Illustration (MFA)

The MFA in Illustration provides the skills to develop portfolios with samples in Children’s Book, Editorial, Licensing, Package Illustration, Concept Art, Book Covers, Preliminary Art, Advertising, or Institutional Art portfolios. Both representational and stylistic approaches for print and or web are taught. Students graduate with a portfolio created in a personal style and medium of choice that is market appropriate.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree
Major Classes

This program is available online and on campus

School of Illustration

FA 626

Chiaroscuro Major/3

Apply classical drawing principles to render a 3D form. You'll dive deep into the five-value system of tonal rendering, composition, value pattern, variation of form, cast shadow edges, and light and shadow relationships.

FA 630

Color Theory Major/3

Get an education in color. You'll enhance your capacity to make informed color choices in your artwork by studying scientific research (theory) and through a series of hands-on projects (practice) designed to help you personalize color.

ILL 602

Concept, Technique and Illustration Major/3

Find your voice. Experiment with different media as you work through the full illustration process, from concept sketches to finished artwork.

ILL 610

Clothed Figure Drawing Major/3

Create a believable three-dimensional illusion of a figure on a flat surface of paper. You'll study physical flexibility, how the figure moves, various types of folds, and the construction of clothing.

ILL 620

Graphic Novel/Comic Book 1 Major/3

Tell your stories sequentially. You'll investigate the mechanics and structures of comics, storyboards, illustrated books, and film to create your own graphic short stories. (This course is cross-listed with ILL 371.)

ILL 625

Perspective for Characters and Environment Major/3

Learn to draw situations suggesting 3D believably. This will include naturalistic environments, lighting, and placement of characters, allowing your audience a full understanding of your stories.

ILL 632

Refining Layouts in Ink Major/3

Working either traditionally or digitally, use inking to elevate your work. You'll gain the inking skills to create mood, add definition, and convey a sense of dimension to augment your penciled sequential images. (This course is cross-listed with ILL 392.)

ILL 660

Digital Painting Major/3

Digital painting is in demand by many of today's art buyers. In this class, you'll use digital painting software as a tool to create graduate-level, professional illustrations.

ILL 672

Scriptwriting for Comic Books and Graphic Novels Major/3

Gain professional comic book scriptwriting skills. You'll study graphic novels, the physical space words occupy, and critical writing about comics to produce a completed comic book script in one semester.

ILL 730

Graphic Novel /Comic Book 2 Major/3

Create your own graphic short stories and sequential narratives. You'll look at comics, storyboards, illustrated books, and film to investigate advanced issues in the mechanics, structures, and possibilities of visual narratives. MA student? This is your portfolio review. MFA student? This is midpoint review prep. (This course is cross-listed with ILL 373.)

IXD 600

Digital Graphics Major/3

Develop proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign by engaging in comprehensive design projects. You will delve into Adobe's design suite and AI-enhanced design tools.

Degree Requirements

Unit Requirements	Units
Major Coursework	30
Directed Study	18
Electives	6
Graduate Liberal Arts	9
Total	63

MFA ILLUSTRATION DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of Final Thesis Project.
Minimum grade of C in all required 63 units.
Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirements:
1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic Sensitivity course
1 Cross Cultural Understanding course
1 Professional Practices & Communications course

Additional Information

Graduate Liberal Arts

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

MFA Program Learning Outcomes

The MFA Illustration Graduate School curriculum emphasizes visual communication and a mastery of technical and conceptual abilities and involves intensive education in the formulation of ideas, problem solving and artistic skill. Students are asked to stretch their talents and refine the skills that will enhance their art, broadening the opportunities for their work. Development of the individual style and viewpoint is a focus of graduate studies in Illustration.

The graduate student will develop a portfolio that demonstrates a personal style and a high level of professional skills. A refined illustrative style and voice will culminate in the graduate student individual focus for their Final Project in areas such as editorial, advertising, graphic novel and children's books. The Final Project is exhibited to the public upon approval of the Final Review committee.

MFA graduates of the School of Illustration will meet the following student performance criteria:

MFA Thesis Project

Plan a portfolio of works directed towards legitimate markets
Produce a professional-level portfolio consisting of 15 works directed towards legitimate markets

Artistic Ability

Demonstrate the skills necessary in the chosen medium or mediums to successfully complete their thesis project
Create compelling images
Maintain a consistent “language” or “signature style”

Research and Conceptualization Skills

Clearly identify their audience
Conduct research for reference

Presentation Skills

Professionally present and discuss their work with a review committee

Professional Readiness

Develop digital materials to market themselves and their work
Demonstrate an understanding of current trends and visual industry standards by describing how their work will address a specific market