for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art in Studio Art, Illustration Concentration

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The Illustration concentration provides students majoring in Studio Art with rigorous training in the necessary practical skills in drawing, painting, layout design, and visual storytelling; investigations of new business models and best practices within a collaborative and interdisciplinary industry; as well as a path to understanding themselves as makers in the creative process. 

Students in the School of Art and Design must complete the Campus General Education requirements. Some Art and Design courses will also apply toward the General Education requirements.

Students majoring in this degree program must complete the First Year Curriculum requirements before beginning other major requirements.

A portfolio review is required for admission to the School of Art and Design.

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art in Studio Art, Illustration Concentration

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A portfolio review is required for admission to the School of Art and Design.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 122 hours.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.  Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in Art and Design.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Composition I		4-6
Advanced Composition		3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)		6
fulfilled by ARTH 110 and ARTJ 301 or ARTJ 302
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)		6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)		6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)		3
fulfilled by ARTJ 301 or ARTJ 302
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)		3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course)		3
fulfilled by ARTH 110
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)		6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)		0-15

First Year Curriculum

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
FAA 101	Arts at Illinois	1
ARTF 101	Contemporary Issues in Art	2
ARTE 101	Art, Design, and Society	2
ARTH 110	Introduction to the History of Art and Visual Culture	3
ARTF 103	Design I	3
ARTF 105	Design II	3
Select one Drawing course:		3
ARTF 102	Observational Drawing
ARTF 104	Expressive Drawing
ARTF 106	Visualization Drawing
Total Hours		17

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art in Studio Art, Illustration Concentration

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Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
FAA 101	1	ARTE 101	2
ARTF 101	2	ARTF 105	3
ARTH 110	3	ARTS 245	3
ARTF 103	3	Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level)	4
ARTF ### (Drawing Category)	3	General Education course	3
Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level)	4
	16		15
Total Hours 31

Second Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
ARTS 251	3	ARTS 250	3
ARTD 222	3	Additional ARTS 200-level course	3
ARTH 200-400 level course	3	General Education course	3
General Education course	3	General Education course	3
General Education course	3	General Education course	3
	15		15
Total Hours 30

Third Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
ARTS 355	3	ARTS 392	3
ARTJ 301, 302, or ARTE 480	3	ARTS 352	3
ARTH 200-400 level course	3	ARTJ 301, 302, or ARTE 480	3
Additional ARTS 300- or 400-level course	3	Additional ARTS 300- or 400-level course	3
General Education course	3	General Education course	3
	15		15
Total Hours 30

Fourth Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
ARTS 465	3	ARTS 451	4
Additional ARTS 300- or 400-level course	3	Additional ARTS 300- or 400-level course	3
Additional ARTS 300- or 400-level course	3	Additional ARTS 300- or 400-level course	3
ARTH 200-400 level course	3	Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3	Free Elective course	3
	15		16
Total Hours 31

Total Hours: 122

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art in Studio Art, Illustration Concentration

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BFASA Studio Art:

Upon completion of BFASA curriculum:

1. Students will apply basic principles of multi-dimensional and multi-sensory communication across diverse mediums to achieve a desired aesthetic in their creative work.
2. Students will experiment with and critically analyze the expressive possibilities of various media and conceptual strategies, demonstrating engagement with emerging technologies and investigation of broader social questions and challenges.
3. Students will implement concepts of visual rhetoric and meaning making in the development of artworks that acknowledge and demonstrate empathy toward diverse social histories and lived experiences.
4. Students will develop and articulate a self-directed creative practice that synthesizes existing knowledge, personal perspectives, and collaborative opportunities to engage audiences in a variety of social and institutional settings.
5. Students will demonstrate adaptability for varying professional roles across artistic, cultural, and commercial contexts.

In addition, each concentration has discipline specific learning outcomes:

Illustration concentration:

1. Demonstrated competence and facility in drawing especially related to specific narrative or expressive problems.
2. Ability to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of form, space, and tone.
3. Understand various color strategies and applications in rendering, including the scientific, cultural, and emotional aspects of color.
4. Apply knowledge and skills in the use of basic tools, techniques, and processes sufficient to work from concept to finished product. This includes capabilities in fields such as painting, photography, typography, general design procedures, and digital/computer-aided design.
5. Ability to analyze a text to identify the primary visual elements and character designs in storytelling.
6. Demonstrate a narrative’s tone, rhythm, and intention in page and sequential formats.
7. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a visual strategies capacity to communicate it’s given intention.
8. Evaluate the use of art elements, design principles, and rendering methods in one’s work and the work of others.
9. Working knowledge of the history of illustration, including its origins in the fine arts, and its relationship to written communication.
10. An understanding of the commercial applications and basic business practices of illustration.

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art in Studio Art, Illustration Concentration

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School of Art & Design

School of Art & Design
Art & Design Faculty
Coordinator of Undergraduate Academic Affairs: Michael Foellmer
143 Art and Design Building, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 244-8462

College of Fine & Applied Arts

Fine & Applied Arts

Admissions

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
FAA Undergraduate Advising
Undergrad Admissions: admissions@illinois.edu