Module manager: Catherine Stones
Email: c.m.stones@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
DESN2155
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The module will introduce students to the role of the illustrator within the context of the creative industries. Students will come to understand the technical, theoretical and conceptual rigor that successful illustrators embody within their practice. Students will undertake visual analysis of professional designers’ work and gain a portfolio of practice in response to a choice of creative briefs.
This module aims to equip students with a core understanding of the technicalities and principles of digital and print illustration for a contemporary audience. Seminars and lectures will explore the
historical significance of illustration as a means of communication and tool for visually expressing narratives, characters and places. Practical workshop sessions will apply these methods in a contemporary context. The module will use a historical foundation of the subject as a base to consider new approaches to the medium and investigate the ways in which the field continues to innovate and push creative boundaries. Students will be encouraged to engage with a varied range
of illustrative techniques and approaches before establishing an original illustrative response to a creative problem. These responses will be generated through a thorough and applied development
process.
On completion of this module, students will have provided evidence of being able to:
1. Demonstrate an ability to effectively critique the strengths and weaknesses of illustrative communication media.
2. Conduct visual research and develop concepts pertinent to the set brief.
3. Demonstrate an informed approach to exploring a range of illustrative styles with an understanding of their semiotic significance.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of how to effectively engage an audience through quality execution of a chosen illustrative approach.
Indicate Content is as follows:
*Relevant historical and contemporary innovations within the field of illustration.
*The role of illustration in contemporary communication, how it is commissioned and applied professionally.
*Semiotics and Visual Analysis
*Trend spotting and how to stay in touch with relevant approaches.
*Engaging with research, development and exploration.
*Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of contemporary illustrative approaches.
*Applying a critical approach to one’s own practice.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Practical | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Independent online learning hours | 40 | ||
| Private study hours | 140 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
* 40 hours of independent online learning including engaging with online texts, video tutorials and visual research.
* 5 hours of primary research recorded in sketchbook
* 5 hours of set reading/looking.
* 30 hours of secondary research recorded in portfolio Document
* 50 hours of project development and portfolio preparation
* 50 Hours of Final realisation and written work.
Students will receive feedback on their development work during at least 2 points during the course of the semester.
Group feedback sessions will also allow students to evaluate each others work against set criteria.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay or Dissertation | 1000 word essay | 30 |
| Portfolio | Illustration Practical Project | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The project involves a short evaluative report of their own practice. The essay will be based on a choice of questions focusing on a selection of illustrators and on the semiotic significance of their work. The resit will consist of the project component at 100%.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 5/13/2024
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