Polly Becker
Polly Becker's work has appeared in countless magazines and newspapers and has been honored with numerous awards from such juried competitions as Communication Arts Illustration Annual, American Illustration, The Society of Publication Designers and The Society of Illustrators (which has also awarded her a Silver Medal). Her work has been published worldwide and exhibited in solo and group shows in the US, Europe and the Middle East. An American Illustration profile describes Becker as “an illustrator and artist known for her smart, elegant and very imaginative assemblages.” In addition to her assemblages, she also works in a pen and ink style loosely modeled on 18th-century wood engraving. She has maintained a teaching practice alongside her professional work for most of her career, and she lives in Boston with her husband, younger son and Pearl, a miniature greyhound.
Courses
Fall 2023 Courses
ILLUS 2000-03
VISUAL THINKING
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Illustration is visual communication: meaning made visible. Visual thinking, the creative process by which all successful illustration is developed, constitutes the development of an articulate images through thorough, iterative exploration of ideas. This class emphasizes process over finish, idea over application and significance over style-exploring both ways of seeing and ways of showing. Coursework will encourage conceptual invention and application fundamental to an understanding of what the practice of illustration is and can be. The object of the course is to strengthen the students' inventive talents and interpretive skills - and thereby to augment their ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity, eloquence and power.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Preference is given to Sophomore Illustration Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Illustration
Wintersession 2024 Courses
ILLUS 3760-101
THE COLLAGED IMAGE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course will focus on the creation of expressive imagery through the combination of collage and mixed media. Students will work with a wide range of materials and collage elements, including their own drawings and paintings, photographic images and found objects. Techniques used for developing layers of both texture and meaning will be explored and later applied to specific illustration problems.
Elective
Spring 2024 Courses
ILLUS 4012-05
SENIOR PORTFOLIO
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to help students find their way to the professional marketplace utilizing the best tool available - the portfolio. Be it the freelance advertising, editorial or children's book markets, an animation or gaming studio, a publishing house, gallery or other venue, this course will introduce the components of the portfolio necessary for success. It includes development of both a traditional and online presence, discussions on specific industries, copyright issues, client contracts and pricing guidelines. Each student will create new work to augment their existing portfolio, as well as business cards, a resume, a contact list, invoice and letterhead. The course will also include visiting guest lecturers from a variety of industries. The focus will be to complete a portfolio that serves as a professional tool most suited to each individual's talent and aspirations.
Enrollment is limited to Senior Illustration Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Illustration