Illustration MA

The University of Edinburgh

Postgraduate study in illustration reflects the diversity of the subject and the opportunities that exist in areas such as publishing, advertising, graphic and web design, theatre, television, art galleries and museums.

Who is this for?

We welcome applicants with a variety of approaches to Illustration, from both academic and professional backgrounds. Students will be encouraged to explore various forms of practice, with support from accomplished and respected staff. All staff have understanding, professional experience and skills in this field of art & design.

Facilities

Facilities include excellent individual working spaces. There is access to a drawing studio and extensive printmaking resources, as well as other workshops in the ECA campus and wider University. There are life drawing classes, book-arts workshops and field trips.

Collaborations

The programme also includes working with writers, designers and publishers in collaboration and in live briefs. Many of our postgraduates have their work published and a number of set projects evolve from year to year. These reflect contemporary developments in illustration and the graphic arts. For example, students have made work for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh Filmhouse and the ECA Bookmarks symposium.

Much work in the studios is concerned with storytelling, documenting current events, fiction and non-fiction, visual complements to literature, and authorial illustration. You will be encouraged to take part in national and international competitions, with the aim of joining the ranks of those who have exhibited and won prizes in events such as the V&A Student Illustration Awards, AOI, Image Nation, Folio Society, Penguin Book Awards, 3x3, Batsford and D&AD briefs.