Illustration as a major form of visual communication in contemporary society provides hundreds of career choices and creative avenues that utilize the skills students acquire in our program. The illustration program is structured to challenge, strengthen, and enhance their abilities to respond to changing markets, to interpret themes and ideas, and to create images both interesting and insightful.

The program is arranged to give students training incrementally—beginning with an understanding of basic image-making skills. Courses such as drawing, figure drawing, and two-dimensional design encourage understanding and clarity of fundamental concepts of line, form, color, space, value, and shape. Competency in these areas is rigorously tested through stimulating and challenging projects, peer-to-peer competition and student/teacher evaluations.

After completing the studio arts core classes, students then apply to the program by submitting a portfolio of work to the admissions committee for review. After admission into the program, students are granted access to a greater variety of classes, and through lecture, demonstration, and experimentation, they engage in more in-depth explorations of the medium, including digital technology, photography, typography, graphic design, and other upper-division drawing courses.