2. Unis that offer desirable
courses: As a specialist creative arts university, we have created a unique
community for our students, where like-minded people can share in
the creative process and inspire one another. Collaboration
between courses is encouraged, with fine artists studying with
budding filmmakers and fashion designers working alongside
architects. In this way, our students benefit from exposure to a
range of disciplines.
Choosing to study with us will give you the freedom to discover
your own personal style through a winning combination of
industry-focused courses, state-of-the-art facilities, and
inspirational expert staff.
Illustration as a subject has expanded from
traditional print to many forms of
communication. This course offers you the
broadest practical and critical exploration of
both subjects and possibilities. It builds key
skills in creative image communication,
enabling your practice to be successful and
develop in the direction you choose.
Graduates consistently produce
internationally recognised award-winning
work.
Illustration Animation BA (Hons)
Illustration and Animation (Canterbury)
Illustration (Farnham)
The facilities at Kingston impressed me; they had a fully-fledged
animation studio, as well as an auditorium that hosted the
graduate student animations. The rooms displaying the student
works were spacious and bright, and there was a large and
technologically advanced workshop for 3D work
(woodcutting/metal usage etc.). The campus is near Kingston
Town and my home, and my father vouched for the University’s
quality because he went there himself. The cafeteria was quite
small, however I would rather spend my time socialising outside.
The facilities at UCA in Epsom were slightly underwhelming; the majority of the rooms
were heavily fashion based and I found it difficult to find the areas specific to the
discipline of illustration or animation. However this was to be expected because the UCA
has several different locations that all specialise in different areas of art; Canterbury is the
Uni that offers the Illustration Animation course, and according to their website they have
various facilities that allow for a range of art to be created. The Epsom campus was
difficult to navigate, however the work on display (especially the fashion garments and
student pieces from the Foundation course looked very professional and varied.
3. Work Experience and family connections
to the creative field:
In terms of work experience, although it isn’t linked to a creative subject, I have been
working as a bartender for several months. The job requires me to be very socially
interactive which I believe has improved my communicative skills greatly. Communication
is relevant to a plethora of jobs (practically every job requires some negotiations) therefore
I feel this job has assisted in my capabilities as a prospective illustrator/creative person.
The job also requires me to multi-task : serving drinks whilst memorising customer orders,
as well as calculating prices in my head, and I feel this has prepared me for working with
multiple clients on multiple projects at the same time.
In terms of creative links within the family, my father is an independent graphic designer
and has more than 20 years of experience in visual communication. He is often very
informative about what makes a good visual first impression, and I believe he has assisted
(and will continue to assist) my creative choices in terms of layout and efficiency. My
godmother is also a creative director at the BBC, which is relevant to my desired job role as
an independent ‘creative director’ of my own work as she is responsible for forming ideas
and making independent decisions for her department.
4. My choices for progression:
Although I am quite certain I want to pursue a
career in illustration/character design/animation, I
feel I am not ready for degree-level education. As a
result of this decision, I would like to undergo an
art foundation course for a year; I believe I need
another year to refine my illustrative skills, and
investigate and experiment with other mediums to
figure out which pathway within illustration would
be best for me. I feel it is the obvious progression
choice as it is a free year to relax (in a way), as well
as improve in various areas of art.
5. My choices for progression
Plan A – Kingston University - Foundation Diploma in Art and Design:
I decided Kingston was my top choice for the foundation as the open day
was much more professional, organised, and interesting. The location is also
ideal for me as I am living in Kingston and I would only have to walk about
15 minutes to get to the campus.
Plan B – UCA Epsom- Foundation Diploma in Art and Design:
I was slightly underwhelmed at the open day, however the course leaders
were very friendly and enthusiastic and the student work was encouraging.
As a foundation course doesn’t cost anything, I wanted to attend a course within the area so that I did not have to pay
for separate accommodation for no reason. I found two Universities nearby with foundation courses that greatly
appealed to me- Kingston University and UCA in Epsom. Both courses followed a similar, non-restrictive structure that
was so unlike my BTEC level art course, and the feedback from students and the images of students’ works was very
encouraging for both places.
