Undergraduate | BFA

Illustration

Charlotte Cho, Fantastical Stories Whimsical illustration of two children playing in a colorful backyard. A blond child with a smiley-face shirt peers through a magnifying glass, while another child with dark hair sits on the ground mixing something in a pot. Around them, a dog, cat, and tricycle appear, with playful doodles of stars, unicorns, fish, and wizards overlaying the scene, suggesting imagination and magic in their play.
Undergraduate | BFA

Illustration

Overview

Challenge and reshape culture through visual storytelling.

Illustration brings ideas to life, turning concepts into compelling visuals that inspire, inform and communicate.

Explore traditional and digital techniques, refine your artistic voice and experiment with new approaches. Hands-on projects and critical studies open doors to diverse opportunities, from art exhibitions to media careers.

A 2025 illustrated calendar titled “Cree Animals Calendar.” The cover shows a bear hugging a cub, surrounded by doodles of flowers, insects, and stars. Inside months feature different animals with Cree and English labels: January—geese, February—cat, March—fox, April—rabbit, May—bear, June—bison, July—owls, August—caribou, September—turtle, October—snake, November—wolf, December—moose. Each page has earthy, hand-drawn illustrations with warm tones.

What You’ll Learn

Explore editorial and narrative illustration through a multidisciplinary curriculum that integrates studio practice and theory-based courses. Study historical and contemporary practices, develop critical thinking and refine your creative voice. Immersive projects and critiques will strengthen your ability to create, analyze and adapt across commercial, gallery-based and traditional practices.

Learn from experienced illustrators while cultivating your narration, interpretation and visualization approach. Gain a well-rounded understanding of illustration’s role in contemporary art and prepare for a career in visual storytelling.

Program Highlights

  • Develop your unique style through studio work
  • Learn from established artists, illustrators and industry leaders
  • Build a portfolio that showcases your creative voice
  • Explore electives in animation, design, interdisciplinary storytelling and many more
  • Participate in exhibitions, critiques, and self-directed projects
A stylized digital illustration of a girl underwater among lily pads and plants. She gazes excitedly at a school of golden glowing fish, her hand reaching toward them. Air bubbles rise around her as her red hair floats, blending with the magical, luminous scene.
Two fantasy characters stand beneath glowing lanterns and autumn leaves at night, with a large full moon in the background. The foreground figure has long white hair, antler-like horns, and flowing robes, while the figure behind has long dark hair, pointed ears, and a faint smile.
Two illustrated panels on a textured brown background. Left: a rabbit stands tall outside a small house, surrounded by clover, bees, and butterflies, with text labels in Cree syllabics and English: “rabbit / wapos.” Right: a turtle with a feather tied to its shell, which is inscribed with “Every Child Matters.” Text labels include “miskinâhk / turtle.”
Two people sit at a long table covered with a blue and white cloth, sorting stacks of small black-and-white photographs. Sunlight streams through three windows with leafy trees visible outside. Rubber bands and gloves sit on the table.
An illustrated pop-up style book spread. On the left, a folded note says “Meet us at The Rainbow Bridge” with small drawings of a rainbow, paw print, candy, and clouds. On the right, a colorful cover illustration shows animals, a girl with blue hair, and text reading “Rainbow Bridge.” The scene is warm and whimsical, tied together with patterned ribbon.
A surreal painting of a pale face with closed eyes emerging from the center of a large red flower. Black vine-like shapes extend from the flower’s petals against a swirling peach, pink, and orange patterned background.
A comic page showing three young men in suspenders and caps fishing from a wooden boat. One rows while another jokes about a book. Panels show dialogue: “How does he turn into him? / Just read it!” followed by “This feels like I’m back in school—Hey!” as one boy pushes another overboard with a paddle, ending with a SPLASH!

Program Structure

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