Blue Nonversation
About the course
Illustration is a diverse course that encourages students to communicate ideas and narratives through a broad range of traditional, digital and time-based media. Students are expected to work with ingenuity and professionalism on commercial briefs, whilst also developing distinctive work pursuing personal interests. As well as creating imagery for magazines, newspapers or advertising, we develop skills in narrative art forms such as animation, picture books, comics, short films and interactive digital environments.
The course also provides a welcoming environment to students working in craft-based areas, such as printmaking, ceramics, street art and textiles. As such, Illustration a varied and exciting subject area that provides a memorable student experience.
Our teaching philosophy is underpinned by our belief in drawing as an essential tool for experimentation, analysis and idea development. This is reflected in skills workshops and the requirement for students to work every day in personal sketchbooks in addition to their other projects. Students also develop a wide range of transferable skills to prepare them for employment, such as presenting to peers and clients, writing project reports and evaluations, critiquing work in groups, and organising their own exhibitions and events.
Illustration graduates progress to careers in editorial, publishing, advertising, children’s books, art direction, graphic design, film and animation, fine art, digital media, teaching and web design; as well as those who move on to further study at post-graduate level.
Britanka Degree Show 2022
The course also provides a welcoming environment to students working in craft-based areas, such as printmaking, ceramics, street art and textiles. As such, Illustration a varied and exciting subject area that provides a memorable student experience.
Our teaching philosophy is underpinned by our belief in drawing as an essential tool for experimentation, analysis and idea development. This is reflected in skills workshops and the requirement for students to work every day in personal sketchbooks in addition to their other projects. Students also develop a wide range of transferable skills to prepare them for employment, such as presenting to peers and clients, writing project reports and evaluations, critiquing work in groups, and organising their own exhibitions and events.
Illustration graduates progress to careers in editorial, publishing, advertising, children’s books, art direction, graphic design, film and animation, fine art, digital media, teaching and web design; as well as those who move on to further study at post-graduate level.
Britanka Degree Show 2022
What makes the programme unique
Programme Structure
Year 1: Modules
Semester A introduces students to the fundamentals of the course - research, project devlopment, daily drawing, teamwork and critique. Thematically, we focus primarily on the act of observation, of learning to see the world afresh and developing myriad interpretations through a wide range of media. Students are also introduced and encouoraged to use the wide variety of workshops that the school offers. Students also receive instruction on graphic design and layouts to enable them to create clear and stylish prjoect logs. We also begin our critical studies module, which continues though into Semester B, anlysing visual storytelling through lectures, seminars, critical reading and written essays.
In Semester B, we examine the art of visual storytelling in studio practice, through a range of projects encompassing comics, creative writing, video, performance and animation. This investigation into narrative is furtehr supported by the critical anlysis module. Additionally, students continue daily sketchbook practice and take on short projects working in small teams and transferring their sketchbook work to larger scale.
Core modules:
- Visual Communication
- Visual Thinking: Histories, Theories and Context
- Illustration Essentials Part 1
In Semester B, we examine the art of visual storytelling in studio practice, through a range of projects encompassing comics, creative writing, video, performance and animation. This investigation into narrative is furtehr supported by the critical anlysis module. Additionally, students continue daily sketchbook practice and take on short projects working in small teams and transferring their sketchbook work to larger scale.
Core modules:
- Visual Communication
- Visual Thinking: Histories, Theories and Context
- Illustration Essentials Part 1
Year 2: Modules
Year 2 begins with more open projects that enable students to reflect on the their interests and skills and to find their own distinct path as illustrators, animators or artists. Projects explore working in response to music, and a deeper look into making books and zines.
Semester B challenges students to develop their work through an increased focus on the demands of professional practice. Studio projects include international and local competitions, and students are given the opportunity to work on exciting and challenging live briefs with clients. Recent commercial partners include Mayakovsky Theatre, Bowers & Wilkins, Cinzano, Benetton, Interview magazine, Lee Gamble, 2x2, Fumetto comics festival and Tretyakov Gallery. Students also undergo a series of lectures and workshops, exploring all aspects of professional practice, including commissioning, responding to editorial briefs, contracts, copyright, self-promotion and communicating with clients.
