BA (Hons) Illustration for Communication

Working in a collaborative studio environment, students will have the opportunity to apply their skills across a range of illustrative applications including:

• Editorial
• Publishing
• Packaging
• Product
• Print
• Advertising
• Character
• Animation

If you are studying the BA (Hons) Illustration for Communication with Integrated Foundation Year version of this course, key topics of your integrated foundation year will include:

• Fundamental design principles: typography, colour, hierarchy, layout, and imagery
• Developing clear visual narratives, identities, and design systems
• Crafting effective visual storytelling through sequencing, pace, and tone
• Conducting research with cultural, social, and ethical awareness
• Mastery of industry-standard software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Animate, After Effects, Acrobat, Premiere Pro)
• Managing production workflows from pre-production to post-production
• Critically evaluating design work using relevant criteria
• Creating professional portfolios, slide decks, and pitch presentations.

If you choose to add an Integrated Foundation Year on this course, you will be first introduced to the fundamental principles of design. Your foundation year gives you the time, space and support to explore your strengths, build confidence and prepare for the demands of project-based, industry-focused learning. Modules are as follows*:

• Module 1: Diagnostic exploration - making informed choices
• Module 2: Technical - Technical knowledge in practice
• Module 3: Specialist - Innovating specialist practice
• Module 4: Integration - Integrated practice for progression to Higher Education

Please note: Students starting this course with the Integrated Foundation Year in September 2026/27 will study the 2027/28 approved modules in Years 1, 2 and 3.

Year 1

This studio-led introduction to illustration expands mindsets and skillsets through workshops and projects. 

You will have the opportunity to explore idea generation, documentation and process experimentation, and the creation of images through drawing and mark-making, animation, and traditional as well as digital print making.

A programme of industry practitioners and speakers supplements and enhances the core delivery.

Modules include:

• Introduction to Visual Culture
• Introduction to Illustration Practice
• Visual Culture Futures
• Narrative Concepts and Communication
• Professional Life Practice: "Developing your Practice"
• Professional Life Practice: "Exploring your Practice".

Year 2

Year two explores a more individual approach to illustration as a versatile and expanded practice, and encourages the development of creative thinking and ideas generation, combined with a deeper understanding of the broader purposes of the discipline. The ability to express a personal vision, develop an informed opinion and a philosophical stance is facilitated through a combination of ambitious solo and collaborative projects with other connected disciplines.

Modules include:

• Self-authorship and Publishing
• Collaborate
• The Expanded Practice
• Professional Life Practice: "Applying your Practice"
• Work-based learning.

Year 3

The culmination of three years of study in illustration is channelled into industry-led projects and a focus on self-promotion and industry knowledge prepares you for professional life. A range of self-directed projects form the basis of the final portfolio of work appropriate to applied contexts across a broad range of illustration-centric disciplines.

Modules include:

• Competitions and Live Briefs
• Self-directed Major Projects
• Professional Life Practice: "Situating your Practice"
• Self-promotion and Professional Practice.

Year 1

Year 1 is a studio-led introduction to illustration, expanding your knowledge of the discipline through workshops, projects and lectures. You will have the opportunity to explore idea generation, documentation and process experimentation, and the creation of images through drawing and mark-making, animation, and traditional as well as digital print making.

Modules may include:

• Rave Beginnings
• History of Visual Culture
• Drawing, Mark-Making & Expression
• Storytelling & Concept
• Future Directions in Visual Culture & EPC

Year 2

Year two explores a more individual approach to illustration as a versatile and expanded practice, and encourages the development of creative thinking and ideas generation, combined with a deeper understanding of the broader purposes of the discipline. The ability to express a personal vision, develop an informed opinion and a philosophical stance is facilitated through a combination of ambitious solo and collaborative projects with other connected disciplines.

Modules may include:

• Character Development
• Sequential Narratives
• Design Studio
• Toys, Games & Puppets
• Live & Work-based Learning

Year 3

The culmination of three years of study in illustration is channelled into industry-led projects and a focus on self-promotion and industry knowledge prepares you for professional life. A range of self-directed projects form the basis of the final portfolio of work appropriate to applied contexts across a broad range of illustration-centric disciplines.

Modules may include:

• Personal Voice & Style
• Competitions & Live Briefs
• Rave Futures
• Major Project

All modules are subject to revalidation

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade CC or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade MPP
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 64 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. We still think exams are important and look forward to hearing about your successes, but we place just as much importance on the work you will share with us as part of our portfolio process.

Selection criteria:

Students should ideally have a background in art, creative media or design. Admission onto this course is also subject to successful completion of a portfolio (or showreel). 

We may also consider a combination of portfolio and academic qualifications and take into consideration progress made during studies and/or relevant work experience.

We are looking for aspiring illustrators who are passionate about image-making, and want to take part in shaping the future of visual communication.

We are not seeking industry-ready professionals, or people with established styles - we are simply looking for students who are excited and intrigued by illustration, and have the curiosity and motivation to approach it with the energy and focus it needs.

This means that we have no specific requirements for what should be in your portfolio, but we would like to see evidence of how you like to make images (it doesn’t matter if that’s drawing, painting, digital work, collage, photography, animation - that part is up to you), as well as roughs, sketchbooks and development, so that we can get an idea of how you create your work.

Technical and digital skills are useful, but not mandatory - digital workshops run throughout the course, and will get you up to speed on everything you need to learn to create industry-ready work.

This page offers great tips for completing your portfolio/showreel.

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade DD or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade PPP
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 48 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. 

Selection criteria:

Students should ideally have a background in art, creative media or design.

There are no interview or portfolio requirements for this course.