To become an illustrator, you’ll need to find the right school. Luckily, there are plenty of options!
FIT offers a BFA in Illustration that combines storytelling, drawing, painting, design, and research. It also has four focuses to help students explore specific professional areas.
Location
The best illustration schools in the world will provide the education, training, and networking opportunities you need to be successful in the creative industry. For illustration, many of the best schools have campuses in major cities throughout the United States, while others are abroad.
A great example of a school with a campus near a critical city is New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). This private institution offers undergraduate and graduate art, design, business, and communications programs.
The school’s BFA in illustration is a four-year program that includes computer illustration, graphic design, painting and drawing, and studio art classes. Students can also complete a concentration in animation or surface design.
FIT graduates have worked in various fields, including advertising, entertainment, and publishing. They have created work for different companies and studios.
The MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay is a two-year program that accepts just 20 students annually. This competitive program includes painting, creative writing, illustration, and computer illustration classes. It also features a classroom-based curriculum, internships, guest lecturers, workshops, and personal workspaces with 24-hour access. The faculty also regularly visits professional artists, galleries, and museums.
Specializations
If you want to get into this field, choose a school with a well-rounded curriculum. You’ll also need to pick a college with plenty of opportunities to network and learn from industry experts. It will help you land that coveted internship or job of your dreams. As you work toward your degree, you’ll learn to use various materials, including graphite and paint, and create your own studio space.
You’ll also learn to hone your craft with industry-approved courses like Adobe Illustrator CS3 and Photoshop classes. You’ll even be able to attend industry conferences and workshops where you can practice your newfound skills with fellow students.
You can find the best illustration school in the world in many locations, but some top-notch programs are in cities like Paris, London, and New York. These institutions have a well-rounded curriculum that includes art, music, and other subjects to help you become the next Picasso or modern Michelangelo. The best illustration schools are the ones that have a small student population and a large faculty that will help you reach your career goals.
Teaching Methods
If you want to become an illustrator, you may need to find a school that offers courses in drawing and illustration. These types of schools enable students to hone their skills and work on strengthening their weaknesses, which can help them secure good jobs in this field.
Some schools focus on preparing students for specific careers, while others are more general. In addition, many schools also offer specializations in different fields.
Many schools also offer a wide range of drawing and illustration courses, including portrait drawing, landscape drawing, and life drawing. These are essential skills for aspiring illustrators to have, as they can be used in a variety of different jobs.
Aside from drawing courses, many schools also provide information on the different kinds of paper and other supplies that a professional illustrator should use. It can include information about archival techniques and preservation methods, for example.
Most instructors believe that a student should learn the fundamentals of drawing before attempting to create a complex composition. It is because it’s easy to make mistakes when figuring out how to approach a problematic drawing task.
Some teachers are very hands-on, working with their students to solve problems and explore their ideas. Other instructors prefer to have students do more independent study or self-study. They also bring books into their classrooms from different disciplines to expand students’ knowledge and skills.
Career Opportunities
The illustration program allows students to learn how to make their work stand out using various techniques. It’s a hands-on program that takes advantage of the college’s state-of-the-art facilities, software, and galleries and the opportunity to participate in the school’s study abroad and internship programs.
MCAD also features a one-year Master of Arts (MA) in Illustration Practice, which offers students the chance to explore the field through classes and studios and an independent research project. This course allows students to apply their skills professionally, enabling them to create portfolios and exhibitions for potential employers.
Other career paths for MCAD graduates include advertising, graphic design, digital media, game design, editorial, and fashion. In addition, some Illustration graduates have pursued careers in children’s book illustration, medical illustration, forensic art, and textile design.
MICA also offers an Illustration Minor for students who want to focus on this area. In addition to offering courses taught by industry professionals, this program provides access to its renowned Design Thinking Center and mentorship opportunities. The program also has a strong relationship with the New York City-based Society of Illustrators, which can help students network with fellow illustrators and artists.
