Our BFA / Illustration program prepares students in the most current expressions of the illustrative arts profession. With a developed background in fine arts, graphic design, and advertising, illustrators may direct their careers in many different directions, including book and magazine publishing, advertising, company literature, packaging, television, as well as commercial and feature film industries. Illustrators must know design, communication principles, and problem-solving techniques, but most importantly, they must know how to draw. Illustration students learn to understand the mechanics of tools and media. They choose the media best suited to express their ideas, organize their compositions to greater enhance communication, conceptualize ideas, and above all, refine their visual sensitivities to levels expected of professional artists. Their background is further developed by a well-integrated core curriculum of fine art and design. Special illustration workshops and an ongoing lecture series expose students to current developments in their intended field, while the Professional Portfolio Development course assists graduating seniors with practical preparation for the transition from student to professional practitioner.

Students who successfully complete the Illustration program will:

• Understand how to communicate an idea or a theory to an audience in a clear dynamic manner based on informed decisions.
• Be able to clearly think through a problem from concept to a successful solution with the ability to clearly communicate and visually demonstrate the process as a presentation.
• Effectively apply materials, techniques, technology, vocabulary/terminology to reach the solution.
• Be proficient in creating images, both digitally and traditional.
• Understand the history, context, and practice of the discipline evidenced by the ability to contextualize thoughts and ideas in reference to socio-historical context, art, design history, and theory as it applies to concept, practice, and product.
• Apply the above referenced skills and abilities in conjunction with conceptual thinking evidenced through the creation of visual/verbal/sensorial/material/spatial forms using independent and/or collaborative ideas and solutions.
• Demonstrate skills and knowledge of digital/traditional techniques and vocabulary to work in the communications industry.
• Be able to demonstrate scholarship of illustration theories and practices from a historical perspective with a specialized knowledge of visual communications and the history of art.
• Create solutions with a variety of media based on an idea, which will effectively demonstrate conceptual and critical thinking through visual form with an understanding of the context by which images will ultimately be viewed.
• Articulate, verbally and in writing, the process by which a solution was achieved while working as an individual or in a collaborative environment.

A grade of “C” or better is required in all major coursework, and a CGPA of 3.0 or higher is required in the major for BFA candidates.

For students who have already earned a Bachelors degree in another field, the Second Bachelor of Arts in Illustration is available.

Program Requirements  

Learn about the Department