MA Illustration

This introductory module is designed to orient you and your cohort. We’ll give you the core skills and knowledge required to deconstruct, build and expand on all aspects of your practice. By the end of this module, you’ll also be capable of engaging meaningfully with the rest of the content on the course.

This module will delve into the concept of self, and how it shapes the work of the illustrator. Together, we’ll explore how others identify socially and culturally. You’ll document your research and development in a process book and create an illustrative response to a prompt provided by your tutors.

Every mark we make on a (real or virtual) surface can add a different meaning to the overall work. By experimenting with and analysing this concept, we’ll explore ways of translating your ideas into your chosen medium. You’ll also delve into the enduring mythology of craftsmanship, and its context in today’s world.

Looking at both historical and contemporary resources, we’ll explore how images are sequenced to tell a story. This knowledge will feed into theories related to visual literacy, the reading of an image, and the ways in which you can engage with (or challenge) an author. You’ll then deliver a creative visual response to a set prompt.

Collaboration is a core aspect of the AUB experience, and it will always be an integral part of developing your creative career. Together with your peers, you’ll work collaboratively to solve a set brief. By connecting with a global ecosystem of fellow creatives, you’ll get first-hand experience developing viable collaboration methods across different time zones.

This module will focus on building your entrepreneurial prowess and helping you thrive in the industry. We’ll examine the identity of the illustrator as both an artist and a design professional and consider your work within a business setting. By creating innovative visual solutions, you will explore both the practical and theoretical aspects of your practice.

Is it possible for someone to own an idea? Now more than ever, notions surrounding intellectual property are being challenged. Together with your cohort, you will deep dive into the impact that generative AI has on contemporary illustration and explore the ethical challenges of its use.

Illustrators often use their skills to document the world around them, and relay truths or opinions in visual form. Through medium and aesthetic, ideas can be repositioned and recreated – so what is the illustrator’s role in this process? Can the discipline ever be impartial, and what is the resulting effect of the agency you assert? Throughout this module, you’ll investigate documented spaces, and reflect on how your perspectives influence your creative output.

We’ll help you develop and structure a final creative output for the course. What resonated most with you? What lines of enquiry would you like to pursue? What topics and methodologies do you want to expand on? Exploration is key here, and we’ll encourage you to research a diverse range of sources for inspiration.

In this final module, you’ll work independently under supervision to follow through on your written and illustrated proposal delivered in Research Methods. We’ll guide you in producing a technically proficient, accomplished body of work that shines at the forefront of illustration practice.