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Hartford Art School

Illustration

At a Glance

Illustration students will develop their artistic abilities to effectively convey visual concepts for clients in the marketplace.

Full Time
Rolling Admission

Degrees Offered

Total Credits

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Varies or 120 Minimum

Minor

18

Overview

The illustration program develops your artistic abilities to effectively convey visual concepts for clients in the marketplace.

About the Major

Its rigors emphasize conceptual problem-solving, technical expertise, meeting deadlines, and other professional practices. We stress drawing knowledge and skill as the basis for all visual conceptualization. This is applied to both traditional and digital mediums.

We’ll sharpen your professional standards through sophomore and junior reviews. Our program prepares you to work at a professional level, with a comprehensive understanding of illustration and the ability to merge your client’s needs with your personal style.

After your foundation year, this program guides you through a series of independent studios and illustration intensives focused on editorial, advertising, and book work, using both digital and traditional methods. You must complete 77–80 studio credits for your major, plus 45–46 academic credits.

For a full list of requirements, visit the course catalog.

Core Classes

ILS 210 | Drawing for Illustration
ILS 220 | Intro to Illustration
ILS 320 | Illustration I (Oil)
ILS 330 | Illustration II (Acrylic)
ILS 332 | Illustration III (Watercolor)
ILS 333 | Figure Illustration
ILS 336 | Digital Illustration
ILS 289 | Sophomore Review
ILS 389 | Junior Review

Electives

ILS 442 | Advertising
ILS 440 | Editorial
ILS 338 | Book
ILS 443 | Portfolio Prep
ILS 444 | Senior project

Additional Requirements

20 credits from Foundation year

  • 3 credits in each of the following (12 total):
    • PTG/DWG or DES
    • SCL
    • MDA or VDO or PHO
    • ILS or GRA
  • 3 credits of Mathematics (M 110, 112, 114, or 116)
  • 6 credits in academic writing (WRT 110 and 111)
  • 12 credits in Art History (ART)
  • 12–13 credits from the All University Curriculum

Career Ready

Cindy Lau illustration major

Cindy Lau ‘16 currently works at Taylor Design as a print and interactive designer. She produces work for corporations, universities, and local businesses. Her projects rotate on a daily basis between branding, print design, UI/UX, prototyping, and illustrating for clients. Previously, she worked at ESPN as a motion graphics designer on the creative services team, where she made graphics and animations for SportsCenter, His & Hers, and Mike & Mike.

Student Work

Illustration Faculty

Our illustration program is helmed by some of the best professionals in the field. They are extraordinary in the classroom, and recognized as practicing artists in their own right. Learn a little more about them now, and meet them in person when you visit during any of our events, tours, or portfolio review appointment.

Illustration

David Calabrese
Associate Professor of Illustration
Illustration

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Kelly Light
Visiting Assistant Professor of Illustration; recipient of Hartford Art School Fellowship
Illustration

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Bill Thomson
Professor
MFA Illustration
Illustration

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Carol Schwartz
Assistant Professor of Illustration
Illustration

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Admission Requirements

There are a few ways students can apply for admission to Hartford Art School, all of which require a portfolio review. Visit our admissions section for step-by-step guidance, and remember that you can always give us a call. We’re here to help with any questions you may have.

Jackie Roche

BFA Illustration, 2009

Jackie Roche is a freelance cartoonist and illustrator in Chicago, Illinois, specializing in nonfiction history and journalism comics. She works both independently and in collaboration with writers and journalists. She is currently working with a journalist on a book about the Syrian refugee crisis.

“My education at the Hartford Art School and the University of Hartford gave me a multidisciplinary foundation that I use daily while researching, writing, illustrating, solving problems, and giving and receiving constructive criticism.”

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