MA Illustration (Online)

The course has been designed to suit students that want to continue their creative journey, exploring their personal or professional illustrative practice, but who may have other responsibilities preventing them from studying full-time. Our interdisciplinary approach combines multi-modal creative practice with a systems thinking approach, considering the broader context in which our illustrative work exists—such as how cultural, social, and technological elements can influence our creative practice. We place as much emphasis on a consideration for what is being illustrated, and the meaning being conveyed, as we do on the final aesthetic and finish of the piece.

We value work that explores the ethical, societal and environmental whilst building professional portfolios. The course fosters a culture of goal setting, project management, and collaboration, preparing students for the professional world.

A Master's degree in Illustration instils in you the ability to approach all aspects of an illustration career with academic rigour and professional level practical skills. Our units – and the briefs within them – are varied and specialised – ensuring a balance between developing your own creative practice, conducting in-depth high-quality research and exploring how illustration exists as a medium in a contemporary context. Alongside this, we support your career planning and positioning – enabling you to understand how you can situate and market your work.

This introductory unit 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 – preparing you to be capable of engaging meaningfully with the rest of the content on the course.

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

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 idea generation methods as well as considering the ethics and the impact that generative AI has on contemporary illustration.

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 unit, 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 unit, 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.