Children's Book Illustration, MA

Program Overview

The MA Children's Book Illustration program empowers graduates and illustrators to refine their skills and techniques for the dynamic children's book market. Graduates embark on successful careers as children's book illustrators, authors, or in various roles within the publishing industry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Our MA Children’s Book Illustration course is perfect for recent graduates or professional illustrators who want to develop new ideas and techniques for the children’s market. There is an optional professional placement to gain real-world experience. Children's book publishing is a fascinating and varied market. It is continuously evolving in response to changes in society and our environment. The formats available to illustrators are also changing. The emphasis of this course is children's picture and story books, but you can also look at different formats. This could include graphic novels, comic books, non-fiction books or a brand new format. That means the ability to fuse written and visual content is important in the practice of children’s book illustration. We'll help you to develop these skills. At the end of the course, you will have a body of work produced to a professional and publishable standard.

Outline:

Year 1

Compulsory Modules:

• Research Methodologies: In this module, you'll develop your knowledge and application of theory to underpin practical investigations.
Expand your research skills by conducting a review of relevant literature and in contextual reflection for developing and positioning your own practice. (Module code: DE4401)
• Research in Context: This module will support you to make informed decisions of your critical position in the design industry.
It'll direct you to establish a clear and critical rationale that will inform through research and underpin your practice decisions. You'll also develop your critical understanding of the philosophies, design strategies and design work of others by networking with relevant contacts. (Module code: DE4402)
• Reflective Practice: This module will encourage a more focused analysis and initiate the generation of unique connections within the field of contemporary art, design and media practice relating to your chosen discipline.
You'll develop knowledge, conversancy and application of reflective practice as evidenced through the use of a Reflective Journal. (Module code: DE4403)
• Experimental Practice: This module aims to analyse, de-construct and re-construct through practical activities.
Test and explore emerging philosophies within your specific practice discipline. (Module code: DE4404)
• Specialist Practice: Utilise theoretical debate and discussion to stimulate analytical, creative and innovative responses to your practice.
Advance key skill competences, investigative resources and creative vision. Deploy personal and professional interests and focus your creative practice. Specialise creative practice through informed research with an emphasis on cultural intelligence and a global outlook. (Module code: DE4405)
• Children's Book Illustration Advanced Practice: This module provides the opportunity for you to realise your ideas and aspirations through the successful completion of a major study within animation.
It will encourage a mastery of practiced-based research through a complex and specialised area of animation study. Enhance critical decision-making in complex and unpredictable solutions for the generation of new ideas within the animation process. (Module code: DE4407)

Assessment:

Both practical and theoretical elements will be assessed during and at the end of each module. The final form of the assessment strategy and criteria is the result of collaboration between student and staff.

Teaching:

The course is supported by staff expertise and extensive computer, studio and workshop facilities. There is also a programme of guest lecturers, company and consultancy visits as well as exhibitions and extra workshops.

Careers:

MA Children’s Book Illustration graduates could enjoy a career as an author/illustrator for children’s books. You could also work as a book designer or in the publishing industry. Most children’s illustrators work as freelancers for UK and International publishing houses. Lots of children's illustrators also develop their own books. Some specialise purely in children’s work, whilst others work as character and toy designers, animators or general illustrators in the design, advertising or publishing industry. You can display your creative work for other students and industry figures. Discover the award-winning work produced by previous students. You will develop your research and reflective skills to support and inform your creative design process. Project work will be exhibited at a Degree Show that will be attended by industry and potential employers, as well as family, friends, students and the general public. Get hands-on with this widely recognised package and create a portfolio that showcases your skills.

UK

• Full-time: £9,000 per year
• Part-time: £1,000 per 20 credits

International

• Full-time: £16,900 per year