6. Course information – Kingston University
‘This accredited course provides a unique and thorough grounding in a broad
range of areas within the creative industries. It prepares you for entry to
degree-level art and design programmes, nationally and internationally.
The fast-paced modular curriculum, taught within a professional and
supportive studio environment, helps you develop both conceptual and
practical skills to make the most of the next level of your education.’
Specialist facilities include:
• digital media workshops;
• photography suite;
• printmaking studio;
• 3D materials workshop;
• state-of-the-art filming environment and animation suite; and
• architectural science and technology laboratory (ArchiLab).
7. Course information - UCA Epsom
Facilities:
• Printmaking studios
• Photography suites
• Illustration studios;
• Mac digital suites;
• Library
1. Through a structured programme of drawing
and visual studies, you’ll identify your skills,
strengths and interests. You’ll also develop
practical abilities in 2D and 3D, helping you
to make an informed choice for specialist
study.
2. You'll choose to specialise in one pathway
from graphic design, illustration,
photography, film, 3D design, fashion,
textiles and fine art.
3. You’ll bring together all your newly
developed skills, knowledge and
understanding in art, craft, design and
communications to plan and fulfill a major
project, resulting in an exhibition.
8. Why I chose the course, and why I am
appropriate for it:
I chose to apply for these foundation courses as I believe they would greatly benefit
me; they would make a huge impact on my personal growth as a creative person as
they would provide me with the time and facilities to experiment with an extended
library of materials in order to shape and improve my preferable medium. I feel my
own skills thus far are appropriate to the course as, during my BTEC diploma art
course, I have completed a number of specialist units covering the usage of various
materials (3D sculpture, observational drawing, digital modeling, graphic design,
screen-printing, lino-printing, painting, etc.) which has given me an open mind in
terms of experimentation.
The foundation course requires five GCSEs grade C or above and a BTEC Diploma in
Art and Design (or equivalent), both of which I have achieved; in less technical
terms, the course requires prospective students to have a willingness, and a
passion, to experiment and explore, and I feel I am very keen to use every material
available to me.
9. Student opinions on Kingston and UCA:
“Well what can I say about my foundation year at
Kingston? It has been a hundred times better than I
could ever have imagined. I have learnt so much in
such a short space of time and consequently my
work has improved dramatically. I have made great
friends and been inspired by talented tutors as well
as other students. Coming into university every day
has been a great social experience, alongside
working harder than I have ever done before. I have
loved every minute of my course and will not be
forgetting it any time soon.”
"I absolutely loved my time at Kingston – it was so
exciting to be in a place where everyone enjoyed the
same thing. I was shocked at how much my work
changed in just a year; the tutors were the main
reason for this. I found them to be passionate and
always there to give advice, which I feel you just
don't get at other places.”
"I have enjoyed my year at Kingston very much,
thanks to the great surroundings and inspirational
tutors. I loved coming in every day, using the
workshop and making some really good friends. The
tutors give really fun and interesting projects, and
you should take advantage of the library as a
resource. I gained a lot of confidence from this
course and loved it so much that I will be staying at
Kingston for my degree!"
10. External links and progression
opportunities:Industry Partners at UCA:
Design and Art Directors Association, Far Far Away Books,
Association of Illustrators, Nobrow Books, GAS Art Agency / Gina
Cross, artists’ and illustrators’ agent, Ambit Magazine, Penguin
Books, The Folio Society, The V&A, Comica, Loop Magazine, Ditto
Press, Nobrow Books, The AOI, Four Corners Books.
How Kingston work with industry partners
All members of staff are practicing artists and designers. This means:
• their teaching includes up-to-date professional experience;
• they can tell you what life in industry is really like; and
• they can help balance creating inspiring, challenging work with meeting the needs of your
client.
Our tutors aim to lead by example, showing you that they are just as excited as you about work
and the future. Many are award winning artists and designers with staff members. For example,
staff members have won national illustration and D&AD design awards.
Wherever possible, you enter the public eye and have a 'real' experience of cutting-edge art and
design.
