About Illustration
The department of illustration emphasizes the understanding of contemporary themes and concepts as a basis for nurturing the student’s ability to translate this acquired thematic vocabulary into inventive visual solutions.
As with all areas of communication arts, illustration studies must cover some diverse areas: presenting ideas, conveying emotions, illuminating text and creating narrative without text. Throughout work in each area, problem solving remains a core objective for the illustrator. A solution to any problem must be rooted in the deepest respect for the meaning of your activities and the potential impact of your work on the immediate and greater culture. To help you meet these responsibilities, the department constantly requires a high standard of work, thereby celebrating both the value of good illustration as well as its social and environmental potential. Finally, the department of illustration aims to customize each student’s education while maintaining the strongest core of generalist capabilities.
Learn more about Illustration Courses.
Our graduates typically find career success and professional fulfillment in book illustration, editorial and magazine illustration, game character design, character development, animation, advertising illustration and graphic novels.
You learn first how to envision thoughts and to conceptualize ideas- then to express the resulting cerebral concepts through imagery. You will draw from a deep understanding of storytelling traditions of various cultures and thorough knowledge of symbolism and mythology. We focus on educating our students to communicate professionally through the creative manipulation of image and text within analog and digital environments. Through our courses and faculty, we nurture original thinking and the ability to formulate and express clear, relevant concepts. Working in a wide variety of applications-from sequential storytelling to advertising to editorial and print illustration- students address the visual transmission of meaning and discover the intellectual rewards inherent in the images they create and convey.
The Institute’s Illustration students are challenged to master the technical skills required by a wide range of materials and techniques – from the traditional media of pencils, acrylics, oils and inks, to contemporary collage, photographic and digital processes. Most importantly, we encourage students to develop a professional approach to their work. They draw inspiration from the field trips to professional art studios and advertising agencies, as well as from interaction with a steady flow of visiting artists. At the end of each year employers, illustrators and designers are invited to the Institute to review portfolios and share experiences with students.
Courses Offered During Fall Semester
Digital Image/Illustration (ILL201)
Exploration of tools, techniques, and hands-on skills required in the creation of professional illustrations, graphics, type, and visuals, integrating Illustrator and basic Photoshop imaging techniques in a lecture/studio environment.
Layout Rendering (ILL360.00)
Purpose and application of techniques for layout presentation, as well as refining finished art for reproduction. Emphasis on drawing, painting, ink and marker techniques, and on preparation of finished art through demonstrations, lectures, and hands-on work.
Illustration I (ILL363)
Introduction to the skills required to become a competent illustrator. Class deals with technical problems, rendering and design skills needed in the applied disciplines. Frequent individual group critiques, along with technical demonstrations are offered. Assignments range from advertising art and book illustration to editorial and magazine illustration. The assignments develop concepts for preparation of finished art.
Illustration II (ILL463)
Prepares the illustration students to become working professionals within the marketing communications community. Motivates the student's visual awareness. Teaching the student to conceptualize, design and execute on a professional level. Students become familiar with several techniques used in editorial illustrations, book illustrations, advertising illustrations, as well as many others using an extensive range of materials such as: pencils, acrylics, oils, inks, airbrush, watercolors, dyes and computer imaging. Students learn to produce quality illustrations and to be responsible for the conceptual aspects of a project whenever necessary. Encourages students to develop a confident knowledge of design in illustration, the thinking process, and production techniques necessary to compete in the field of applied arts.
Courses Offered During Spring Semester
Illustration I (ILL364.00)
Introduction to the skills required to become a competent illustrator. Class deals with technical problems, rendering and design skills needed in the applied disciplines. Frequent individual and group critiques, along with technical demonstrations are offered. Assignments range from advertising art and book illustration to editorial and magazine illustration. The assignments develop concepts for preparation of finished art.
Illustration II (ILL464.00)
Prepares the Illustration students to become working professionals within the Marketing Communications community. Motivates the student’s visual awareness. Teaches the student to conceptualize, design and execute on a professional level. Student becomes familiar with several techniques used in editorial illustrations, book illustrations, advertising illustrations, as well as many others using an extensive range of materials such as: pencils, acrylics, oils, inks, airbrush, watercolors, dyes and computer imaging. Students learn to produce quality illustrations and to be responsible for the conceptual aspects of a project whenever necessary. Encourages students to develop a confident knowledge of design in illustration, the thinking process, and production techniques necessary to compete in the field of applied arts.
Instructor: John Chuldenko
Storyboard and Sequencing (ILL46X.00)
This class is a new offering in the Illustration Department that will cover the areas of sequencing and storyboard development. This is a growing field within the traditional print illustration discipline. New techniques, ideas and concepts will thread throughout the class as students explore character development, lighting, and perspective and background concept development. This course is required for 4th year Illustration majors. Also open to electives with permission of the instructors. Portfolio review may be required.
Chuldenko, John - Professor
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Hurvitz, Igal - Adjunct Faculty
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O'Neal, Larry - Adjunct Faculty
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Scibilia, Dominic - Department Head / Professor
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American Greetings Scholarship for Excellence in Illustration
Awarded for outstanding achievement and potential to current 2nd or 3rd year students majoring in Illustration.
Total Amount of Award in 2009: $1,225, shared by 1 or more winner(s)
Award is based on Merit. Merit is criteria in all awards. Need-based awards are based on FAFSA form and the federal methodology.
Audrey '48 and Harvey Feinberg Scholarship
Awarded for exceptional talent to a current 2nd or 3rd year student majoring in Illustration.
Total Amount of Award in 2009: $630, shared by 1 winner(s)
Award is based on Need. Merit is criteria in all awards. Need-based awards are based on FAFSA form and the federal methodology.
Elizabeth Hughes Crall '39 Prize for Excellence in Illustration
Awarded for outstanding achievement to a current 2nd year student majoring in Illustration.
Total Amount of Award in 2009: $110, shared by 1 or more winner(s)
Award is based on Need. Merit is criteria in all awards. Need-based awards are based on FAFSA form and the federal methodology.
Robert E. Morrow '46 and Barbara Price Morrow '43 Scholarship for Excellence in Illustration
Awarded for excellence in illustrating children's books and related print documents to a current 3rd year student who is majoring in Illustration.
Total Amount of Award in 2009: $630, shared by 1 winner(s)
Award is based on Need. Merit is criteria in all awards. Need-based awards are based on FAFSA form and the federal methodology.
Susan Lipman '88 Award for Excellence in Illustration
Awarded for exceptional talent to a current 3rd year student majoring in Illustration who demonstrates financial need.
Total Amount of Award in 2009: $430, shared by 1 winner(s)
Award is based on Need. Merit is criteria in all awards. Need-based awards are based on FAFSA form and the federal methodology.
Willard W. Combes '24 Memorial Scholarship in Illustration
Awarded for outstanding achievement to a current 2nd or 3rd year student majoring in Illustration.
Total Amount of Award in 2009: $810, shared by 1 winner(s)
Award is based on Merit. Merit is criteria in all awards. Need-based awards are based on FAFSA form and the federal methodology.
Download Institute Wide (Open) Awards
Download Award Recipient Information Sheet