In addition to studies in their program major, all of our students puruse a well-rounded education in foundational design, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Art History, and interdisciplinary and special studies.
Here are the course requirements for this major:
KCIL 120 – Introduction to Illustration – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCFN 110, KCFN 131 or KCDS 142
A survey of contemporary and historical illustration techniques and movements. Career options will be covered, along with the fundamentals of composition and color, the application of media, and the basic elements of picture making.
KCIL 203 – Special Topics in Illustration – 1 to 3 Credits
KCIL 222 – Three Dimensional Illustration – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCFN 132 or KCDS 143, sophomore standing
Introduction to the techniques, tools, and the personal expression in sculptural illustration.
KCIL 234 – Illustration II – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCIL 120
Exploration of color media and processes within specific illustration assignments. Problem solving is encouraged through creative investigation.
KCIL 242 – Rendering – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCIL 234, KCPH 120
A drawing and painting course in super realism using various media.
KCIL 252 – Watercolor for Illustrators – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCIL 120, KCIL 234 or program consent
A course in watercolor using various themes linking text and image.
KCIL 291 – Illustration Painting I – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCFN 112, KCFN 132, KCIL 234
Painting illustrative subject matter using fundamental water-based painting techniques.
KCIL 292 – Illustration Painting II – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCIL 291
A more advanced course in water-based painting media whose subject matter will include various illustration genres: editorial, advertising, corporate and institutional, book, and scientific.
KCIL 305 – Illustration Professional Practices – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCIL 120, KCIL 241 or KCDM 241
Students will study current illustration markets, learn essential business practices and create the printed collateral necessary for doing business as an illustrator.
KCIL 306 – Sequential Art and Illustration – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCFN 132 or KCDS 143, junior standing
Students will learn to create storyboards, comics or graphic novels for print media, using a combination of traditional and digital techniques.
KCIL 317 – Illustrating International Literature – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCIL 234, KCIL 323, faculty recommendation or approval of instructor
Co-requisites: KCHU 317
Students must be enrolled in KCHU 317, International Literature, to be admitted into this course. Reading assignments from KCHU 317, International Literature, will be used to explore the parallels between literature and the visual arts. Appropriate, creative illustration solutions will result from this research.
KCIL 323 – Illustration Life Drawing III – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCFA 222
Advanced study of the human figure, especially in relation to the needs of the illustrator, with emphasis on construction, composition, movement, and interpretation of the clothed and costumed figure in various media.
KCIL 324 – Illustration Life Drawing IV – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCIL 323
Personal expression as a means of figurative illustration. Color, form, and light will be explored through various media and methods.
KCIL 326 – Contemporary Fashion Illustration – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCFN 132 or KCDS 143, junior standing
Students will study the illustration of contemporary fashions, designs and accessories as well as research the work of current fashion illustrators. Course work will include practical techniques of fashion illustration along with experimentation with various media.
KCIL 330 – Children’s Book Design and Illustration – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCFN 132 or KCDS 143, junior standing
Professional practices and techniques of children’s book and magazine illustrators, from concepting to the execution of comprehensives, and final artwork. Strategies on portfolio set-up, locating the market, interviews with publishers, copyright laws, and the legal rights of the artist and author will be discussed.
KCIL 333 – Illustration as Social Criticism – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCIL 222, KCIL 234
The creation and rendering of various graphic editorial forms associated with current event commentary. Also includes a history of the art of social commentary, its contemporary impact, and the artists’ role in its creation.
KCIL 335 – Illustration III – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCIL 234, KCIL 323
Concept development and creative problem solving using relevant illustration media and techniques.
KCIL 336 – Illustration IV – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCIL 335, KCIL 241 or KCDM 241
The creation of illustrations based on research of professional styles and markets.
KCIL 341 – Airbrush Rendering – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCIL 234, KCIL 323, or sophomore status in all other majors.
Introduces the fundamentals of airbrush illustration through practice and historical study. Black and white rendering of a variety of studies will lead to full color assignments.
KCIL 399 – Independent Study:Illustration – 1 to 3 Credits
Prerequisites: 3.0 GPA, junior/senior standing
KCIL 400 – Special Problems:Illustration – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: 3.0 GPA, junior/senior standing
KCIL 402 – Internship:Illustration – 1 to 9 Credits
Prerequisites: 3.0 GPA, junior/senior standing
KCIL 403 – Seminar in Illustration – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: Upper-level students
Seminar dealing with special interests in illustration.
KCIL 442 – Graphic Design for the Illustrator – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCIL 305
Students will learn graphic design and production processes for print media, using a combination of traditional and digital techniques.
KCIL 460 – Illustration Portfolio I – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCIL 336
Preparation of a professional quality illustration portfolio based on individual style and market research.
KCIL 461 – Illustration Portfolio II – 3 Credits
Prerequisites: KCIL 336, KCIL 460
A continuation of the development and refinement of the student’s graduation portfolio.