Illustration for Children’s Publishing

MA Illustration for Children’s Publishing

This is a unique Master’s course that not only deals with illustration techniques and drawing skills but examines the complexities of narrative sequencing, storytelling and character design. Choosing this specialist course you will gain a full appreciation of the breadth of this extensive, highly competitive and demanding section of the design industry. This programme is very much supported by top children’s illustrators and publishers, so employment prospects for graduates are excellent.

At Glyndŵr University’s North Wales School of Art & Design our aim is for you to develop more than just your artistic skills. The School offers specialisations of animation, general illustration, multimedia, graphic novels and graphic design as well as advanced levels of information technology, communication, organisational and professional and business skills. Glyndŵr University graduates have an excellent record of work being published and gaining employment within the complementary areas of computer games, multimedia and animation.

Special features

• The degree has a ‘traditional’ drawing curriculum, with reference in particular to figure drawing, anthropomorphism and character development.
• There is also a strong vocational focus with relevant trips abroad, such as the international Children’s Book Festival in Bologna and visiting London-based publishers.
• The North Wales School of Art & Design has excellent commercial links with leading British publishers, based on our reputation for high professional standards.
• We have annual success in national illustration and design competitions.
• You will get the opportunity to undertake design studies within Poland for part of the course.
• Access to other design disciplines encourages very individual and professional portfolios, catering to the needs of the industry while promoting personal strengths.
• Workshops and ‘Artist in Residence’ schemes within local primary schools are available to focus attention and interaction with the target audience.
• Taught by the authors of ‘The Encyclopaedia of How to Write and Illustrate Children’s Books’, Quarto Publishing 2008.

Career opportunities

100% of our Illustration for Children’s Publishing graduates found employment or were undertaking further studies within 6 months of graduating: 44% run their own businesses.

We aim to ensure that North Wales School of Art & Design graduates have a portfolio of work and a range of skills which not only helps them to get a job within the design and media industry, but also helps them to further their careers and work within a range of job scenarios. We consider it very important that students are able to work internationally.

Course content

Your specialist studies are at the heart of this course. Alongside tutorial support, we provide modules in research methodologies and practice to help you find and develop ideas and themes. You will have opportunities to collaborate and work with students from other disciplines; this can also be a commercial project. You will undertake a dissertation and masters presentation.

Assessment

At the end of each major stage your work will be assessed in summary, in the form of crits, seminars, peer review and individual feedback through tutorials. The final end of course assessment takes the form of an exhibition and final show. Students also have the opportunity to display their work externally to the University. The New Designers exhibition in London is one example.

Entry requirements

You must have an honours degree in a relevant subject. If you wish to enter the course at points other than the beginning of the programme by carrying existing masters level credits, exemptions from the early stage of the course will be considered.

Course length

Full time: 1 year
Part time: 2-3 years