Illustration Curriculum | Advanced Professional Certificate | BFA

The comprehensive Illustration curriculum stresses drawing skills as the basis for communicating ideas, and as the foundation for all illustration techniques. These courses help you develop as a visual thinker with a distinctive personal style. Our nationally recognized faculty includes a diverse group of professional illustrators who work closely with you to help you gain technical abilities and learn both core concepts and advanced techniques. In addition to traditional drawing studios, we offer a state-of-the-art computer lab for illustration work.

Advanced Professional Certificate in Illustration

Illustration BFA

Please note: The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University reserves the right to unilaterally add, withdraw, or revise any course offering in the above-mentioned program of study, including policies, provisions, requirements, and fees. Current students may visit the Academic Advising Office to obtain the official program requirement sheet that corresponds with their year of enrollment. 

IILLU 2100

Anatomy & Figure Drawing
3 credits
A thorough study of the human skeletal and muscular systems. Through lectures and drawings from the figure, skeleton, and imagination, students explore the complex issues of figure composition. Prerequisite: IFNDN 1615 or IFNDN 1620.

IILLU 2130

Sequential Projects
1.5 credits
An introductory projects course to working sequentially that includes the basics of illustrating for different book formats, as well as exposure to excellent examples. Students interpret a selected story or narrative in order to develop an idea into a series of images. Prerequisite: IILLU 2300.

IILLU 2221

Drawing for Illustration
1.5 credits
Illustration is primarily a figurative genre that expresses narrative storytelling and conceptual themes. This class will focus on the basic structure in drawing, linear perspective, light and shade techniques, composition in illustration, and indirect picture making using reference. Students are required to demonstrate a firm grasp of the fundamental principles in drawing both directly and indirectly. We will practice drawing character designs, caricature creations, environmental landscape drawing, and other pre-production drawing techniques. On site drawing, museum visits, and drawing from life with be presented to strengthen the visual vocabulary of each student. Homework assignments will be given to apply each theory discussed or used in class. Prerequisite: IFNDN 1615 or IFNDN 1620.

IILLU 2225

Web Promotion
1.5 credits
Students learn the nuts and bolts of web design to create a site that represents their work online and to expand their understanding of web promotion. Students enrolled in this course may work as interns on the AIB Illustration/Animation blog. Prerequisite: IFNDN 1110, IFNDN 1120, or IFNDN 1581.

IILLU 2230

Mixed Media Drawing
1.5 credits
Drawing can be done with numerous tools and in many different mediums. This course explores the wide range of drawing styles through different centuries and cultures by practicing many of them in class. Natural, personal drawing vocabulary and calligraphy styles are stressed. Prerequisite: IFNDN 1615 or IFNDN 1620.

IILLU 2240

Character Design Drawing
1.5 credits
In a fast growing gaming and computer animation market, the ability to create characters is essential. This course delves into the field, including the creation of characters for the editorial and children's book markets. The works of prominent character artists are widely explored. Prerequisite: IILLU 2100.

IILLU 2250

Life Drawing
1.5 credits
Illustration is still primarily a figurative medium in which to communicate ideas and concepts. This is a good old fashion figure drawing class where progress occurs through tackling problems with proportion, anatomy, line, and volume in order to freely interpret the figure. Prerequisite: IFNDN 1615 or IFNDN 1620.

IILLU 2300

Principles of Illustration
3 credits
A beginning class in the working process of creating illustration, from interpreting written material to creating thumbnails, roughs, sketches, and comps. Each student assembles a portfolio of step-by-step approaches to solving a wide variety of illustration assignments. There is an emphasis on drawing, conceptual development, and working with art direction. Prerequisite: IFNDN 1615 or IFNDN 1620.

IILLU 2420

Techniques I - Color & Composition
3 credits
An experiential techniques course that utilizes painting mediums to teach color mixing and color theory. Pictorial composition is also explored through excellent examples from, but not limited to, photography, filmmaking, painting, and drawing. This class uses both color and composition as a means to promote and strengthen illustration ideas. Prerequisite: IFNDN 1615 or IFNDN 1620.

