Applied Arts Illustration Diploma Program

This course teaches the basics of elements of illustration practice, focusing on sketchbook ideation, research, iteration, and conceptual groundwork in visual communication. Students will learn to use a sketchbook as the foundation of their illustration practice, as a container and living document for knowledge-keeping, research, sketching, technical exploration, and written reflection.

This course introduces the fundamental elements of drawing for illustration, covering subjects like perspective, composition, dimension, and line, with an overarching emphasis on rigor and material expression.

This course explores the use and purpose of illustration over the course of civilization. From ancient history to modern times, students will learn the ways in which illustration has been used to decorate, tell stories, advertise, and revolutionize the world.

Building from drawing fundamentals 101, students will focus on the human figure in this class, studying pose, expression, light and shadow, and dynamic movement using live models, observation prompts, and photo references.

This course introduces students to popular digital art-making tools, and the design principles that accompany them. Using applications like ‘Adobe Photoshop’ and ‘Procreate’, students will learn how to transfer, create, and format artworks for digital and print display.

Exploring historic and contemporary illustration painting media, students will learn how colour, light, contrast, viscosity, and value can impact any painting disciple.

From contracts to agents, marketing to book-keeping, this course teaches students the terminology, traditions, professional networks, and business functions of a career in illustration.

Students begin the topics section of the program with the field of editorial illustration, learning the many ways illustrators use artwork to interpret printed material and writing. This course examines freelance opportunities for magazines and newspapers, book covers and interiors, promotional and infographics, and more.

As a subgenre of editorial, this class explores the use of illustration in books for young readers. Focusing on allegory, storytelling, and education, students will learn about the fields of children’s books, board books, educational texts, and the overarching genre of children’s literature.

This course looks at the uses of environment and landscape in illustration. From plein-air painting to travel posters and botanical illustration to animation backgrounds, students learn the function of place and surroundings that fill the space in compositions.

Returning to digital media to explore the function of “concept art” in the entertainment industry, this course focuses on the research and development behind characters, creatures, props, hardware, and environments for video games, animation, role-playing games, and movies.

This course introduces the methods and materials that run parallel to an illustrator’s primary career. Exploring textiles, toys, art prints, pattern design, and ephemera, students will explore the lesser-known opportunities of the work they produce.

For this last topic course, students will take on the complex and challenging field of sequential art. Comics, graphic novels, card decks, and art series will be spotlighted, exploring how writing, narrative, composition, symbolism, and character creation combine to tell a story in visual form.

Building from Business of Illustration 200, this course looks further into the career of illustration and the peripheral work that is needed to thrive. Students will learn the tips and tricks of self-promotion on websites and social media, outreach through business cards and mailers, participation in competitions and residencies, and professional writing with artist statements and résumés.

For the final experience of the program, students will be turning their attention to the creation of a professional portfolio. Beginning with an outline of career goals, research topics, and a thesis proposal, students will embark on a series of self-directed projects to build a portfolio of works that reflect their greatest strengths in visual communication.

Continuing their proposed thesis projects from Thesis I 300, students will further develop criteria for advancement in their chosen professional fields and complete their outlined works by deadline. Each thesis will culminate in a professional portfolio presentation and written academic reflection to earn their diploma.