Children's Book Illustration MA

Core modules

• Observation and Experiment

  This module constitutes a foundation for the course. Focusing on drawing, you'll propose and execute a thematic drawing project exploring a subject through observation and imagination. Your visual work will not need to be consciously aimed at an audience of a particular age group. This reflects the course ethos of the importance of developing a visual language as an artist rather than pursuing preconceived notions of stylistic appropriateness. You will also attend a supporting lecture programme.

• The Sequential Image

  This module invites you to make sequential visual statements around individually proposed themes. You are encouraged to experiment with media and approaches, and to make use of relevant resources, both digital and traditional. You will pursue studio practice within an ongoing dialogue around the nature of sequential visual communication. This takes place through individual tutorial discussions, presentations, seminars/critiques and contextual lectures. You will present a written proposal for a visual sequence that may be narrative or thematic in nature, fiction or non-fiction. This does not necessarily need to be aimed at an audience of a specific age group at this stage. Issues of visual pace in sequence will be introduced and discussed in a dialogue around your and other students' developing work. A series of contextual lectures will support this studio dialogue. Your assessment will be based primarily on the visual outcomes along with a short essay.

• The Diploma Project

  You will propose and negotiate a completed visual statement designed to communicate with a child audience of a stated age group. Projects can vary greatly and may include, for example, picture books, animated films, series of posters, portfolio of illustrations to fiction or non-fiction texts for older children.

• The Diploma Review

  As the major written element of this course, you will propose and negotiate a 6,000-word essay that places your own visual practice in the historical and contemporary context of the discipline. You will reflect on your practice exploring personal influences and aspects of the 'industry' that are of particular interest, historically or theoretically. The purpose of this module, and its supporting lectures, is to bring a more informed and reflective aspect to your personal creative practice.

• Master's Project: Art and Design

  The Masters Project represents the culmination of your learning on the programme, giving you the opportunity to develop and resolve a major area of enquiry. This is a self-directed visual project negotiated with the staff team and peers. You'll need to negotiate, manage, co-ordinate and bring to successful conclusion a complex, practice-based project within your field of art, media or design. You'll start by formally presenting your research proposal to staff and peers, and will be expected to build on your previous modules to identify a complex area for investigation and enquiry, as well as research methods appropriate to the project. Following negotiation with staff, peers and, where appropriate, outside agencies, you'll then submit a written research proposal. Your project may involve external engagement alongside a personal exploration of themes and concepts in your specialist field. You'll need to show your ability to innovate, think strategically and be sensitive to changing cultural and social climates. You'll be assessed by portfolio (a body of work comprising a written project proposal, and developmental and final visual work) and a 1200-word reflective commentary. This commentary will specifically outline the methodological and ethical considerations relevant to your portfolio work, and evaluate your final visual work.