Illustration Courses

DS202: Typography I

The Typography courses provide students with an understanding of the integral use of typography in the overall design concept. Type as a communicative and creative element is explored. Students become familiar with the organizational skills necessary for clear communication as well as the formative aspects of typographic symbols and arrangement.

Typography I is an introductory course that deals with the history and practice of using typography in design. This course will familiarize students with several methods for structuring type so that they might gain an understanding of how typographic variables and the principles of legibility and readability affect visual communication. Each student will be encouraged to develop their own personal awareness of and appreciation for typography; so that they will become equipped with the terminology, theory and practice necessary for making design decisions that facilitate understanding among their intended audience.

Credits: 3.0
Prerequisite(s): F110, F113/F115

DS210: Illustration I

In Illustration I, this basic introduction to the broad field of illustration, problem-solving, creativity, effective communication and aesthetics are explored through the working process common to the professional. Drawing and other visual skills are defined and refined through exploration of various media and style solutions. Visual solutions will emphasize appropriate and inventive application of formal elements.

The field of illustration is a unique amalgamation of ideals from fine art and design. Like the designer, the illustrator’s duty is problem solving – solving someone else’s problems. Illustrators work with editors and art directors to create imagery that visually communications a specific message clearly. Like fine artists, illustrators seek to find their personal artistic voice with which to communicate, developing style from their own aesthetic concerns, personal experience or political conviction.

This course will provide students with the skills necessary to solve complex visual problems and develop a personal approach to concept and image. Daily lectures and exercises will focus on the illustration process, tracts within the field of illustration, professional practices of illustrators, media techniques, drawing and analysis of successful student and professional work.

Credits: 3.0
Prerequisite(s): F110, F113

DS211: Illustration II

In Illustration II, this further journey into the world of illustration, students will start to streamline and refine their work ethic, using the working process they were introduced to in Illustration I. As before, drawing and other visual skills are defined and refined through exploration of various media and style solutions. Visual solutions will emphasize appropriate and inventive application of formal elements. Professional presentation of work will be emphasized.

Your experiences in this course will closely mirror what you can expect to encounter in the professional world. To successfully progress through this course you must be absolutely mindful of deadlines and specific project parameters. At the conclusion of this course, if you have applied yourself, you should have developed a well rounded body of work and gained the skills necessary to begin pursuing freelance work on your own. Classroom discussions will include marketing your work, how to find clients, and portfolio building.

Credits: 3.0
Prerequisite(s): DS210

DS212: Illustration Media

Illustration Media is a comprehensive exploration of medias and their application to the process of 2D and 3D communicative illustration. Emphasis is placed on the development of technical skills and the creative concepts related to traditional and emerging media. Student gain the ability to analyze applications, media and techniques, assess and develop a working process that will produce the desired effect and be able to execute the selected technique to successfully solve the original problem.

Attention is paid to the sharpening of technique and conceptual skills. Media to be explored are: pen and ink, watercolor, gouache, pastel, colored pencil, acrylic paint, linocut, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, in addition to other selected media.

The student will also be introduced to line technique and media supports such as paper, canvas, masonite, illustration board and the Mac computer. Critiques, demonstrations, and discussions augment student assignments.

Credits: 3.0
Prerequisite(s): FA113/FA115

DS214: Figure Drawing for Illustration

Figure Drawing for Illustrators is an in depth study of the figure and it’s relationship and application in contemporary Illustration. Course work and assignments will focus on a thorough understanding of anatomy through observation, personal expression, and practical application to Illustration. Traditional and non-traditional drawing methods will serve as the vehicle for exploration.

Credits: 3.0
Prerequisite(s): FA113/FA115

DS215: Adv. Figure Drawing for Illustrators

Advanced Figure Drawing for Illustrators is an in depth study of the figure and it’s relationship and application in contemporary Illustration. Course work and assignments will focus on a thorough understanding of anatomy through observation, personal expression, and practical application to Illustration. Traditional and non-traditional drawing methods will serve as the vehicle for exploration.

Careful and in-depth study of the figure will help inform and strengthen the imagination. This class will focus on how to take the observational studies and apply them towards more creative processes such as storytelling, expressive caricature, and animation.

Credits: 3.0
Prerequisite(s): DS214

DS230: Computer Studio I

This course is an introduction to the use of the computer and essential software as tools for the visual communicator. In Computer Studio I, students become acquainted with the Macintosh computing platform by engaging in an intensive and thorough exploration of the software/hardware commonly used by designers and artists. Through demonstrations and experimentation, students will learn the fundamentals of Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop (as well as other design/utility applications) and their roll in print media and digital pre-press.

