Do you have a knack for the arts and a love for creative storytelling, but are uncertain how to turn this passion into a career? Pursuing an online degree in illustration is a fantastic first step toward making your mark in the art world. 

On Falmouth University’s online MA in Illustration, you’ll unlock your potential as a creative, gaining industry-ready visual and technical skills and the confidence to bring your artistic vision to life. 

You’ll graduate equipped to showcase your refined mark-making skill set to future employers and freelance clients, supported by a robust art portfolio that highlights your unique style and creativity, helping you stand out in the competitive art industries.

Over two years, you’ll complete flexible, career-building modules and connect with fellow creatives, all the while discovering the pathways – from children's book illustration to concept art for games and films – that excite you the most.

Explore visual communication practices behind effective illustration

You’ll begin your illustration journey by examining the fundamental principles of visual communication. Through hands-on projects, you’ll develop an understanding of how imagery tells stories and conveys emotions, allowing you to develop your own distinctive approach to illustration.

With this insight, you’ll be able to not only create art for yourself but illustrate for diverse audiences. 

Work with a range of visual art tools to enhance your illustration techniques

To make yourself a marketable creator and refine your visual language, you’ll delve into a variety of visual tools relevant to illustration practice. This includes core mark-making skills, both haptic and digital.

Throughout this module, you’ll be encouraged to experiment with a variety of media and techniques, allowing you to communicate your ideas effectively and establish your visual identity.  

Understand the role of storytelling within illustration practice

Behind every piece of art, is a story being told. You’ll discover storytelling strategies and the ways each connects with local and global audiences. 

You’ll examine different narrative systems, including plot types, worldbuilding, and characterisation, as well as how to illustrate various types of narrative mediums, such as children’s books, graphic novels, gaming, and apps. 

As you work through this module, you’ll be tasked to write a critical reflection, drawing from your opportunities and insights from case studies. In doing so, you’ll craft a creative methodology you can apply in real-time.  

Discover your visual identity and practical illustration applications

Next, you’ll build your entrepreneurial skills, considering your brand values while developing a strategy to communicate them effectively to the right industry audiences. You’ll identify a network of industry connections and prepare a marketing and self-promotion plan, helping you get your art out into the world.   

As a final project, you’ll develop a comprehensive body of work that reflects your chosen pathway and expresses your defined visual identity. With this portfolio, you’ll have a sturdy stepping stone for your future illustration endeavours.

What can you do with an Illustration MA?

As a graduate of this course, you’ll be equipped with transferable creative and technical skills and a refined portfolio you can take in many different career directions within the wider visual communication industries, including:

• Freelance illustration 

• Illustration agent

• Publishing 

• Creative advertising

• Graphic design

• Animation

• Web design

• Art direction

How will you be assessed?

You’ll be assessed through practical assignments, such as building a robust portfolio and creating a self-promotion strategy that can be used during networking activities, as well as via written assignments, including reflective journals and reports.

You’ll learn from a blend of lectures, webinars, guest talks, and creative practice, via Falmouth University’s cutting-edge virtual learning environment. 

Is this a part-time or full-time degree?

This course meets you where you are in life, allowing you the flexibility to work through modules part-time over two years. You’ll complete five modules, including a final project, consisting of approximately 15 weeks of study each. While you can complete this online degree at your own pace, it’s encouraged you dedicate at least 20-25 hours per week to your studies.