The FdA Illustration offers an approach to graphic image-making that is focused towards contemporary industry practice.

The course seeks to explore the expanding avenues of employment in publishing, motion graphics, animation and interactive media. It was developed to reflect insights into current practice which point to a demand for image makers who are able to create visual experiences that utilise sequence and interaction in some way.

Key design industry practitioners were consulted in the development of the course so that the processes and methods explored reflect as closely as possible current working practice.

We recognise the need for a constant process of review and evaluation, in order to maintain an awareness of emerging trends within the fast moving world of communication design. As a result opportunities to engage directly with industry occur throughout the 2 years, creating the possibility for a seamless progression into a successful career.

Students explore image making through a range of processes, from screen-based technologies to more traditional hands-on approaches. The impact of advanced technologies on working methods is explored as well as the emerging significance of teamwork and project management.

These issues are examined in an industry context through work-based learning which involves research, report writing and a work placement or a simulated live project.

The course takes a reflective approach to learning so that students can develop skills of evaluation and planning as a means of establishing an increasing level of independence and self-reliance as a learner and in a career.

The course aims to prepare students to go straight into employment or progress onto Level Three of a relevant BA (Hons) course at Camberwell College of Arts or elsewhere.

Staff

The staff team of the FdA courses at Camberwell is designed to enable students to get up to the minute industry experience while being guided through a very structured educational experience.

Core staff are appropriatly qualified educators who provide students with support and guidence, and create an environment where they can take advantage of weekly input from practitioners from the leading consultancies in their respective fields.

These have included the likes of Spin, Bibliotheque, Peepshow, 300 Million, Sennep, Moving Brands and onedotzero.

For more information please contact - Derek Yates - d.yates@camberwell.arts.ac.uk

Learning and teaching

University of the Arts London courses span a broad range of art, design, communication, business, media, science and communication subjects. So the ways in which you learn and how your time is used will vary according to the specific course you are studying; this may be in studios, labs, classes, involve working alone, learning from peers in pairs or groups, or with external partners. Most importantly, no matter which course you enrol on, you will learn not only about your subject but also about how you learn and how to increase your knowledge base.

Our courses will guide you to take increasing responsibility and ownership of your work and your learning. We do this so that you will be ready and able to take full advantage of the full range of opportunities offered by the creative industries in the global economy.

Assessment methods

At the University of the Arts London we see assessment as a very real part of learning, rather than just a means of looking back at past work and measuring achievement; we believe that assessment helps you plan future work and develop new ideas. 

Your work will be assessed through projects or portfolios, with written papers or research journals, and, on some courses, examinations. You will be graded according to a set of marking criteria that relate to such things as research, subject knowledge, methodology, and your capacity to analyse and reflect on your achievements. So don’t be afraid of assessment - it is the way to progress.

Year 1

Year 1 requires students to define and explore ‘key’ principles in the creation of visual communication experiences. You will establish appropriate research methodology and the skills necessary to exploit the relationships between image and text, sequence, and interaction.

Initial induction workshops build into more detailed explorations and culminate into a diagnostic study designed to instigate a more focussed and specialised sustained exploration.

Opportunities will be given to work in teams alongside FdA Graphic Design students.  

Your study is informed and supported by a programme of design contexts seminars and skills workshops that will establish underpinning practical and theoretical knowledge.

During the second half of Stage 1 students will take part in a research project aimed at identifying underlying concepts and key issues associated with the contemporary creative industries.

This project is designed to instigate an ongoing process of research that will keep students abreast of ongoing developments in the fast moving world of communication design.

FdA Illustration achieved 100% student satisafaction in last year's National Student Survey 
(*The KIS data in the Unistats table is based on an average over the last two years)

Year 2


Year 2 begins with a sustained period of work based learning which enables students to reflect upon, analyse and evaluate image making in the professional context.

Discoveries made during this experience will inform the preparation of a personally focused programme of study which will allow for the development of work that exploits specialist interests in the following areas: editorial illustration and visual problem solving, advertising and communication, representation, 3D and environmental image-making, sequential and screen based image making.

The review and evaluation of this programme of study will allow for the modification and enhancement of work and ideas leading to the production of a resolved body of work.

At the end of the students are given detailed guidance in the preparation of an appropriate to approach employers.

*Students holding a Foundation degree (FdA) in a related subject may be considered for the 3rd year bridging unit, which enables students to apply to the 3rd Year BA (Hons) degree courses in Illustration.*

Having completed a work placement and/or live projects students are in an excellent position to either go straight into employment or set up as freelance practitioners. Potential areas of employment are publishing, moving image graphics, animation and interactive media.

Students also have the option to apply to the third year of the BA’s in Graphic Design or Illustration, subject to the level of award they achieve and successful completion of the bridging studies programme.  

• Portfolio of work
• 1 GCE A Level or equivalent
• 3 GCSEs (grade C or above)
• Applicants whose first language is not English must show proof of IELTS level 5.5 and a minimum of 4.5 in reading, listening, writing and speaking. The University also accepts other tests. Please see the University English tests page for the equivalent scores required in these tests.
• Applications are welcome from students returning to education after a break and the College takes into consideration prior learning, alternative qualifications and experience.

You need to apply through the UCAS online application system. You can complete your UCAS application from anywhere that has internet access.

All Camberwell College of Arts UCAS Course Codes can be found on the course 'At a Glance' tab or on the UCAS website.

Our University code is UAL.

Our College Code is U65.

There is no Campus Code for Camberwell College of Arts.

For further information about UCAS, or their application procedure, please contact them directly.

T: +44 (0)870 1122211
E: enq@ucas.ac.uk

For any other information please contact Camberwell College of Arts.

T: 020 7514 6302
E: info@camberwell.arts.ac.uk

Students holding a Foundation degree (FdA) in a related subject may be considered for the 3rd year bridging unit, which enables students to apply to the 3rd Year BA (Hons) degree courses in Illustration. Please see the BA Illustration course page for more information.

International Applicants

Please visit the ccw international apply page for details.

or contact the CCW International Office.

T: +44 (0) 207 514 1852
E: ccwinternational@arts.ac.uk