Illustration

Why study Illustration at Dundee?

Although many of us think of illustration as a means of conveying messages in children's books, the BDes (Hons) Illustration Course will teach you that there are also many other forms of visual communication.

Illustration aims to address the demand for visual communicators by focusing the curriculum on creativity, authorship and interpretation. We offer a wide range of opportunities spanning book arts, applied design, photography, drawing, printmaking, moving and interactive media.

With an eye to commercial avenues this course adopts a broad definition of illustration and provides a dynamic and experimental environment for the development of visual ideas.

We help you to embrace traditional and experimental processes underpinned by high-end digital technologies and well resourced printmaking facilities. Illustrators benefit from a unique experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment that offers opportunities to collaborate with other courses.

Study illustration to:

• Develop dynamic visual ideas
• Learn to take ownership of our projects
• Enjoy a wide range of opportunities including narrative, book arts, photography, printmaking and interactive media

At the end of the course you will be able to:

• Subject research findings to argument and analysis
• Structure research outcomes
• Present an image and text based format
• Explain the relationship between theory and practice in your own work

We can offer you:

• Well resourced facilities
• Local and national links with industry
• Student focused teaching
• Opportunity to enter competitions and win awards

Student exchange

The academic perspective is enhanced by opportunities for you to study abroad through exchange schemes that operate with centres of excellence in many European and transatlantic countries.

In addition, the department normally organises an overseas study visit for all Level 3 students.

You are:

• Creative
• Imaginative

You like:

• Working by yourself as well as in groups
• A challenge

You want to:

• Develop your skills to us narrative and images to represent an overall idea or theme
• Work in groups to develop your skills
• Work independently to nurture your own projects

Emma Goldstraw graduated in 2009. "The Illustration course that I studied was exceptional. The course allowed me to have more freedom and try various methods and ways of working that I had never done before. The course also allowed me to experience new technology, computer programmes and digital media.

The staff in the department are all very supportive and approachable. Most importantly they helped me build my own confidence about my own work. They let me see that I was progressing with my work and encouraged me to push my work further."

Communication Design

Illustration is one of three courses that comprise the communication design programme (animation, graphic design and illustration). While following your course in illustration, you will also gain a broad educational experience by being provided with a wide range of opportunities for you to engage with generic communication design issues as well as your pathway choice in illustration. The goal is to deliver agile and flexible graduate designers who have a broad understanding of communication design coupled with deep knowledge and expertise in their chosen subject pathway.

For examples of student work, staff profiles, and news from Illustration, visit the DJCAD website.

• Animation
• Art, Philosophy, Contemporary Practices
• Digital Interaction Design
• Fine Art (Digital Media, Drawing & Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture)
• Graphic Design
• Interior & Environmental Design
• Jewellery & Metal Design
• Product Design
• Textile Design
• Time Based Art & Digital Film