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BFA.ILLUS.120 - BFA: Illustration (120)

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Illustration Rhode Island School of Design UG

2024 - 2025 | Curriculum | 4-year program

In the first year of the program, sophomores focus on developing both creative intelligence and technical facility. Courses in illustrative problem solving help nurture original thinking and conceptual clarity, while classes in drawing and painting strengthen basic image-making skills. Juniors choose among a broad range of electives in both traditional and digital media, along with image formulation for specific professional applications. Professional internships and independent study projects are also encouraged.

Degree Requirements

FIRST-YEAR

FALL

WINTERSESSION

SPRING

See First-Year Program of Study

15

Studio Elective

3

See First-Year Program of Study

15

SOPHOMORE

FALL

WINTERSESSION

SPRING

ILLUS 2000 - Visual Thinking

3

Non-major Studio Elective or Liberal Arts

3

ILLUS 2004 - Visual Strategies

3

ILLUS 2012 - Drawing 1: Visualizing Space

3

ILLUS 2016 - Drawing 2: The Articulate Figure

3

ILLUS 2024 - Painting 1: Color Perception and Expression

3

ILLUS 2028 - Painting 2: Observation and Imagination

3

LAEL 1030 - History of Illustration or Liberal Arts

3

LAEL 1030 - History of Illustration or Liberal Arts

3

Liberal Arts

3

Total Credits

15

3

15

JUNIOR

FALL

WINTERSESSION

SPRING

Major Elective(s)

6

Liberal Arts

3

Major Elective(s)

6

Computer Literacy Requirement

3

Illustration Concepts

3

Non-major Studio Elective

3

Liberal Arts

6

Liberal Arts

3

Total Credits

15

3

15

SENIOR

FALL

WINTERSESSION

SPRING

Major Elective(s)

9

Non-major Studio Elective

3

ILLUS 4012 - Senior Portfolio

3

Non-major Studio Elective

3

Major Elective(s)

6

Liberal Arts

3

Liberal Arts

3

Total Credits

15

3

15

Total Program Credits: 120

Notes:

Sophomores will be registered by the Illustration Department in the required LAEL 1030 - History of Illustration in Fall or Spring. The History of Illustration partially fulfills the requirements for Liberal Arts Electives (LAEL).

Students must complete a Computer Literacy Requirement in order to graduate with a degree in Illustration. Students may choose from the following classes to fulfill the Computer Literacy Requirement. Please note not all courses are offered each year:

  • ILLUS 3300 - Merging Worlds

  • ILLUS 3304 - Introduction to Digital Illustration

  • ILLUS 3306 - Intermediate Digital Illustration+

  • ILLUS 3308 - Advanced Digital Painting+

  • ILLUS 3310 - Advanced Digital Projects

  • ILLUS 3316 - Type in Motion

  • ILLUS 3320 - Digital 3D for Illustrators

  • ILLUS 3328 - Character & Environ. Design for 3D Gaming

  • ILLUS 3342 - Virtual Reality Design for Palliative Care

  • ILLUS 3340 - Virtual Reality Design for Science

  • ILLUS 3346 - Augmented Design

  • ILLUS 3408 - Illustrator as Designer

  • ILLUS 3412 - Words, Images and Ideas (may count for either requirement but not both)

  • ILLUS 3590 - The Changing Narrative (may count for either requirement but not both)

  • ILLUS 3934 - A Beautiful Corner

  • ILLUS 4402 - WKSHP: Maya Basics*

  • ILLUS 4404 - WKSHP: Z-Brush Sculpting and Illustration*

  • ILLUS 4406 - WKSHP: Introduction to Game Engines*

*Must take three (3) 1-credit workshops to fulfill this requirement. Certain digital workshops in Graphic Design and Industrial Design may be combined with Illustration workshops to meet the Computer Literacy Requirement.

+ See course description for prerequisites

The Illustration Concepts requirement is fulfilled by taking one of these classes. Please note not all courses are offered each year:

  • ILLUS 3000 - Editorial Illustration

  • ILLUS 3004 - Contemporary Illustration

  • ILLUS 3012 - Style and Substance

  • ILLUS 3016 - New York, New York(er)

  • ILLUS 3026 - Stereotypes and Paradigms

  • ILLUS 3028 - Traditions, Trappings, Culture, Kitsch

  • ILLUS 3032 - XXXY

  • ILLUS 3036 - What’s Your Story?

  • ILLUS 3040 - Play at Work

  • ILLUS 3046 - Myth and Metaphor

  • ILLUS 3048 - Voice + Vision

  • ILLUS 3052 - Animalia

  • ILLUS 3054 - The Visual Essay

  • ILLUS 3104 - Visible Cities

  • ILLUS 3400 - Image Design

  • ILLUS 3412 - Words, Images and Ideas (may count for Concept Elective or Digital requirement but not both)

  • ILLUS 3590 - The Changing Narrative (may count for Concept Elective or Digital requirement but not both)

  • ILLUS 3604 - Cover to Cover

  • ILLUS 3632 - Making Play: Games

  • ILLUS 3638 - Picturing Sound: Music + Illustration

  • ILLUS 3912 - Art of Communicating Science

  • ILLUS 4014 - Of Isms and Illustrations

All Sophomores undergo a mandatory review during the Spring semester. Failure to undergo Sophomore Review will result in revoked privileges in subsequent semesters.

All Illustration majors are required to take Senior Portfolio in Spring of their Senior year.

Seniors have the option of undertaking a Senior Degree Project with the supervision of a full-time or part- time faculty member. The Degree Project Proposal must be approved by the department head in advance of registration, with the deadline coinciding with the published ISP/CSP deadline. Only projects with unusual merit and evidence of thorough preparation are approved.

Consult your Academic Advisor, the Liberal Arts Office or the Registrar for additional information.