Year 1
Unit 1 - Introduction to Illustration
This unit is an introduction to your course, the college and the university.
Unit 2 - Exploratory practice ‘in discipline’
During this unit you will develop an understanding of the key methods and knowledge that define the subject of illustration.
- A series of illustration project briefs
- To look at composition, colour, character development, tone and pace
Online and, where appropriate, studio based:
- Drawing as observation, analysis, description and ethnography
- Object and conceptual making and development
- Experimental practical exercises
- Seminars, lectures, crits and tutorials
- Technical and conceptual workshops
- Written work
- To keep an online personal archive
- To design a document using material from your online personal archive
Unit 3 - Core Practice ‘in discipline’
Through continued experimentation and production, you will continue to develop an understanding of the foundational methods, knowledge and practice of illustration.
- Lectures, seminars and discussions will explore the relationship between historical and contemporary critical debates within illustration
- Practical illustration project briefs
- Production of a personally defined practice-led project proposal that will form the basis for an ongoing personal project
- Online personal archive
- Workshops
Unit 4 - Expanded practice ‘in discipline’
This unit places emphasis on experimentation and creative risk taking in your practice. It will focus on your continued development and understanding of the key principles of the subject. It will also examine illustrations material and conceptual possibilities.
- To look at illustration in relation to text analysis and the articulation of narrative, tone and pace in sequential image making
- To explore notions of authorship and the reproduced image
- Written work
- Online personal archive
- To design a document using material from your online personal archive
- Project presentation
- Ongoing development of your practice-led project
- Lectures, seminars, crits and tutorials
- Inductions to the workshops
Year 2
Unit 5 - Exploratory practice ‘as discipline’
Throughout this unit you will continue to consolidate the practical methods and principles of illustration explored through the previous stage of the course. It will focus on continuing to develop, investigate and refine the core skills in your practice.
- To engage with online and, where appropriate studio-based processes and conventions of distribution and reproduction.
- To work with a range of subject matter and content
- To produce written work articulating your position as an illustrator
Online and, where appropriate, studio-based:
- Workshops, lectures, seminars, tutorials and group discussions
- Practical work for set projects
- Online personal archive
- Practice-led project presentation
Unit 6 - Collaborative and collective practices
This unit aims to introduce you to different ways in which collaborative working can focus and enhance your own creative strengths. This unit has 3 core purposes:
- To engage with fellow students with different practices and interests in a collaborative project
- To engage with external audiences, participants or institutions to consider new contexts for your work
- To develop your creative attributes to enable you to take on future challenges in a variety of contexts
Unit 7 - Core practice ‘as discipline’
This unit encourages you to continue to develop your skills, position and identity as an illustrator. The unit will help you identify an audience and consider how to make your work visible in a real-world context.
- Methods of practical evaluation, participation, social, cultural and political engagement will be developed throughout the unit
- To consider the impact and ethics of your work through your online personal archive
- Practice-led project presentation
- Lectures and visiting practitioner talks
- Workshops, seminars, crits, tutorials
- Practical work for set projects
Unit 8 - Expanded practice and points of departure culture ‘as discipline’
Through a series of practical illustration projects, you will apply methods of evaluation, participation, social, cultural and political engagement. You will take part in a series of workshops, seminars, lectures and discussions that will help you to identify a broad context for your practice. This unit will help you work out your individual programme of study for your third year.
- Written work articulating and defining your position as an illustrator
- Practical work for set projects
- Online personal archive
- Workshops, seminars, crits, presentations and tutorials
- Lectures and visiting practitioner talks
Year 3
Unit 9 - Exploratory core practice ‘of discipline’
This unit is a coming together of your practical, professional and critical position as an illustrator. It will be highly self-directed. It will look at professional development and potential fields you might work within after graduation.
- Presentation describing the progress of your individual programme of study
- Written work
- Practical work for set projects
- Online personal archive
Online and, where appropriate, studio-based:
- Workshops, seminars, group discussions, crits and tutorials
- Lectures and visiting practitioner talks
Unit 10 - Expanded core practice ‘of discipline’
In this unit you will work on a self-directed final project that integrates your conceptual and practical activity.
- To produce a resolved body of work and portfolio
- Online personal archive
- A designed and printed document using material from your online personal archive
- Online and, where appropriate, studio based:
- Workshops, seminars, group discussions, crits and tutorials
- Lectures and visiting practitioner talks
- To present work in the college degree show
Optional Diploma between year 2 and 3
Between year 2 and 3 you can opt to undertake the Diploma in Professional Studies or the UAL Diploma in Creative Computing. Whilst these Diplomas are an optional aspect of the course, they are designed as an integrated and assessed part of your journey through the course.
