Illustration FdA
- Level(s) of Study: Foundation degree / Undergraduate
- Typical Offer: 64 UCAS tariff points
- UCAS Code(s): W223
- Start Date(s): September
- Duration: Two years, full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Confetti Nottingham
Introduction:
In just two years, our Illustration foundation degree will transform you into a skilled illustrator and dynamic visual communicator. Learn from expert tutors, collaborate on real-world projects with industry partners, and master diverse Illustration styles and techniques.
Equip yourself with the technical and creative tools to unleash your artistic vision, to become part of the global and ever-evolving illustration industry.
This Illustration foundation degree aims to create ambitious graduates who are equipped with the relevant skillset for entry into the illustration industry by ensuring the industry’s voice is embedded at the heart of the curriculum.
Therefore employability is an integral element of the course and you will be trained on the latest industry-standard software and hardware combined with ample opportunities throughout the programme to undertake appropriate work-based learning
This course is taught at Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies in Nottingham.
What you’ll study
This foundation degree serves as an entry point into the world of illustration, providing students with foundational knowledge and practical skills to express ideas visually.
Exploring Illustration I (40 credit points)
In Exploring Illustration 1 you will explore and experiment with the fundamentals of illustration. You will learn how to successfully communicate through drawing, colour, line, and typography through using a wide range of techniques and materials, both digital and analogue.
The module puts an emphasis on ideation and creative processes, inviting you to reflect on your own practices through exploring the work of contemporary illustrators and fostering experimentation and playful approaches to the production of your own illustrations.
The History of Illustration (20 credit points)
This module supports the practical and skill-based modules through deepening your understanding of the key principles that have shaped the theory of illustration and explores the development of visual culture.
This module emphasises the pivotal role of illustration in communicating and challenging ideas, with a focus on visual storytelling and the relationship between text and images. By undertaking this module you become equipped with a theoretical appreciation of illustration which in turn supports the development of your own creative and illustrative practice.
Visual Storytelling (40 credit points)
Visual storytelling is a powerful form of communication that transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries. In this module, through a blend of theory and hands-on practice, you will learn to harness the visual medium to convey compelling narratives, emotions, and ideas.
You will explore the fundamental principles of storytelling and gain insights into how visuals can be used to engage, inform, and captivate your audience. The module will also dive into various storytelling techniques across different creative fields and you will have the opportunity to apply these techniques in your chosen discipline, ensuring that you can weave impactful narratives that resonate with your audience.
Exploring Industry (20 credit points)
This module will give you the opportunity to apply your acquired knowledge and skills to respond effectively to an illustrative based 'real' brief. Through practical tasks, discussions, and active engagement with different techniques and methods, you will demonstrate your creative journey and showcase how you apply your skills and understanding of the places and spaces of contemporary illustration to create visual outcomes that respond to the needs of 'real' briefs.
Innovative Techniques in Illustration (40 credit points)
This module will explore experimental and cutting-edge practices in contemporary illustration. This exploration will invite you to discuss evolving illustration practices while embracing innovative and unconventional approaches to image production.
The module provides you with opportunities for collaborative work and risk-taking to foster creativity and respond to a series of mini projects. It will also help you develop resilience and problem-solving skills by emphasising critical thinking and reflection.
Illustration Theory and Context (20 credit points)
This module delves into the history of illustration and the profound social and political impact illustration has had and continues to have today. From murals and protest signs to the digital realm, this module will examine how illustration serves as a powerful medium to communicate ideas and amplify voices.
An emphasis is placed on critical analysis and academic writing, enabling you to analyse and understand the broader context in which illustration plays a vital role in shaping and reflecting society's dynamics.
Final Major Project (40 credit points)
This module will encourage you to critically reflect on the concepts and ideas driving your creative practice whilst also encouraging you to explore a variety of materials, processes and platforms for your work.
In this module, you will complete a self-directed project to engage with the evolving landscape, spaces and places of illustration. Through the production of your own work you will be actively analysing and developing an understanding of the current challenges and emerging trends within contemporary illustrative practices.
Professional Practice (20 credit points)
In this module, you'll acquire the knowledge and skills essential for thriving in the ever-evolving creative industries. Delve into the dynamic landscape of this sector, gaining insights into the various roles and responsibilities specific to your discipline.
