Illustration (BA)

BA Illustration at Winchester School of Art explores how illustration communicates ideas, stories and research through visual language. This studio-based course encourages you to develop your own experimental approach with a range of techniques across the discipline.

Drawing is a core part of the programme. You'll use it as a tool for investigation, communication and culturally aware practice while developing your own approach to visual storytelling.

Working in our specialist studios, you'll use both traditional materials and digital tools to explore image-based storytelling. Through hands-on practice you'll combine tactile, physical methods with contemporary digital processes as you develop your skills as an illustrator.

Graduate industry-ready

As technology continues to reshape the illustration industry, there is growing demand for practitioners who can adapt, think critically and work responsibly across cultures and platforms.

This course prepares you for that changing landscape. You'll have opportunities to:

• use drawing as a tool for investigation, idea generation and community-based research
• explore illustration across print, digital, animation, product and hybrid media
• work on live briefs and partnership projects focused on ethical and culturally aware outcomes
• build a portfolio that reflects research, community engagement and professional practice
• engage critically with emerging technologies such as generative AI
• network with industry professionals and your peers
• progress to postgraduate study or research

How you'll learn

During this 3 year course you'll progressively develop your technical skills, research methods and professional practice through studio-based practice at Winchester School of Art.

You'll experiment with different media, challenge conventions and develop your own approach to visual storytelling.

In your first year you'll build core drawing and storytelling skills while experimenting with a range of materials and techniques. In your second year, you'll expand your skills through more complex projects, specialist workshops and industry-focused briefs. In your final year you'll develop an independent body of work and professional portfolio, exploring how illustration responds to contemporary issues while engaging critically with emerging technologies.

You'll work across both physical and digital platforms while receiving regular feedback to refine your ideas and strengthen your process.

Alongside studio practice you'll take part in:

• workshops
• lectures
• seminars
• critiques
• 1-to-1 tutorials

Assessment is portfolio-based and includes research, development work, practical outcomes and reflective writing.

Your projects and portfolio

You'll develop your portfolio through studio projects, live briefs and collaborative work that reflect professional illustration practice.

Projects focus on ethical communication and community engagement, exploring how illustration can create impact in different contexts. You may work with live archive material, respond to real-world contexts and collaborate across disciplines at Winchester School of Art, building experience in teamwork and creative collaboration.

You'll explore how audiences engage with illustration beyond the page, including sequential work, digital outputs and audio-led approaches.

In your final year, you'll refine your work through external and competition briefs in preparation for professional and academic context.