RISD Undergraduate Degrees - BFA: Illustration

Illustration is visual communication. At RISD your professors will help you develop a creative understanding of contemporary themes and concepts as a springboard to inventive image-making.

From painting with pure egg-yolk tempera to creating 3D imagery for computer gaming, you will work in a wide range of traditional and digital media and hone your conceptual and image-making skills through electives focused on everything from book and web design to editorial illustration, comics, caricature, picture books, graphic novels and new media. Throughout the program, RISD's Illustration faculty insist upon clarity of thinking backed by visual acuity and sophisticated approach to materials and process, recognizing that artistic creativity depends on mastering the skills needed to realize ideas.

visit risd admissions | view videos

• Drawing (fall/spring)
• Painting (fall/spring)
• Illustration I + II (fall/spring)
• Non-major elective (spring)
• Liberal Arts courses (fall/spring)
• Wintersession course

Sophomores
The first year of the program is devoted to developing both your creative intelligence and your technical facility. Courses in illustrative problem solving help nurture original thinking and conceptual clarity, while classes in drawing and painting strengthen basic image-making skills.

• Major electives (fall/spring)
• Illustration Concepts (fall)
• Liberal Arts courses (fall/spring)
• Non-major electives (fall/spring)
• Wintersession course

Juniors
As a junior, you will choose among a broad range of electives covering various traditional and digital media, along with image formulation for specific professional applications. Professional internships and independent study projects are also encouraged.

• Major electives (fall/spring)
• Liberal Arts courses (fall/spring)
• Non-major elective (fall)
• Wintersession course

Seniors
During the final year, you will work on refining your own distinctive artistic voice as you hone your portfolio and professional presentation skills. You will also complete a strong body of work and mount an exhibition in the Illustration Gallery.