Core modules:
- Illustration Studio Practice
- Illustration Essentials Part 2
- Illustration Professional Development
- Commissions
- Contextualising Contemporary Practice
Semester B challenges students to develop their work through an increased focus on the demands of professional practice. Studio projects include international and local competitions, and students are given the opportunity to work on exciting and challenging live briefs with clients. Recent commercial partners include Mayakovsky Theatre, Bowers & Wilkins, Cinzano, Benetton, Interview magazine, Lee Gamble, 2x2, Fumetto comics festival and Tretyakov Gallery. Students also undergo a series of lectures and workshops, exploring all aspects of professional practice, including commissioning, responding to editorial briefs, contracts, copyright, self-promotion and communicating with clients.
Core modules:
- Illustration Studio Practice
- Illustration Essentials Part 2
- Illustration Professional Development
- Commissions
- Contextualising Contemporary Practice
Year 3: Modules
During Semester A, students focus on their degree essay, a piece of critical writing that addresses key issues in contemporary illustration, and supports their studio practice. Studio work continues to focus on live client briefs and international illustration competitions, plus a series of editorial workshops aimed at developing quick ideas and illustration drafts.
The final semester of the course is focused on a Final Major Project (FMP), defined by the student, which consists of a focused, substantial project on a chosen subject. The FMP is both a statement of intent about where the student wishes to progress as an illustrator, and is also a culmination of the learning experienced on the course. This Final Major Project is presented to the public in the students’ graduation exhibition. In this final semester, students also compile and present a portfolio of their work, in readiness for life as a professional illustrator.
Core modules:
- Final Major Project: Illustration
- Illustration Advanced Practice Part 1
- Illustration Advanced Practice Part 2
- Degree Essay
The final semester of the course is focused on a Final Major Project (FMP), defined by the student, which consists of a focused, substantial project on a chosen subject. The FMP is both a statement of intent about where the student wishes to progress as an illustrator, and is also a culmination of the learning experienced on the course. This Final Major Project is presented to the public in the students’ graduation exhibition. In this final semester, students also compile and present a portfolio of their work, in readiness for life as a professional illustrator.
Core modules:
- Final Major Project: Illustration
- Illustration Advanced Practice Part 1
- Illustration Advanced Practice Part 2
- Degree Essay
Tutors
Teachers
Student works
Through time and memories
Little X in The Land Of Death
Cold hands
The world unseen
Misc
Selected works
Selected works
How to apply
01
Required level of English
IELTS band 6.0 (or equivalent certificate). Along with the IELTS results, the following certificates are also accepted:
- CAE (Certificate in Advanced English);
- FCE (First Certificate in English).
If a prospective student does not have an IELTS certificate of the required level but successfully passed BHSAD English test as part of BHSAD entrance exams, he/she needs to obtain an IELTS certificate before the start of the first semester on Year 1.
- CAE (Certificate in Advanced English);
- FCE (First Certificate in English).
If a prospective student does not have an IELTS certificate of the required level but successfully passed BHSAD English test as part of BHSAD entrance exams, he/she needs to obtain an IELTS certificate before the start of the first semester on Year 1.
02
Required portfolio
The range of work in your portfolio should cover a broad spectrum of media, materials and approaches. Projects may be submitted in different disciplines including but not limited to graphics, drawing, painting, textile, photography, decorative art, design, web-design, animation.
First of all, the admission committee would like to see how you can generate and develop your ideas; that is why, besides finished projects, the portfolio should also include notebooks with sketches, sketchbooks, written works (articles, essays, if any). Please try to present examples of the best and most recent projects which reflect your creative abilities.
Your portfolio needs to be printed (А3 format or larger). Animation and CG works should be presented on CDs or memory sticks. It advisable to show photographs of large works which otherwise would be difficult to transport.
03
Interview procedure
Prospective students will be asked questions regarding their education and professional background in order to make a final decision about admission on to the course. Please be ready to tell the interview panel about yourself, your design experience and projects in your portfolio.
You may be asked about the history of creation of a particular work and the context of its creation. The panel may ask you about well-known designers to learn about the influence of creative activities of other designers and artists on you, the reason why you follow them and the main incentive for your development in terms of your occupation.
You may be asked about the history of creation of a particular work and the context of its creation. The panel may ask you about well-known designers to learn about the influence of creative activities of other designers and artists on you, the reason why you follow them and the main incentive for your development in terms of your occupation.
Success stories
Dmitry Litvin
BA (Hons) Illustration programme graduate
Ksenia Kopalova
Graduate of BA (Hons) Illustration
Nastya Varlamova
Graduate of BA (Hons) Illustration
FAQ
What is the language of delivery?
The education at BHSAD is provided by an international team of lecturers but the working language is always English for our British programmes.