Illustration
Nathan Watson
Your experience in the CCS Illustration department integrates the fundamentals of visual storytelling, figure drawing, color, composition, and perspective with industry-relevant coursework.
The Program
Our illustration elective course options form pathways in Visual Development, Publishing, Fashion Lifestyle and Licensing, Comics and Sequential, or Gallery Artist. Through these pathways, you will develop a portfolio specific to your career goals and creative interests.
Pathways
Our pathways will help you create a focused portfolio for freelance or studio-based careers in illustration, and that combined with our business-centric courses and optional Entrepreneurial Studies concentration will prepare you for work in a studio or opening your own.
Visual Development
Visual Development is for artists interested in the creative advancement of characters and environments for the animation industry. Gain an in-depth understanding of the industry pipeline and gain hands-on animation production experience- both feature and series length- all while building a portfolio project specifically geared toward industry placement.
Publishing
Publishing is for students who are interested in the various paths within print and digital publishing, like editorial, book cover and interior illustration, children’s picture books, and posters. Students will develop a focused portfolio and gain in-depth knowledge of industry practices, and trends within this well-known area of the illustration industry.
Fashion, Lifestyle and Licensing
The fashion, lifestyle and licensing pathway combines illustration with design on a variety of surfaces and products. Emphasis is placed on cutting-edge market and trend research utilizing industry-standard databases and resources. The Fashion, Lifestyle, and Licensing illustration markets are major growth areas in the Illustration industry, and our course content evolves with it.
Comics and Sequential
Students use visual storytelling skills for both self-published ‘zines and mainstream comics and graphic novel markets as well as storyboarding for television and film, in the Comics and Sequential pathway. Students will develop technical drawing skills alongside storytelling skillsets like acting, film theory, and script interpretation.
Gallery Artist
The gallery artist pathway balances classical skillsets with personal voice development and conceptual theory. Coursework includes more extensive figure painting and students’ resulting portfolio will be ready to submit to galleries and for solo and group exhibitions.
Possible Career Choices
Experiential Learning in Illustration
With our extensive industry connections spanning over a century, we ensure that the active learning our students engage in aligns with industry needs, preparing them for careers. Through hands-on experiences and reflection, students bridge classroom knowledge with real-world applications, both within and outside traditional classroom settings. Experiential learning opportunities are integrated into academic programs. Offered within courses or programs of study, these opportunities enable students to apply their knowledge through educational projects, partnerships, and placements.
Nickelodeon
313 Presents/Pine Knob Poster Competition
Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Presented by Lear Official Poster Competition
Notable Alumni
CCS’s Illustration alumni have many diverse options available to pursue upon graduation. From visual development, publishing, comics, gallery art and much more, alumni are working both nationally and internationally for large brands and as independent artists.
Mike “Michael Eugene” Burdick '09
Freelance Illustrator Repped by Closer&Closer for Illustration and Animation & Art Director at Bon Bon Bon
Kellye Perdue '16
Storyboard Artist
Brooke Hitchcock '17
Textile Designer & Fashion Illustrator, Central Home Brands
