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

Join a Creative + Connected Community

We’re the #1 art university in Canada for many reasons — our excellence in reputation extends not only to your academic and studio experience, but also to the artistic opportunities you’ll have outside of the classroom and after graduation.

Earning your Bachelor of Fine Arts is more than what you learn in the classroom, it’s about joining a thriving creative community and gaining real-world experience.

The Illustration Major offers professional development opportunities that prepare you for your career, including:

  • On-campus exhibition spaces to showcase your work
  • Guest speakers, industry events, and networking with notable artists
  • Teacher Assistant, Research Assistant and faculty apprenticeship opportunities
  • Work-integrated learning and industry experience through our Careers team
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.

In Others’ Words

“Finding my passion for illustration at Emily Carr has opened the doors to finding jobs I’ve always dreamed of. Along with winning multiple illustration awards with the Society of Illustrators, 3×3 Magazine, and Creative Quarterly, I’ve had the chance to work for top companies like HarperCollins, Simon and Schuster, Lufthansa, Penguin Random House, and The Royal Canadian Mint, to name a few. I’ve also been able to launch my own stationery brand, Linden Paper Co.”

Jori Van Der Linde, BFA,
Illustration

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!

Opportunities After Graduation

Graduates of the Illustration program develop in-demand skills, combining technical expertise with critical thinking. Many build careers as visual artists or enter creative and commercial industries while continuing their own practice. Graduates may pursue MFA or PhD studies.

Career paths include:

  • Book illustration (children’s books, comics, graphic novels)
  • Visual development for animation, film, and video games
  • Design for collectives and social justice movements
  • Advertising and editorial illustration
  • Mural painting and public art
  • Illustration history and research
How to Apply
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