Illustration and Design

Illustration and design sit at the intersection of artistic expression and visual communication, encompassing the creation of images that tell stories, convey information, and give visual form to ideas across an enormous range of contexts, from picture books and editorial illustration to graphic design, branding, digital media, and interactive experiences. Illustration has a long tradition as both an art form and a practical discipline, and in the contemporary creative economy it encompasses not just hand-drawn work but digital illustration, motion graphics, character design, and the visual development that underpins animation, games, and film.

At the University of Sunderland, this three-year full-time degree allows you to push the boundaries of illustration using a blend of traditional and digital techniques, developing your own visual style and personal creative voice alongside the practical skills needed to produce professional-quality work. You will work with experienced academics and alongside like-minded peers in a creative environment, developing the craft, conceptual thinking, and portfolio that the industry requires. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad option, and a work placement, giving you substantial professional experience and the chance to broaden your perspective through time in a different creative context.

These features are important in a sector where industry connections and a strong body of work are essential to building a career.

Graduates in illustration and design work across the creative industries in a wide range of roles. Editorial illustration, children's publishing, character design, branding, graphic design, digital and interactive media, and animation are all common destinations. Many graduates build portfolio careers that combine commissioned work across different types of projects.

The skills of visual communication developed in the degree also transfer into advertising, UX design, game development, and arts education. Postgraduate study in illustration, graphic design, animation, or art and design is a natural next step for those who want to develop their practice further. The typical entry tariff is 120 points.