51±¬ÁϹÙÍø emphasizes a collaborative process and working with students from all majors. For this Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, you will take courses in several different areas, including a core focus, adding up to 120 total credits required for graduation.
Core Required Courses - These are the core courses that every Illustration student takes.
Foundation Studies - These classes help you build a solid art background to become a well rounded student.
Studio Electives - Throughout your studies you can choose from several studio electives that will give you hands on time.
Humanities and Sciences Electives - These classes round out your experience at 51±¬ÁϹÙÍø, deepen your creative practice, and fulfill non-studio requirements for a degree.
Learning Outcomes
This course examines the effectiveness and power of illustration through everyday images found in book and magazine illustration, web, and surface design. From the sketch process to the development of finished images, students are exposed to a variety of working methods. Demonstrations of Photoshop, large-scale scanning, acrylic, gouache, pen and ink, watercolor, and collage enable students to experiment with new media. Assignments may include creating spot images for the web, decorative surface design, educational posters, classic storytelling, and personal and explorative work.
This course offers hands-on experience for students exploring a wide variety of media through real-world illustration projects. Students learn trade tips and expand their portfolios as they pursue acrylic painting, gouache, pen and ink, watercolor, and pastel projects. Instructional demonstrations are provided on a variety of painting and drawing techniques on papers and other surfaces.
The strength of many contemporary illustrations lies in a dynamic concept of metaphor. Through word lists, thumbnail sketches, and research, students expand their ideas to improve their illustration. Students examine art by both historical and contemporary practitioners and create individual images as well as series projects with editorial, advertising, and corporate audiences in mind. Color and media guidelines and techniques are covered via demonstrations. This course encourages further development of skills in both digital and traditional media as well as concepts, research, techniques, craft, and professional presentation.
Through projects, discussions, and lectures, students acquire a thorough understanding of all aspects of digital illustration. Demonstrations of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign are provided. In addition, students learn about the latest tools and file preparation standards for production, including file formats, color palettes, and image resolution. Assignments have an emphasis on technical achievement and presentation.
Building on their initial exposure to illustration in Concepts and Metaphors, Illustration Topics students engage in a thorough examination of illustration principles with a variety of audiences, clients, and formats. Projects may include creating surface designs for an eco-friendly high school binder, an animated GIF web banner for a service or retail shop, informational maps, and a large banner print.
Choose to pursue an internship or an additional studio elective
Professional Practice is directed toward the student’s transition into the professional world. Students create a variety of promotional materials concentrating on their book, including résumés, work samples, and project documentation. In addition to the preparation of materials, students practice interview techniques, survey employment markets and opportunities, and finalize an internship site. Visiting professionals, field trips, and individualized student research provide context for all promotional materials.
Advanced Illustration Seminar prepares students to become more independent and to develop a process of critical thinking and in-depth research in their practice. Through critical readings, individual and group discussions, and writings, students acquire a better understanding of illustration and the responsibilities of illustrators. Assignments include the creation of a comprehensive series of illustrations based on themes of contemporary culture and a self-directed project.
In consultation with a faculty member, students in this course produce a series of illustrations to strengthen and enhance their portfolio. This capstone project can take the form of a research project, an in-depth illustration problem, or the advancement of a particular strength or style. Students are required to develop an appropriate proposal, a timeline, and goals for their project. The resulting illustrations should address a specific audience and/or market.
The notebook is a critical tool for the illustrator to record, investigate, and play. In this course students explore the notebook as a visual journal used to gather material and also as a place to experiment and further explore ideas. Course projects include creating different formatted notebooks that include word lists, found materials, and observational sketching. Individual and group critiques, lectures, and technical demonstrations round out the course. The final project is a series of illustrations based on unexpected discoveries made in the notebook.
From mainstream to independent magazines, editorial art has made a huge impact on the covers and pages of modern print and web publications. Through lectures and demonstrations students acquire a thorough understanding of the editorial market and its potential for inventive and imaginative images. This course includes illustrating articles related to topics such as culture, health, finance, short story, and nonfiction. Project formats include GIF animated web images, full and half page illustrations, covers, and experimental zines.
In this course students examine the elements that make up a children’s book and how to communicate to a specific audience through their art. Emphasis is placed on concepting, storyboards, dummy books, and sequencing. Demonstrations of media and discussions of process are covered. A series of projects are assigned examining the various stages of illustrating a book, from the sketch phase to final illustrations. Professional knowledge of the publishing industry is researched and discussed.
This course explores a variety of venues for product design, including apparel graphics, sporting goods, stationery, and home products. Students create graphics that define and accompany final products from sketch to production. Beginning with research by developing concept boards, students develop their ideas and focus on placed graphics within a product line. Students learn industry-standard processes, including audience research, concepting, presentation, and production, as they create a substantial and diverse product design portfolio. Students are provided with the opportunity to explore their own interests and apply their own aesthetic style to concepts, final pieces, and their own brand of merchandise.
Designed exclusively for first-year students, this 2-credit course offers an abundance of resources that get you started on the right foot at 51±¬ÁϹÙÍø. It helps new students feel a sense of community with other first-year classmates; navigate the college and course offerings; learn time-management skills; and understand how as an artist, designer, or entrepreneur positively influences others. The First-Year Experience course gives you access to amazing faculty who understand how to make a successful life transition in college.
FDN 1000: First-year Experience: Communities of Practice
This 2-credit course at a glance:
Foundation: 2D is an introduction to creative thinking that develops students’ skills in research, observation, interpretation, and self-expression. An emphasis is placed on exploring new ways to read and see the world, as well as new ways to report on it. Students learn basic two-dimensional principles through the use of various media, tools, materials, and processes. As a result, students develop a visual and verbal language for analyzing, organizing, shaping, and communicating two-dimensional form and meaning.
This course is an introduction to understanding of visual creation for the development of knowledge, imagination, and perception. Students are introduced to basic three-dimensional concepts as well as materials and technical production processes. Classroom activities include shop demonstrations of tools and techniques, information, lectures, and discussions appropriate to promote the balanced fusion of practice and theory.
Foundation: Drawing 1 is an introductory drawing course designed to prepare students for study in all majors of the college. Students develop basic drawing skills, including the ability to perceive and express visual relationships, organize a two-dimensional composition, and depict and manipulate form, space, and light. Students work from direct observation of still life, interior space, and landscape.