Illustration, Grades 9-12

Course Description

Students learn the fundamentals of analog and digital Illustration in this design studio. Illustrators create images and designs in a range of media to visually communicate art and design concepts, craft narratives, and express a point of view. In this course, students hone their drawing and imaging skills and style as they learn and apply the principles of illustrative art, including concept, narrative, character, setting, stylization, composition, and design layout. Students are introduced to the types of projects contemporary illustrators work on in various media and formats, including comics and graphic novels, animation shorts, character products, branding and advertising, and product packaging. Digital tools, including the Adobe Creative Cloud, are introduced.

Course Notes: Students may use Adobe Creative Cloud (subscription not included) or free/inexpensive graphic design apps (to be suggested in class) for assigned projects that incorporate a digital component. Class time structured around digital instruction will take place in a university computer lab.

Learner Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of the hands-on studio environment and practice by participating in activities including lectures, demos, and discussions; individual and collaborative exercises and projects; and self and peer critiques
• Gain a fundamental understanding of the practice and application of primary and secondary research and its impact on creative and technical processes, including themes derived from observing and interpreting world events, social issues, and personal experiences
• Demonstrate an understanding of the iterative creative process by maintaining analog and/or digital journals to document the creative process
• Demonstrate a foundational understanding of analog and digital illustrative art mediums, styles, and techniques to visually communicate concepts and themes, craft narratives, and express various points of view
• Gain an elementary understanding of the relationship of illustrative art to graphic design through the exploration of typography, image, color, composition, and the organization of information
• Explore fluidity in working between analog and digital drawing and imaging media and formats
• Acquire fundamental skills to create and curate a cohesive body of design work that supports a visual narrative expressive of an individual and evolving design identity.

Additional Information

This course is one offering from our Parsons Academy program, which runs for 11 Saturdays in the Fall and Spring semesters, and for 2 weeks in the Summer semester. For more information on schedule, registration, and refund policies, review each linked program page.