BA (Hons) Illustration Bachelor's degree at Teesside University

Enhance your skills in team-working, communication, project management and negotiation. You collaborate with a group of your course mates to produce a small-scale creative project in response to a subject-specific brief.

Study the creative facets of being an innovative image maker, exploring drawing, printmaking, digital painting, Photoshop, Illustrator and other experimental 2D techniques. You examine historical and contemporary practitioners, and use this to inspire and contextualise your developing practice and illustrative voice.

With many opportunities in the creative industries sector, learn how to start on your career path while developing vital employability skills such as networking and digital presence. Understand the structure of the sector and the interdisciplinary relationships between art, design and media. Discover how the sector operates locally, nationally and globally – debating the role of policy and the importance of sustainability.

Discover 3D and moving images through storytelling and characterisation, analogue and digital exploration of 3D techniques and short-form animation. Through practical sessions, you explore the use of model making, paper play, ceramics, 3D printing, woodwork, photography and laser cutting. In digital sessions, you study the metaverse, moving image, 3D mailable illustrations and augmented reality (AR).

Develop critical thinking and analysis skills, exploring contemporary issues and debates related to the creative industries. You research a specific area or development within your chosen subject – this may be technical, economic, ethical, legal, cultural, sociological, or a combination. You draw on appropriate academic and industry sources to contextualise your research. You present your topic and initial research within taught sessions, providing an opportunity for peer and tutor feedback.

Develop your creative voice through a range of fast-paced briefs that explore the diversity of illustration. You enhance your understanding of concept, audience, sequence, visual clues, colour, composition, texture and character creation as you establish your creative thinking and interpretation skills. Considering the commercial applications of illustration, you create a body of work that prepares you for working with a range of clients. From roughs to scamps, storyboarding to the dummy book, y

You develop and explore, in depth, a creative industry-based project in your specialist area of design, art, media, music, photography or illustration - relevant to your future professional practice. While forming a professional portfolio of work, you experience real-world business scenarios and challenges, industry competitions and cross and inter-disciplinary activities. You gain skills in project management, applied research methods and collaborative creative work.

There are many challenges facing contemporary art, design and media practices. You research the social, political or ecological challenges around us to generate a small-scale project. You develop and reflect on your understanding of enterprise in the context of the creative industries. Contextualise your own professional practice and aspirations through application of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking. You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, a

You produce a self-managed, individual extended piece of independent investigation and/or creative production or portfolio of work. Supervised by an academic member of staff, you take responsibility for the planning and execution of the work, including the consideration of associated legal, social, ethical and professional issues. You explore in depth a chosen subject area, demonstrating your ability to analyse, synthesise and creatively apply your learning, showing critical and evaluative skill

Plan and implement your departure from education to your first or new career, or to further study. You continue your creative practice, developing a portfolio and/or extended piece of work which reflects you as a creative. You explore discipline-specific employability strategies, and engage and network with industry to develop key connections.