Bachelor of Illustration (with Foundation Year) at Teesside University

You are introduced to the contexts of creative and design history, investigating problem solving and themes to inform your current studio practice. You research and learn to analyse ideas about past British and international styles, design and theory. This develops your understanding of the role of the designer, the meanings and vocabulary of space and design, and the relationship between design, society and the environment. You develop skills in research, analysis, communication and critical thinking, and produce and present interpretations of historical material.

Building on your skills in the design process, you develop a project portfolio directed towards your favoured design discipline, demonstrating your creative ideas, development and final concepts. You are encouraged to take a questioning, creative and innovative approach to design project work. You focus on experimental exploration, as well as challenging your ability to motivate and organise yourself to manage a design project and work to a deadline. This project culminates with a short presentation of your completed design work.

You are introduced to the creative design process and methods of researching and recording inspirational ideas which you can then develop for your own project work. You gather inspiration, stimuli and precedent ideas from a multitude of sources and sketchbooks – these are key in developing and experimenting your design, helping you curate ideas and document your design activity.

You take part in a range of specialist studio activities. You investigate, experiment and explore pathways in fashion, textiles, graphics, interiors and product design. You study creative processes and develop independent project skills to help identify the specialist subject which best suits your interests and abilities.

You are introduced to a range of fundamental drawing approaches for a variety of purposes. Practical workshops include measured drawing, scale, composition and perspective as well as creatively using colour, materials and expressive mark making. These experiences increase your observational skills that help you visualise and realise ideas for potential design projects.

You further develop and deepen your knowledge gained from the induction programmes, enhancing your skills in model construction, prototyping, printmaking, and production analysis. You gain greater insight into the complexities of model construction and printmaking by working in detail with various materials, developing techniques and creative skills. This module is project-based – you transfer your knowledge from lectures to hands-on demonstrations in a workshop environment. You primarily learn through producing models and prints from drawings.

You explore the world of 3D image making and the use of model making, paper play, ceramics, 3D printing, woodwork, photography and laser cutting. You develop visual storytelling techniques through the tangible, tactile and fragile. Gain inspiration from those using these techniques, to push the boundaries of the definition of illustration. This module seeks to shake up your practice and develop new ways of producing visual material.

You are introduced to digital image-making skills, digital painting and drawing, and learn how to use the full Adobe creative suite. You explore visual languages and experiment with technology to develop your skills and challenging your thinking through short briefs. Foundational workshops and future-facing technology push your image making and seed the start of your individual illustrative voice across a range of media. You learn from tutors who have adapted to a range of technology used within industry.

Through metaverse, moving image, 3D mailable illustrations and augmented reality, you explore new and evolving digital media. Building a series of short projects and longer creative solutions, you are challenged to rethink illustration in the digital sphere. With an inquisitive mind and an openness to embrace technology, you step into a world of movement and digital 3D drawing. References to industrial practices, emerging creatives and the future of creative industries build on previous learning with a fresh perspective.

You explore and expand your approaches to visual investigation and representation through drawing, image and printmaking. You create visual language through observation, response, emotive expression and visual enquiry, experimenting with ideas generation and establishing new ways of looking and thinking.

You are introduced to key art, design, architectural and cultural histories that are central to studying a creative subject. You explore a range of contexts and influences including art historical, ecological, critical theory, industrial, technological change, social and political movements, examining the changing face of art and design and informing your future research.

We live in a visual culture. This modules explores how we see and take meaning from images across a range of media platforms including television, cinema, the press and the visual arts.

You combine theory and practice to examine the challenges facing contemporary societies, and undertake small-scale projects that explore social, political and ecological changes around us. You develop the aims and forms in negotiation with module tutors. The outcome could be a collaborative project that explores the process of making work in a wider context such as: shopping centres, schools, outdoor parks, and other social settings.

Develop your understanding of building a career in the creative industries through key skills in creative leadership, collaborative entrepreneurship and sustainability.

As an image maker, you are asked to respond to fast-paced briefs exploring the diversity of illustration. You develop your creative thinking and interpretation alongside your understanding of concept, audience and ethnographic research. You are introduced to the commercial application of illustration and encouraged to develop a body of work that opens you up to the world of work with a range of clients. You further develop your creative voice and style.

Further investigate a range of contemporary social, environmental, technological and ethical issues to inform all types of art and design practice. You broaden your understanding of creativity as a practice-based form of contemporary social discourse and explore a variety of issues through the development, production and presentation of potential future scenarios.

The illustrator is a storyteller. You are introduced to sequence, visual clues, colour, composition, texture and the character – a world where visual clues accompany, enhance or replace text. From roughs to scamps, storyboarding to the dummy book, and sketches to creating other worlds, you are taken though the journey of what it means to be a narrative illustrator in the wonderful world of publishing. From children's books to an adult audience, you are presented with a variety of creative briefs.

You discuss the evolving industry of illustration with further conversation around self-promotion, clients, social media and agencies. You are invited to create a self-initiated project in the form of effective and influential self-promotion. You can involve radical interventions, new media, experimental practices or traditional mediums for the world to see. You consider innovative marketing and advertising, viral marketing, the manifesto and DIY techniques. Nothing is too big or small in your project.

You undertake one or more competition projects or fulfil a live project brief, producing graphic or illustrative work that will influence the direction of your portfolio and be meaningful to prospective employers and/or clients.

Who are you? This is the central question to this module where you create your own personal branding, digital presence and website, supported by tutors with industrial experience.

This project is the finale – it’s your major project that highlights all of the expertise, skills, design thinking and innovation you have built up as a soon-to-be illustration graduate. You propose and develop a project alongside a 5,000-word accompanying critical essay, and you present the final work in a professional and industry-ready standard.

The aims of this module are for students to be given an opportunity to tailor part of their level 5 studies to their own interests and motivations. A key aim is to stimulate intrinsic motivation and encourage autonomous learning, and critical discussion with peers and the tutor. Developing the skills necessary to identify and engage with literature in a critical way, in the process and develop research skills. From this module, further links to research modules in level 6 will be made.

Students will negotiate with the module leader, a choice of topic for a manageable project and submit a plan (ICA). It is foreseen that the topics chosen will be from a range of subjects within the field of education. The students will carry out a narrative review of literature and link theory to contemporary themes and occurrences in education. Using a project diary, the students will record their progress. The process and the products of their learning will then be reflected upon in a report (ECA).Negotiation will also take into account the non-duplication of existing modules and focus students on deepening their knowledge on their chosen topics. They will be given initial inputs on searching texts, project management and current issues in education.