from the Creative Enterprise Centre at Harrow we provide a comprehensive learning platform for entering professional work in this field on graduation.
A large number of our graduates and alumni develop careers in illustration, graphic and decorative arts and art direction, often balancing their own practice with commissioned work or employments in the creative sector. Most creatives work on a freelance basis with some regular employment until they become established. The wide focus of the course prepares students with a range of transferable creative and professional skills to be able to work in other areas than illustration alone, this can be in publishing, branding, the Media, graphic design, advertising and creative merchandising as well as art-workers, visualisers and concept designers for industries related to music, entertainment, film, computer arts and fashion. Some graduates go into further study at postgraduate level or undertake teacher training or training to work in arts and health. We encourage all students at some point to undertake work experience and internships that also can lead to full-time employments later on.
Course Content
YEAR 1
The first semester of year one introduces students to key skills and knowledge in drawing and image-making through various processes including printmaking, film photography, painting, animation, 3D, and digital artistry. Projects provide a framework of topics and contexts through which to explore and test ideas, developing skills in both visual communication and pictorial image design. At the end of the year there is a final exhibition and opportunities for undertaking internships and placements.
The critical studies programme supports an exploration of ideas, concepts and movements that have informed contemporary illustration and image media today.
Subjects of study include:
- Drawing and visual literacies (practice)
- Image-making practices (project led practice and workshops in film photography, 3D illustration, visual storytelling,)
- Art and visual culture (critical studies programme with exhibition visits)
- Introduction to image media (critical studies examining image-media today)
- Figure drawing (course option practice)
- Printmaking (course option practice)
- Visual communication technologies (inductions in printmaking, animation digital media)
Credit Level 4
YEAR 2
Learning at this level demonstrates the breadth of practice available in which students are able to focus their specialist interests. The course fosters experimentation and the testing ideas in various contexts, including industry-led initiatives, student competitions and self-initiated project work. In semester 2 a pathway choice between Illustration Practice and Enterprise and Interdisciplinary Practice gives greater specialisation prior to the final year of study.
Critical studies at this point offers a deeper engagement with critical thinking and concepts from which planning and selection of a dissertation topic emerges to be developed in the final year of study.
You will be able to choose up to two Westminster elective modules or course optional modules.
Subjects of study include:
- Contextualised practice (project led practice)
- Critical enquiry (examination in depth of specific topics and theoretical concepts in visual culture)
- Dissertation abstract (preparatory development of materials and the selection of a dissertation topic)
- Drawing systems (course practice option examines drawing approaches and processes)
- Graphic explorations (course practice option examines graphic design)
- Illustration practice and enterprise (core pathway practice option in illustration)
- Interdisciplinary practice (core pathway practice option in experimental image media)
Credit Level 5
YEAR 3
Study and practice at this level is increasingly self-defined with large study units to accommodate substantial work into a Major Project and the writing of an extended essay (Dissertation) of 8,000 words.
Teaching for the major project and dissertation is provided through individual tutor supervision with further support through peer reviews and key professional practice talks from those working in illustration and our alumni. The culminating events are the IVC degree show in Harrow or Central London and participation in D&AD New Blood Festival normally at Truman Brewery.
In the first semester there are two course option modules, one with a professional focus in illustration, the other for individual visual inquiry and research-led practice.
Subjects of study include:
- Visual communication: dissertation (an 8,000-word extended essay on a self-selected topic)
- Research informed practice (course option for independent inquiry principally self-determined)
- Professional engagement and enterprise (focused on entering commercially engaged practice in illustration and visual communication – professional talks are shared across both course option modules)
- Major project production (the production of work that showcases each student’s final work)
Credit Level 6
Entry Requirements
- A Levels – CCC to BBB
- International Baccalaureate – 27 points. We also welcome applications from students taking the IB Career related Programme;
- BTEC Extended Diploma – MMM to DDM
- BTEC Diploma – DD to D*D*
- Access – 96 to 120 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher Level, GCSE Maths Pass
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combinations of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
You should have a portfolio of practical work to bring to interview or present online (if not in the UK).
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BA in Illustration and Visual Communication (Full Time)
University of Westminster
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BA in Illustration and Visual Communication (Full Time)
University of Westminster