Explore the wide array of employment routes and opportunities within your area of expertise, and examine the nuances of freelance work. You will work on a live brief to help develop those crucial networking skills, equipping you for success in this vibrant field.
Additionally you will explore the impact of digitally networked cultures, creative portfolios , brand-building, sustainable digital business models and the impact of new technologies.
How you’re taught
At Confetti our classrooms are unique. As part of their course, our students get the chance to go out into industry and Do It For Real at locations across the UK!
Within individual modules the delivery of the material encourages increasing levels of skill development and student participation, ensuring that, as you progress through the course, you become a more confident and independent learner. We aim to include a range of methods of delivery that may include;
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Workshop
- Group tutorials
- Academic Tutorials
- Presentations and pitches
- Team working
- Independent learning
- Visiting industry professionals
All the modes of delivery are structured to develop on-going abilities and skills through exploring ideas and problem solving. The course will offer a broad range of assessment methods.
Assessment
A variety of formative and summative assessment methods will be employed throughout the course such as:
- presentations
- idea development
- research led projects
- live briefs
- essays
- reports
Each assessment undertaken for each module will enable you to develop specific skills required by a graphic designer.
To progress through the course you must achieve 120 credit points each year. Your final degree mark will be based on your final year work.
Industry Week
You'll also take part in Confetti’s annual Industry Week where you’ll be able to meet a range of professionals within your field of interest as well as other areas of the creative industries. Past guests have included the likes of surreal animator Cyriak, motion and facial capture artist Rebecca Leybourne (Kingsman, Star Wars and The Avengers) and Aardman Animations (Shaun the Sheep).
Check out our talks OnDemand here.
Degree Show
In your final year you will exhibit your work as part of Confetti's Degree Show. This event includes all final year students across Confetti's courses and is a great platform for you to showcase your work to key influencers across the creative industries.
How you’re assessed
- Year 1 coursework (100%).
- Year 2 coursework (100%).
Careers and employability
After finishing your foundation degree, you may decide to go straight into industry or top-up to a full honours degree.
If you achieve a Commendation or higher grade, you'll be able to progress onto the Level 6 (Final Year) of our popular BA (Hons) Illustration course.
For those completing their foundation degree with a Pass, you'll have the opportunity to progress onto Level 5 (Year Two) of the course.
Employability is a key focus of this course, with modules including initiatives such as live projects and the opportunity to exhibit your work, to help enhance your future career.
You can also move straight into your career, in areas which might include:
- Freelance illustration
- In-house illustration/design
- Education
- Animation
- Printmaking
- Project management
- Digital imaging
- Multi-media production
Connecting with industry
Industry professionals will visit the course to guest lecture and share their experiences. Live projects will help you to gain real experience of the industry, make contacts, and build your portfolio and CV.
Through the Confetti Media Group Head of Talent Development you will be offered a range of opportunities within the industry.
Work placement and internship opportunities
You will be actively encouraged and supported to undertake informal work experience and professional practice in addition to your studies.
Our teaching staff, including part-time lecturers who are professionally active, help and support students in directing them towards work placement and professional practice opportunities.
Campus and facilities
On this course, you'll study in our digital media hub - Confetti HQ - and have access to:
- Industry Spec Workstation PCs
- Bookable Green Screen studio space
- Motion capture studio
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Autodesk suite
Entry requirements
- 64 UCAS Tariff points; and
- GCSE - English and Maths Grade C / 4
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS tariff points attached to specific grades, including A levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
This course is not suitable for International applicants.
Fees and funding
Please see our applying and fees section.
Additional Costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
We advise you to budget between £50 - £250 for an external hard drive and appropriate art and design materials (sketch books, pencils etc.). Whilst you will be provided with storage for your work on the servers it is also good practice to back up your digital files to an external source.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
This course is not suitable for International applicants.
How to apply
Application for this course is through the UCAS application form.
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form.
Application deadline
This course starts in September and applications should be submitted by the UCAS deadline.
Applications received after this date will only be considered if places are still available, after all applications received by the deadline have been assessed.
Mature students
We welcome applications from mature students (over the age of 21) for this course. We will assess applicants of this nature on an individual basis.
If you are a mature student, you will still need to apply to us by UCAS form, but you don't necessarily need to meet our minimum entry requirements.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades,
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It's your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You've got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you're applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
This course is not suitable for International applicants.