Illustration

Illustration is a discipline that uses visual art to communicate, narrate, and interpret. It occupies a distinctive space between fine art and design, producing images that are responsive to a brief or a context rather than purely self-expressive, while still requiring the creative vision, mark-making skill, and personal voice of an artist. From editorial illustration and book publishing to animation, games, advertising, and information design, the field encompasses an enormous range of visual languages and professional contexts.

At the University of Edinburgh, this four-year programme includes a year abroad, giving you the experience of studying in a different creative environment and the opportunity to broaden your visual references and influences in a genuinely international context. Edinburgh's art school tradition gives illustration students access to a culture of serious making alongside critical reflection, and you will develop technical skills across a range of media, both hand-drawn and digital, while also building your capacity to generate ideas, develop concepts, and respond to complex briefs. You will engage with the history and theory of illustration as well as the contemporary landscape of the field.

Illustration graduates work across a wide range of visual communication contexts. Editorial illustration for magazines, newspapers, and online publications, children's book illustration, graphic novel and comics work, character design for animation and games, surface pattern design, advertising, and self-initiated artist practice are all established directions. Many graduates develop portfolio careers that combine commissioned work with personal projects.

Further study in illustration, visual communication, animation, or fine art is open to those who wish to develop their practice or specialise further.