Illustration

Illustration is a discipline concerned with the creation of images that communicate ideas, stories, and information across a wide range of contexts, from children's books and editorial commissions to graphic novels, advertising, animation, and public art. It occupies a distinctive position in the visual arts, combining strong drawing and design skills with the ability to generate ideas that serve a purpose and connect with an audience. At degree level, illustration education develops not just technical proficiency but the conceptual thinking, visual problem-solving, and professional awareness needed to work as an illustrator in a demanding and competitive field.

At Wrexham this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year that introduces you to the fundamental principles of illustration, design thinking, and visual communication. You will develop core illustration skills alongside an understanding of basic design thinking processes, graphic communication, and introductory animation, building a broad and flexible creative foundation. Teaching in the foundation year covers tools, materials, and creative techniques alongside historical and contemporary contexts of illustration, print, and production, and introduces you to the professional landscape of the illustration industry.

As you progress into the main degree you will develop a more specialised practice and a professional portfolio that demonstrates the range and quality of your work.

Graduates in illustration find careers across the creative industries. Editorial illustration, children's book illustration, graphic narrative, character design for games and animation, surface pattern design, advertising, and motion graphics are among the most diverse destinations, and many illustrators work across several of these areas simultaneously. The combination of conceptual and technical skills the degree develops also translates into roles in design agencies, publishing houses, and broadcast companies, or into freelance careers as independent creative practitioners.

Some graduates continue to postgraduate study in illustration, visual communication, or animation.