Illustration Degrees

Overview

Illustration may be defined as a representation of facts in terms of visual images, painting, photograph and other visual media. If you are keen in pursuing a rewarding career in the world of advertising or designs, you can opt for an illustration degree. This degree takes you through the basics of the specialized media such as magazines, children's books, advertisements, and graphics. The role of the illustrators is to give life to a character of a particular story, display examples as described in an academic textbook, communicate the thematic tone of the narrative, brand the product in an appealing manner by understanding the ideas of human expression and individuality. In recent times, the illustrators often work with graphics and web designers.

You can obtain an illustration degree at various levels such as at the associate's, bachelor's, and master's level. Certifications in illustrations are also offered by certain colleges. The average duration of a bachelor's degree course in illustration is 180 hours. The curriculum of these degrees include introduction to illustration, drawing and design courses, illustration materials and techniques, electronic illustration, survey of illustration, advertising illustration, children's books illustration, fashion illustration, interpretation, introduction to the Adobe Photoshop software and the Adobe illustrator.

Benefits

Illustration is one of the high ranking professions and is ranked at the fourth place in the top 15 highest paid professions. According to the U.S. Bureau of labor statistics, illustrators earn a salary compensation of $48,000 per annum on an average. Likewise, you also have the choice of either taking up full-time employment or a freelancing job. Job opportunities are also available in varied fields such as book publishing, magazines and newspaper publishing, education, greeting cards industry, film making, computer gaming, website designing, and cell phone industry. You can also set up your own studio after some years of experience and accomplish your desire in business.

Costs

Depending on the length of the program and the college that you have opted for, you may have to shell out as much as $29,000 towards the tuition fee alone in order to pursue a bachelor's degree in illustration. While for an associate's degree, you can expect to pay a tuition fee of about $5,000. The food, lodging, and transportation may all result in additional expenditures. A scholarship, or funding from your college, can bring down the financial burden to a large extent.

Schools

There are many colleges in the United States which offer illustration degrees. There are also some colleges which provide online certification degrees too. The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Savanna College of Art and Design, and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design are some of the colleges which offer a bachelor's degree in illustration.

Testing & Preparation

While pursuing an illustration degree, you are expected to have a good academic score in your high school or graduation. Colleges generally expect their students to submit the respective completed certificates. You may be required to take up the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). If you happen to be an international student, then you will also be required to produce your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. All the tests scores must have been taken as close as possible to the admission period. Once you have all the qualified tests, you might have to attend a personal interview with the college selection committee.

You can also prepare a portfolio of all the artwork that you have done, which can be an added advantage. Attending crash courses, workshops, and seminars related to illustration might also help you develop a better idea about the full-time degree course.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is usually available in the form of a scholarship, grant, or loan. Federal Student Aid and USA Funds provide financial aid and scholarships for deserving students. You can also apply for loans from private companies such as Sallie Mae. A part-time job can also help you fund your educational expenses.