This one semester, three-credit course is designed to introduce sophomore-level communication design students to the Macintosh computing environment as a tool, and perhaps as a medium, for concepting and composing visual communications. An introduction to basic computer functionality will take place, followed by directed projects which will introduce students to working with Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator software to produce communication design solutions that may be successfully taken to press. The incorporation of the graphics applications platform as a foundative element in the process of design will be explored. This course has not been conceived and will not be taught merely as a means by which students will learn these two software applications. Rather, the course structure will stress me use of this software as a means to engaging in the design process, as a method for creating graphic communications that may be output as press-ready film, laser comps, or output directly to a digital press.

Credits:
Prerequisite(s): F113/F115

DS231: Computer Studio II

Computer Studio II will build upon skills and techniques developed in Computer Studio 1. Through demonstrations and exploration of tools available in Photoshop, students will develop a thorough understanding of photo manipulation software and some of its uses for the visual communicator. In addition to Photoshop, students will learn basic skills associated with Fireworks and Flash.

The course will include demonstrations, exercises, quizzes, and projects. Though texts will be used to supplement student learning, this course is not a self-guided tour and instruction on a day-to-day basis is a necessary component of the class.

Along with the teaching of the software application, course content should allow for the integration of basic design principles, including hierarchy, compositional arrangement and typographic form.

Credits: 3.0
Prerequisite(s): DS230

DS310: Illustration III

Illustration III expands on the skills learned in Illustration I and Illustration II while stressing the importance of the professional working process. Visual thinking as it applies to the field of communication is explored, with an emphasis on creative problem-solving.

The primary focus of this course will be to develop your personal sensibilities regarding the field of illustration and how these sensibilities can best be applied. In addition to focusing on conceptual growth and technique, we will also address issues of professional practice, including portfolio development, markets, contracts, copyright, freelance business practices, self-promotion techniques, production requirements and ethical guidelines.

Credits: 3.0
Prerequisite(s): DS211

DS311: Illustration IV

Illustration IV expands on the skills learned in Illustration I-III while stressing the importance of the professional working process. In Illustration IV, you will refine individual approaches to problem solving and visualization and bridge the gap between student and professional illustration.

Emphasis is put on conceptual and critical approach to the visualization process. A continuous exploration of media and techniques will strengthen and individualize your formal skills.

A continuous goal of this course is to refine your personal sensibilities regarding the field on illustration and determine how these sensibilities can best be applied. The aim is not to acquire standard styles but to find areas of interest and media forms that best complement your idiosyncratic conceptual and formal handwriting.

The course will again integrate image and text within a design context to promote a comprehensive understanding of the role of the illustrator, the art director, and the designer. You are required to think beyond the content and aesthetics of an image and consider the formal and conceptual context of its application.

Projects in class will mimic the diversity of the profession and require you to develop flexibility and sensitivity to the needs of a particular client. Issues of professional practice will be addressed, including portfolio development, markets, contracts, copyright, freelance business practices, self-promotion techniques, production requirements, and ethical guidelines.

Credits: 3.0
Prerequisite(s): DS310

DS410: Professional Practice for Illustrators

Professional Practice for Illustrators is presented to those students exhibiting a solid understanding of technical skills, creative attitude and high motivation. The primary goal of this course is to prepare students to enter the field of illustration by providing them with the tools and information to begin to build a freelance client base.

Credits: 3.0
Prerequisite(s): DS311

DS411: Illustration Thesis

Illustration Thesis is the final course of study in the Illustration program at MIAD. Each student is required to submit a written proposal and timeline for an Illustration Thesis project reflecting the primary interests and career goals of the illustrator. The thesis proposal will encompass a specific project utilizing the student’s skills and knowledge with the intention of fully exploring the student’s abilities within a specific field of illustration. Course work and assignments will focus on the execution and completion of the thesis project and a portfolio of the student’s illustrations for professional presentation and final review at the Senior Exhibition. Participation in the Senior Exhibition is required.

Coursework will emphasize the student’s facility for research, comprehension, understanding, and execution of visual communication between the artist, client, and the prospective audience. Supplementary coursework shall include production of promotional materials with attention to both content and style.
Professionalism is an essential component of the course and students are required to attend and be prepared for all scheduled meetings and critiques. Students are also required to be actively involved in the overall preparation of the general MIAD thesis exhibition, e.g. lighting crew, painting crew, signage, gallery monitoring, etc.
Students are required to submit digital documentation of their thesis project by the end of the semester.

Credits: 3.0
Prerequisite(s): DS410 & DS412

DS412: Illustration Seminar I

This course offers an overview of the illustration field. Each semester consists of a series of seminars presented by practicing professionals representing a cross-section of the field. Specific deadlines, one- on-one interaction and an evaluation of performance by outside professionals prepare the student for entry into the illustration field.

Credits: 3.0
Prerequisite(s): DS311

DS413: Illustration Seminar II

This course offers an overview of the illustration field. Each semester consists of a series of seminars presented by practicing professionals representing a cross-section of the field. Specific deadlines, one- on-one interaction and an evaluation of performance by outside professionals prepare the student for entry into the illustration field.

Credits: 3.0
Prerequisite(s): DS410 & DS412