Careers and progression
If you would like to go on from this course to a BA(Hons) art and design degree at Kingston, you
can have a pre-UCAS interview for a place at the University, subject to the standard and content
of your work.
Employability preparation at Kingston University
In addition to building expertise in your own discipline, our courses will also help you to develop
key transferable skills that you'll need for professional life or further study once you graduate.
As well as a range of careers and employability activities at Kingston, we also offer you the
chance to apply and develop your skills in live contexts as an integral part of your course.
11. Open day report – Kingston University
I decided to attend an Art Foundation open day at Kingston University, and I was thoroughly impressed. I found
the whole affair very organised and professional; the room we were based in was welcoming and clean, with
elegant, relevant decorations on the walls specifically installed for the event. There was a visually pleasing
presentation about the foundation course, which explained various aspects about the course such as the
facilities available, the staff and their qualifications, the course structure, and the possible progression routes
after completing it, in a minimalistic way.
In addition to the presentation, the course leader was also present; she answered our questions and explained
each slide enthusiastically. She seemed genuinely passionate about the course, and interested in the
prospective students attending it, which I believe is key to any course I wish to enrol in. The presentation also
included various examples of foundation student work, which gave me an idea about skill level that students
achieve whilst on the course. The course leader also talked about local exhibitions and installations that the
students were collaboratively involved in, which again showed me the level of professionalism achievable on
the foundation.
The course leader was also very informative about the application process for the foundation course; she
explained, in detail, the requirements for the digital portfolio (the different types of work and the amount of it
needed) and reassured us of the informative nature of the interviewing process. In addition to the
presentation, each attendee was given a leaflet with details of the foundation course, and another leaflet with
detailed information on the requirements for the application portfolio; I found this was very useful and
considerate of the university as we were able to review the presentation information at our own pace after the
presentation had finished. Overall, I felt the day was impressively organised and enthusiastic; I felt informed
about the course details, and at ease about the process of securing a place for it.
12. Personal Statement for course
applications:
For any course application, you are required to write a
personal statement. As foundation courses are not
controlled through UCAS, the character limit for this
statement is usually different for each university. I found this
quite trying, as I had to trim my statement to fall under the
specific guidelines for Kingston and Epsom, however the
content wanted within the statements was almost identical.
Both universities requested that the personal statement
should describe my creative influences, my ambitions and
plans for the future, as well as any notable/relevant skills
that would contribute to how appropriate I am for the
course.
The word count for the Epsom application was a little bigger
than Kingston, however I feel I managed to relay all that
needed to be said in both of them. In my personal
statement (to the right), I mentioned my illustrative
influences, my general interests/hobbies, my plans for the
future, my achieved grades/skills, and what I hope to
achieve from the foundation course.
13. Portfolio for course applications:
Although most foundation courses request you to bring a portfolio after you are offered an interview, the Kingston
application required me to attach a digital portfolio to my online application due to the large number of
applicants they receive.
The details of what to include
in my portfolio were available
in the leaflet I received on the
Kingston foundation open day.
The images to the left are
screenshots of my digital
portfolio, compiled on the file-
sharing website,
Dropbox.com.
The next slide goes into detail
about what the portfolio
requirements were, and how I
achieved them in my own
portfolio.
14. Report on how I fulfilled the portfolio
application requirements:
For the Kingston digital portfolio, I was issued a very specific set of instructions as to how to fulfill the requirements. From an online PDF, and my leaflet from
the open day, I read that I had to create my portfolio via Dropbox, and create four subsections (folders) within my application folder, with different types of
works for each folder. The first folder would have to contain 10 images of observational drawings, these drawings would have to display a range of material
usage (such as charcoal, paint, ink, pencil, etc.) and an accurate eye for observational sketching. For this folder, I decided to include numerous outcomes from
my life drawing classes (depicting the human form in charcoal, white chalk, ink, and pencil), small self portraits (experimenting with light and colour with
acrylic paint), some quick plant sketches (pencil, ink, paint, charcoal), and some digital sketches depicting a fast moving human baby. I believe this selection of
works displayed both my skill in using a variety of mediums, and my accuracy in visual character and understanding of proportion and light.