IILLU 2430

Techniques II - Demos
3 credits
This course builds on Techniques 1, utilizing demonstration and practice to integrate, expose, and expand the student to a wide variety of indirect painting techniques. Prerequisite: IILLU 2420.

IILLU 3130

Boston Sketchbook
1.5 credits
An illustrator can be a roving reporter with a pencil and a pad and be called a sketching journalist. That is exactly what this class is about, with Boston as the field! Going on site to document the happenings in the Boston Metro area offers a unique perspective of the people, the buildings, and the surroundings. Prerequisite: IFNDN 1615 or IFNDN 1620.

IILLU 3140

Natural History Drawing
1.5 credits
This course combines the love of biological, botanical, and ecological surveys in drawing. Trips to museums and gardens throughout New England challenge students' perceptions about how to include nature in illustrations. Light research is required. Prerequisite: IFNDN 1615 or IFNDN 1620.

IILLU 3170

Op-Ed Projects
1.5 credits
This course introduces students to the world of powerful political and issue-oriented illustration. Students are challenged to make engaging artwork that conveys a strong point of view using provocative issues from current events. The history of political art provides an inspiring foundation to build upon. Prerequisite: IILLU 2300.

IILLU 3180

Junior Studio
1.5 credits
This course is the first of three directed toward construction of a professional portfolio and culminating in Senior Jury. Faculty will help students broaden their awareness of the illustration field and their unique place in it. Students will complete assignments in self-promotion and three dimensional design and a series of self-initiated projects constructed to help them develop their individual interests as illustrators. Prerequisite: IILLUL 2130 and IILLU 2430.

IILLU 3210

Digital Illustration: Painter
3 credits
An introduction to the use of Corel Painter as an illustration tool. Students explore the use of a variety of exciting, cutting-edge media tools, including filters, masks, floating objects, and animation, as they create illustrations based on actual jobs for print and multi-media. Prerequisite: IILLU 2910.

IILLU 3500

Painting for Illustration
3 credits
The subject of this course is painting as a process and medium for creating finished illustrations. The focus is the use of the medium and varied sources of reference to produce cohesive, articulate, and compelling illustrations. Exploration, experimentation, and the development of personal style are encouraged. Prerequisite: IILLU 2430, Book Illustration.

IILLU 3610

Comic Book and Storyboard
3 credits
The comic book is an art form that knows no age or social boundaries; it is a feature of popular culture that is present from museum walls to the newsstand. Through historical perspectives and assignments, students explore this visual, narrative art. Issues of content, plot, character development, sequential narrative, and design are addressed. Techniques for creating compelling storyboards for a variety of outlets are also covered. Prerequisite: IILLU 2100 or IILLU 2300.

IILLU 3710

Book Illustration
3 credits
An advanced course dealing with all aspects of illustration for children's and other picture books. Through assignments based on actual jobs, students gain practical experience in various stages of book illustration, from initial conceptualization and manuscript interpretation to presentation and production techniques used in publishing today. Prerequisite: IILLU 2430.

IILLU 3900

Experimental Illustration
1.5 credits
The focus of this course is on risk-taking, discovery, and response as it relates to creating an image without tightly prescribed results. These goals are pursued through the exploration of a variety of media, such as gouache, acrylic, mixed media, 3D, and transfer techniques. An atmosphere of artful play and serendipity is promoted, which is then capitalized on by controlled experimentation. Prerequisite: IFNDN 1615 or IFNDN 1640.

IILLU 4100

Drawing Images in a Series
3 credits
The primary objective in this class is story telling with visual images in a sequential pattern. The industry standards of storyboards, graphic novels, comic book funnies, directing manuals, and picture books are explored. In addition to image sequencing, basic drawing elements are reviewed by creating multi-figured compositions and narratives as examples. Prerequisite: IILLU 2100.

IILLU 4200

Digital Illustration: Photoshop
3 credits
An advanced course in which students create and manipulate illustrations in Adobe Photoshop and texture programs. Creative projects involve scanning drawings in the Macintosh for further manipulation with Photoshop tools, filters, layers, and color adjustments. The focus is on using Photoshop as a very powerful and versatile painting medium. Prerequisite: IILLU 2910.

