Studying Illustration: Degrees at a Glance
A degree in illustration can prepare you for a career as a book illustrator, comic illustrator, cartoonist or fine artist. Additionally, some programs in illustration will be offered in combination with graphic design concepts, which can prepare you to become a graphic designer. A bachelor's degree is the standard level of education for graphic designers, but other artists and illustrators are typically judged primarily on the quality of their work as opposed to their degree level. A master's degree is not commonly necessary to secure employment as an illustrator, but it can help you develop your skills and build your portfolio. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the area of fine arts might be necessary if you want to teach illustration at the postsecondary level.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), fine artists should experience a five percent employment increase from 2010-2020. During that time, employment of graphic designers is predicted to increase by 13%, while employment of all postsecondary professors should increase by 17%.
| Master's | Doctorate | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | Individuals who want to research illustration in-depth and develop their portfolios | Those looking to teach illustration at the postsecondary level |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate mean annual salary) | - Independent illustrator ($50,000*) - Illustrator in motion picture and video industry ($66,000*) - Illustrator in newspaper and book industry ($54,000*) - Graphic designer ($49,000*) - Medical illustrator (salary unavailable) | - Postsecondary art teacher ($73,000*) |
| Time to Completion | 2-5 years, or about 60 credits | 5-7 years |
| Common Graduation Requirements | - Thesis project - Studio sessions | - Research-based courses - Possible residency requirement - Comprehensive examination - Dissertation - Foreign language requirement |
| Prerequisites | - Undergraduate degree - Portfolio submission - Resume - Letters of recommendation | - Bachelor's and/or master's degree - Letters of recommendation - Possible writing sample |
| Online Availability | No | Rarely |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures)
Master's in Illustration
You can study illustration at the graduate level through a Master of Fine Arts or Master of Arts in Illustration. Many universities also offer master's degree programs in fine arts that provide illustration courses. These programs are typically designed for students who already have either an undergraduate degree in an artistic field or professional work experience. They should build upon your previous artistic knowledge to help you further your skills and develop your own creative voice. You should learn advanced methods of illustration while also studying art history, criticism and digital design. You will likely complete studio sessions and may be required to submit a thesis. Some programs allow you to specialize in a particular type of illustration, such as medical illustration or digital illustration.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- A master's degree program can provide you with time to develop your talent, display your work and network with professionals.
- Studying digital illustration should increase your potential for employment in the coming decade.
- In 2010, more than half of all multimedia artists and animators were able to be self-employed.*
Cons
- Most visual arts professions do not necessitate a graduate degree.
- Employment of fine artists in general is predicted to have slower-than-average growth over the next decade.*
- Competition for artistic jobs is often fierce.
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Courses and Requirements
Most universities and colleges offering graduate degree programs in illustration will require you to complete courses in art history while also undertaking studio sessions and thesis work. Some common courses include:
- History of illustration
- Illustrating characters
- Studio session: illustration
- Visual thesis
- Illustration in film
- Art and narrative form
- Conceptual communication
Online Degree Options
No accredited, not-for-profit schools offer graduate degree programs in illustration online. As of November 2012, the best way to become educated in illustration at the graduate level is to attend a program on campus. This is due in part to the hands-on nature of these programs. Master's degree programs in illustration often require you to attend studio sessions and build your portfolio in an on-campus workspace.
Stand Out with This Degree
One way to get the most out of your degree program is to attend a school that offers you access to professional illustrators. Some colleges have illustrators teaching courses or running studio sessions, while others bring in guest lecturers. Through some programs, you will also have access to particular animation or illustration careers. For example, some schools help you to build contacts in the children's publishing industry, while others might give you access to movie animators. You will also want to spend your time developing your own portfolio of work so that you might better land a job upon graduation. According to the BLS, illustrators who study digital technology in the field will have better chances of securing employment in a competitive environment.
PhD in Illustration
Few solely studio-based illustration degree programs are available at the doctoral level. Most PhD programs in visual arts or fine arts are typically devoted to the in-depth study of art theory, art history and art culture. These programs can prepare you to teach fine arts - including illustration - at the postsecondary level. You will often be allowed to choose a major or concentration on which to focus, and you will be required to complete a dissertation. Some universities do allow you to continue to create studio work in addition to completing theory-based courses and a dissertation.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- A PhD program can provide you with the academic background necessary to teach at the collegiate level.
- The need for postsecondary teachers is on the rise as more and more students are expected to attend college between 2010 and 2020.*
- Earning tenure can provide you with job stability.
Cons
- PhD programs are not often designed to further your illustration skills.
- You will likely face strong competition for tenure-track teaching positions.
- Professorial positions in the humanities, including those in the arts, will be harder to come by than for other specialties, such as engineering.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Courses and Requirements
Although your specific courses might vary based on your chosen area of study, you will likely take core courses covering research and art culture. Coursework at the doctoral level is commonly combined with research and the development of a doctoral dissertation. Some examples of courses you might take include:
- Qualitative research
- Research in the arts
- Methods and theory in art history
- Educational research
- Art and culture studies
Online Degree Options
Accredited universities rarely offer doctoral programs in fine arts or visual arts online. You may, however, take part in a low-residency PhD program that consists of night and weekend classes. As of November 2012, on-campus programs might be your best opportunity to study illustration at the doctoral level.
Stand Out with This Degree
According to the BLS, you will likely need to keep up with scholarly articles and attend conferences in order to stay abreast of topics in your field. Any articles you are able to get published will also set you apart from your peers in academia. You may also want to enroll in a PhD program that includes a teaching assistant or graduate teaching assistant component so that you can gain hands-on training in teaching at the collegiate level.
