| BA(Hons) General Illustration (incorporating HND award) |
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| Written by Administrator |
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Why choose Illustration and why at SMU The General Illustration course has a wealth of creative knowledge, experienced staff and practitioners who deliver a programme that will prepare you for a career in the illustration and design industry. The course offers a broad and friendly programme that will allow you to explore a wide range of techniques, materials and styles in order to determine personal strengths and career directions. The programme is designed to encourage the use of a diverse range of media, utilising both traditional and experimental materials and processes. You will also be encouraged to develop graphic design and computer skills to better prepare them for life after graduation. A full programme of visiting professionals, and involvement in ‘live' projects and national and international competitions ensures that strong links with industry and the commercial world are maintained. • Built upon substantial experience of academics and practitioners This year we are one of six international College Partners of Varoom, the award winning journal of Illustration, and a corporate member of the Association of Illustrators, which will have many benefits ensuring that we keep at the cutting edge of illustration research and practice. More about the course If you are an imaginative individual who thinks visually and likes to generate ideas, the General Illustration course will allow you to develop and communicate ideas through the art of word and image. There has never been such an exciting time for illustration. Not only has this creative discipline experienced an explosion in the world of advertising, literature, editorial and greetings card publishing, it continues to feed and enrich many other areas from theatre design and window display to animation, illustrative authorship and exhibition-based commercial work. Illustration is creating, manipulating and giving form to imagery and words in order to inform, question, entertain, educate, persuade and delight. Student numbers are comparatively small - we aim to recruit between 35-40 students per year - large enough groups to generate energy and a productive group dynamic, but small enough not to preclude individual tuition and personal attention. The atmosphere is friendly and informal. We have an academic support system whereby you are allocated a personal tutor with whom you may consult on a regular basis, discuss your progress and direction, or any problems you might be experiencing. As well as academic staff dedicated to the General Illustration programme, there are specialist theory, elective and visual studies staff, part-time staff, a technician/demonstrator and an extensive list of visiting lecturers and professionals. The department has good contacts with business, industry and other establishments concerned professionally with illustration. Arrangements are made whenever possible for you to work on commercial projects and we also organise group education visits to exhibitions, museums, printers, magazines and newspapers as well as a European study visit each year. • Purpose built studios and facilities Course structure & content The Faculty has excellent industrial links and there is a regular programme of visiting speakers and professionals. Live projects are an integral part of the course and these help you to engage with professional bodies before you graduate. All work is project based. Students are expected to demonstrate their understanding in the form of practical project work. All assessment is based on 100% coursework. As well as formal lectures there is also a programme of individual tutorials throughout the three years. Year 1 During the first year you will experience a number of studio workshops that demonstrate the use of traditional materials and techniques which are then applied to projects focusing on visual communication and design. This work will be backed up with an introduction to the Macintosh computer and relevant software applications, and the department is equipped with the latest hardware and software which is continually updated to keep you up to speed with the outside commercial illustration/design world. It should be noted that fluency in the use of computers is not a pre-requisite for entry to the programme. We assume no prior experience and you are eased gently into the new technology through workshops and design assignments. In the first year, the practical work is supplemented by a choice of theory modules which deal with the history, theory and social and cultural context of art and illustration. Students take two visual studies modules which are predominantly life-drawing based, and a choice of workshops which may include ceramics, printmaking, photography, computer-based illustration and design, video and painting and drawing. Year 2 Year 3 Facilities & Resources The General Illustration studios are equipped with personal workstations and an individual locker for each student. The Illustration computer suite comprises the latest Apple computers, scanners and professional software along with drawing tablets. All the computers are net-worked to colour-managed printers, producing colour-accurate proofs. Digital cameras are available to students along with regular access to the fine art printmaking, photography and other facilities. Beyond this specialist equipment, you will also have access to an extensive range of facilities including an excellent library, open-access computer suits and optional workshops in other areas within the art school. Student experiences & Employment opportunities Illustration is an expanding industry that offers a broad spectrum of new and exciting opportunities - particularly in relation to the new digital media. Our graduates find employment with design studios, publishing houses, advertising agencies, magazines and newspapers, or choose to work as self-employed illustrators/designers in private practice. The programme also provides a good foundation for those who want to pursue a career in teaching, particularly teaching art and design in schools and, after professional experience, teaching illustration and design in further and higher education. We also offer opportunities for post-graduate study and research within the Faculty of Art & Design: we currently offer an MA in Visual Communication, a specialist PGCE in Art & Design as well as MPhil and PhD research opportunities "This course has helped me more then I can say. When I came to university I didn't have much confidence in my practice but with the encouragement of the tutors they helped me see my work in new ways. They also encouraged me to experiment with as many different things as possible and push the boundaries in illustration. On this course I have a new love for animation that I never expected". "I really enjoyed my time on the course. It gave me insight into different styles of illustration and helped me develop my own way of working". "The structure of the course is quite diverse and I like the freedom it gives to students to think creatively and be versatile". "I always wanted to paint for a living but didn't know which avenue to choose. The General Illustration course gave me the opportunity to experience many different areas of illustration and allowed me to experiment with different media and techniques and develop my own individual style. I am now working as a freelance illustrator". UCAS Codes, Entry requirements, How to apply, Open days & Fees UCAS Code: W220 Study Options: 3years Full Time/6 years Part-Time We are looking for applicants to the programme who are committed to illustration; who can talk enthusiastically about illustrators whose work they admire, about books they have read, films they have seen and magazines to which they subscribe. We are looking for applicants with an open mind and an insatiable curiosity about the world we live in, particularly in relation to all things visual; applicants who have travelled, shown initiative and have taken responsibility. We always require the presentation of a portfolio which demonstrates commitment, a willingness to explore and experiment and abroad range of good work which contains evidence of observational drawing skills. We are looking for applicants with a good educational background in a wide range of subjects, to include English GCSE at C grade or above. Our favoured entry route is via a foundation course or an Edexcel Diploma, but we consider well qualified school leavers with a mature outlook and others with alternative qualifications and experience. We welcome applications from overseas and mature students. Information on Entry Requirements, How to Apply and Open Days can be found on our main Faculty Page Information on Fees can be found here Contact
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