BA (Hons) Illustration - Course overview
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​BA (Hons) Illustration
​​BA (Hons) Illustration image

Imagine - Draw - Create

Vision

Illustration is a dynamic and continually evolving subject. Illustrators have to be creative, imaginative, clear thinking and versatile. The ethos of this course is to encourage individual, creative explorations; whether it be within a traditional approach or right up more experimental avenues. We aim to give our students the skills and creative thinking abilities to fully forge their futures in today’s fast evolving art and design industries of communication, entertainment, fashion, manufacturing and information. With excellent staff contact – access to workshop and digital facilities we provide an atmosphere of adventure and enquiry within a traditional studio context. Small and intimate in numbers; yet broad and outward looking in attitude.
​BA (Hons) Illustration image Bird Bear Stephen Daoud BA Illustration
Illustration is arguably one of the broadest and most encompassing of art disciplines; it stretches from Graphic Design through to Fine Art practice whilst retaining it’s own distinct identity. The curriculum embraces objective and subjective drawing, design for screen, creative writing, print-making, autonomous practice, topography, bookworks, multimedia, graphic design, typography, photography, design research. 
  

We help you to discover your own direction and individual voice over three years via a series of challenging and stimulating projects and practical workshops.
studio BA Illustrationstudio BA Illustration

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​Distinctive features

  • Vibrant studio based culture
  • Intimate, yet outward looking atmosphere
  • Fantastic, easy access workshop facilities including printmaking, letterpress and ceramics
  • Drawing focus supported by regular life drawing sessions
  • Located within a contemporary award-winning building in the city centre
  • Enterprising intitiatives.

Student voice
Second year student Rae Wetherill talks candidly about her experiences during the first year of the BA (Hons) Illustration course. Read more about Rae's experiences
​Artwork by BA (Hons) Illustration student Nic Farrell

“What drew me to Plymouth in the beginning were the facilities - an illustration course with enough room for a desk each is rare enough, let alone the amazing printing/letterpress/ceramics facilities and knowledgeable staff. The benefits on the course are great (brand new studios - field trips to New York and Paris - series of visiting lecturers) and I know for a fact that I would not be able to enter the creative industry now without having these three years behind me.” Nic Farrell, BA (Hons) Illustration
 Jack Teagle BA Hons Illustration

“When I was studying at Plymouth I felt like I had everyone's support. All the tutors really helped to direct me to where I wanted to go with my work. The tutors really helped me to develop my painting, and were very interested in developing comics as serious narratives. They all knew where interests and inspiration was coming from and always showed me new artists and techniques to accompany and compliment what I wanted to do.” Jack Teagle, Freelance Illustrator

Mark Smith BA (Hons) Illustration

"The Illustration course at Plymouth could not have been better in the way it has prepared me for a life as a professional illustrator. I have received numerous commissions from around the world, including jobs for American Airlines' in-flight magazine, The Mail on Sunday and the Australian version of Woman's Weekly." Mark Smith, Freelance Illustrator Read more about Mark's experiences

​Award winners  Nic Farrell
 

Illustration students winning prestigious Best in Shows at D&AD’s New Blood Shows in London
  • Jack Teagle and Jess Douglas 2009
  • Nic Farrell 2011

    illustration award winners


 

​Illustration Course Blog  

Follow this link to visit the course blog, it operates as an extension of our students’ studio practice engaging them with the wider world of illustration and allowing them to document their own illustration activities and share knowledge.
 

​Arts Degree Show 2011

The annual Arts Degree Show was a great success. This huge event incorporated the work of every final stage art, design  and media student. It is the culmination of three challenging years and a great opportunity for students to show their work off to friends, family, fellow students, prospective employers and the general public. For more information about the degree show including images please visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/artsdegreeshow