Outline
MA Illustration is a programme designed to develop, challenge and push the boundaries of what it means to be a contemporary illustrator in an international industry. A synthesis of theory and practice, this programme creates discourse around what illustration is, and what it can be.
A studio culture opens up collaborative practice, and individual development is fostered through a dedicated studio with individual workspaces. You will explore contemporary issues through traditional image-making techniques to futuristic and experimental techniques.
Postgraduate study of this subject allows for a deeper analysis of themes and texts and enables you to build an innovative and focused portfolio. Often, our students have ambitions for the professional sphere, or they may wish to pursue doctoral studies. In each case, there is a sustained level of research, allied to technical ways of working and conceptual thinking.
Programme structure
Over the course of a busy year, you are invited to find your own creative voice, fostering individual practices. You build upon this through the three semesters with tutor support.
You are supported through a range of workshops, challenges and briefs by talented staff and technicians, as well as an array of equipment and facilities.
You will write research proposals in the early weeks, describing ideas and contexts for individual projects. You will be guided in these proposals, and you will also be given set projects and collaborative tasks at various points in the academic year.
There is a Life Drawing studio with a series of classes and various digital clusters throughout the campus. The academic work naturally encapsulates traditional media and information technology.
Theoretical work underpins all studio practice at many levels, and there is a series of visiting lecturers from the professional and academic worlds.
We welcome a range of approaches to illustration, and how this subject relates to design and the fine arts. Illustration master's students have also collaborated with other academic subjects in ECA and the wider community of the University of Edinburgh.
Group projects have included:
- exhibitions at the Scottish Parliament and Institut Français Écosse
- a set of finely printed postcards depicting aspects of Edinburgh for the Heart of Midlothian project * illustrations for charities such as Children of Scotland and Ocean Generation.
Recent collaborations have included the Edinburgh Filmhouse and various University publications.
Additionally, there are competitions and opportunities to exhibit at points during the year. These include:
- Penguin
- V&A
- The Folio Society
- 3x3
- Macmillan Children’s Book Competition.
Teaching
You will be taught by experienced academics, tutors and technicians with a range of specialisms. All staff are practitioners in the creative industries, bringing real-world and contemporary knowledge to teaching.
Staff have specialisms in graphic novels, artist's books, exhibitions, children’s books, natural history, comic books, advertising, printmaking and much more.
Teaching is delivered through a range of lessons, from lectures and seminars to individual tutorials. Workshops include:
- comic and sequential illustrations
- woodblock printing
- experimental drawing
- creative thinking
- sketchbook practice
- bookbinding
- freelancing
- digital skills
- other creative and professional development.
There are also optional courses in children’s picture books, gameplay, business and much more across the wider University.
Assessment
You are assessed regularly throughout the course with individual written feedback at multiple points, both formative and summative. You can build upon your learning at each point with direction and support from your tutors.
Assessment is focused on creative work with some written elements. The final project is a creative body of work, rather than a final dissertation.
