FdA Illustration Arts with Graphics and Animation Level 5
“This foundation degree will provide you with a broad range of creative skills that will enable you to become an independent and capable illustrator. It will address the practical and professional requirements necessary to succeed in illustration practice, whilst developing an experimental approach to visual communication.
The course considers a variety of relevant fields of illustration, including: editorial, reportage, merchandising, publishing and narrative image making (comic arts, graphic novels and picture books). You can explore areas such as character development, typography, book design and visual expression. Practical areas include drawing, printmaking, bookbinding and digital skills.
Drawing is a central component of the course and is seen as critical to the development of your ideas and practical skills. You will explore contemporary and traditional approaches to drawing and illustration, working both on location and in the studio. The range of skills you develop will help you build a comprehensive, high-quality portfolio of work, where you find your own personal and professional voice.
Course Details
- We consider a variety of qualifications and relevant experience, and each application is assessed on its own merit.
Each module is worth a specified number of credits: you take a combination of compulsory (and if available optional modules) enabling you to cover key subject knowledge while developing your own interests. For full time students a total of 120 credits will be studied in each academic year. In the majority of cases this will consist of six modules. For part time students it will depend on the intensity of your studies.
Year 1 Modules
Digital Tools - 20 credits
Contextual Studies - 20 credits
Visual Explorer - 20 credits
Sequence and Narrative - 20 credits
Image and Expression - 20 credits
Developing Collaborative Practice - 20 credits
Year 2 Modules
Professional Engagement - 20 credits
Negotiated Research - 20 credits
Meeting the Brief - 20 credits
Exploration for Innovation - 20 credits
Planning for Success - 20 credits
Making It Happen - 20 credits
"I studied for a FdA in Illustration Arts as a mature student single parent. I was apprehensive about returning to study, but I was soon made to feel welcome. The course was challenging, fun and informative. On completion of my course I proceeded to Plymouth University to complete my BA (Hons) Degree in Illustration. After my studies, I set up my own illustration business with my partner James called 'Flossy and Jim'. We are now a registered brand working for major global companies. Our illustrations have been published in several children's books worldwide, used in cartoons, and used on a global messenger app. We've been lucky enough to work with major clients such as a Hollywood film director, Heat magazine, ASOS and Apple, to name a few. I'm extremely happy I completed my course at University Centre South Devon, as it's given me the freedom to do a job I love!"Lynette Jordan of ‘Flossy and Jim’