IILLU 4230

Advanced Computer Illustration
3 credits
An exploration into the meshing of numerous computer programs to create individual approaches for the creation of unique 2D digital illustration. The student gains a deeper knowledge of the programs and the process of creating digital art. Among the programs addressed are Adobe Photoshop; Adobe Illustrator; Corel Painter; Corel KPT 3, 5, 6; Texture Creator; and Curious Labs Poser. This is an advanced level course with an expectation that students have a firm grasp of Photoshop as a painting medium. Prerequisite: IILLU 2910, IFNDN 1110, IFNDN 1120, or IFNDN 1581.

IILLU 4310

Portfolio for Illustration
3 credits
A course designed to help students critically evaluate and refine their portfolios in preparation for graduation. In addition to revising existing work, students are assigned individual projects to augment their presentations. The course covers all aspects of presenting a portfolio and oneself to a potential client. Portfolios are presented to a senior jury composed of area professionals at the close of the semester. Senior illustration students: Portfolio is taken only in the last semester prior to graduation. Prerequisite: IILLU 4315 or permission of instructor.

IILLU 4315

Senior Studio
3 credits
In these two classes, students develop self-initiated projects under strong faculty guidance. On completion of their projects, each student gives a PowerPoint presentation to the Illustration Department (students and faculty). The purpose of these classes is to encourage a strong sense of self-motivation and personal vision. Prerequisite: IILLU 2430 or IILLU 3430.

IILLU 4500

The Business of Illustration
1.5 credits
Through lectures and exercises, actual work search and personal promotions, students will gain an understanding of common business practices in their field, including pricing their work, estimating projects, and drawing up contracts. They will also develop a prospective self-authored commercial project, which will demonstrate their ability to create income-producing artwork. Prerequisite: IILLU 2430 or IILLU 3430.

IILLU 4720

Book Cover Illustration
3 credits
This course explores the development of unique and effective book cover and poster illustration from concept through final art. Students will produce covers and posters of portfolio quality in medium appropriate to concept and market. Prerequisite: IILLU 2430.

IILLU 4730

Open Picture Book
3 credits
The book is a unique and personal form of communication conveyed in a wide range of formats. Lavishly illustrated books where image dominates text can be found in virtually every section of a bookstore, including children's, travel, cooking, nature, and documentary. This course examines the genre of the "picture book." A topic is chosen by each student, who then creates a series of finished images for a proposed picture book presented at the end of the semester. Areas of exploration include a variety of book formats. Emphasis is on personal style, expression, and craftsmanship. Prerequisite: IILLU 3710.

IILLU 4760

Advanced Painting for Illustration
3 credits
This advanced level illustration course is designed for students who are interested in further exploring their chosen painting medium. Students will complete assignments during the term to focus on their painting skills while developing the conceptual basis of their portfolios. Classroom discussions will address current illustration trends, painting styles, and the effect of digital media for assignments versus traditional mediums. Prerequisites: IILLU 3500.

IILLU 4822

Obsessions & Phobias
3 credits
In this advanced editorial illustration course, students explore, through a series of illustrations, the personal and social characteristics and implications of obsessions and phobias. Students are required to research their topics and keep a detailed sketchbook. Concept formulation, personal expression, and experimentation are emphasized. Prerequisite: IILLU 2430.

IILLU 4823

Sci-Fi and Fantasy
3 credits
An advanced course introducing students to the genre of science fiction and fantasy illustration. The focus of this course is on the concepts, techniques, and referencing tools that enable the artist to transform imaginative people, characters, and environments into illusions of reality. Emphasis is on painting. Prerequisite: IILLLU 3500.

IILLU 4880

Illustration Internship
Variable credit
Through the internship program, illustration majors have the opportunity to work in a professional or community service setting while gaining important on-the-job and in-the-world experience. Internships provide exposure to a wide range of professional art environments, including, but not limited to, illustration studios, publishing, or media-based companies as well as community projects based in the U.S. and abroad. The department will post opportunities, or students may make arrangements on their own with prior approval from the chairperson of the department. (3 =180 hours of work.)

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