Some Facts Involving Illustration Degrees

Students looking for a field of study that is fun, exciting, and rewarding should consider a degree in illustration.

Through online or traditional classes, pursuing a degree in illustration can be exciting and rewarding. For those who are creative and have a knack for painting or drawing, there are a plethora of options as there are hundreds of schools all over the country offering illustration degrees.

Many of these schools plan field trips to some of the nation's top art museums and exhibits. Students often have the option of studying abroad in places such as France and Italy, two European countries known for art. Illustration students also get to draw and paint interesting subjects such as nude models, beautiful landscapes, and gorgeous skylines.

Coursework

Students wishing to pursue an Associate Degree in illustration are typically required to complete 60 hours of coursework, most including classes such as figure drawing, digital illustration, and the history of arts. However, those studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree need to take somewhere between 120 and 140 credit hours with at least 50 being illustration related. Some courses could include contemporary art, three- dimensional design, and methods of illustration.

For students who are really motivated in the field, there are Master's degrees in illustration as well. Students would generally enroll in a Master's of Fine Arts program where they would be encouraged to find their own artistic voice and style.

Popular jobs graduates can pursue include cartoonists, character designers, digital illustrators, and book cover designers.