For the second folder I had to include 15 images of my sketchbook work, conveying my research, tests, and idea development. For this folder I selected my
sketchbook pages with careful consideration; I decided to include a few pages displaying my writing ability (annotation and reflection of packaging, and
analysis of my own observational recordings), a few pages displaying my idea progression and tests towards outcomes (ink lettering tests for TATE project,
developmental charcoal drawings of potential lino prints, etc.), a page of process documentation (written mono-printing process with own images), and a
couple of pages of my personal digital sketchbook displaying my specific artistic interests. I believe these pages displayed a wide range of skill in both
academic, written terms and creative.
The third folder had to include 5 images of ‘final pieces’; the leaflet stated that these pieces could be of any medium (be it film or paint) and didn’t even need
to be finished in the literal sense. For my five images I wanted to display my abilities in a variety of mediums, therefore I chose to include a painted,
observational, self-portrait (acrylic paint), a 3D lantern product inspired by Vienna (tissue paper, string, card), a multimedia triptych inspired by Vienna
(watercolour, charcoal, acrylic), a recreational piece conveying a delicate time in my life (black marker, paper, fine liner), and an .mp4 file of my claymation
music video to one of my favourite songs.
The final folder had to include 10 ‘things I like’, and the contents of this folder was entirely open to interpretation. I chose to include several pictures of knives
that I own (as I have a fondness for them), a couple of pictures of books and me covered in books (as I love to read), a picture of strangely shaped aborigines
(as I am fascinated by natural shapes and patterns), a digital drawing of a bird (as I am very fond of animals), a picture of myself wearing both ‘girl associated’
clothing and ‘boy’ (displaying my androgynous disposition), and a picture of Hayao Miyazaki (as I appreciate his creative works and agree with his morals).
Regardless of whether it was ‘correct’ or not, I believe the final folder was successful in representing my personality and what I appreciate most in life.
15. Post Uni Plan A - Being a freelance
Illustrator/character designer
My first progression choice would be to leave University and start a freelance career as
an Illustrator.
As an illustrator, you would produce drawings, paintings or diagrams that help make
products more attractive or easier to understand. This could include books, book jackets,
greetings cards, advertisements, packaging and detailed technical diagrams. If you are
talented at drawing, and have creativity and imagination, this might be the perfect job
for you. You’ll need to be creative while sticking to your customer's design brief.
Time management is something you’ll need to use when meeting publication or client
deadlines. Many professional illustrators have a degree in illustration or other art related
degree subjects. If you are creative, have artistic talent and the determination to succeed
you could still be successful in illustration without a degree.
You may be able to specialise in one type of illustration, such as heritage illustration,
designing pictures for guidebooks, leaflets or maps for stately homes and castles. You
might also work in educational illustration designing websites, leaflets and publications
for an academic institution. If you work freelance as a self-employed illustrator you will
need business skills so you can market your goods and services. You’ll also need to
develop the skills to deal with your own finances and build up and promote your own
business.
16. Post Uni Plan B - Being an animator
My second progression choice would be to leave University and start a career in
animation.
Animators bring drawings or computer generated characters to life on screen. If
you want to use your imagination, and have creative skills like drawing or
modelling, this job could be perfect for you. To create an image that
communicates with your audience, you’ll need patience and the ability to
concentrate so that your work is accurate and has detail. You’ll also need good
computer skills. Artistic talent is highly valued within the animation industry and
you can still become an animator based on self-taught skills and experience. It's
becoming more common for new animators to begin their careers by taking an
animation or art-related course to develop their skills before looking for work.
As an animator, your work could be used in animated films or television
cartoons. It may also be used for adverts, computer games, websites and music
videos. You could specialise in one of the following animation techniques: 2D
hand-drawn or traditional, 2D computer-generated, 3D computer-generated
imagery (CGI), stop-frame, stop-motion or model animation.
Producing an animation involves many stages and processes. This can include
generating ideas in the development stage to building models during production,
and editing the final piece in post-production.
