MA Art & Design
The MA Art & Design program at CSVPA is a one-year, intensive postgraduate course d...
MA Visual Communication: Illustration & Animation
Cambridge
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The MA Visual Communication: Illustration & Animation program at CSVPA is a one-year, full-time postgraduate course designed to enable students to explore and advance their creative practice in both illustration and animation as powerful forms of visual communication. The program encourages experimentation, critical thinking, and the development of innovative visual narratives across a range of media and techniques. It culminates in a significant final project and a professional portfolio showcasing the student's individual artistic style and storytelling capabilities in both disciplines.
Curriculum: The MA Visual Communication: Illustration & Animation curriculum at CSVPA is project-based, encouraging students to engage with diverse briefs that challenge their creative and conceptual thinking in both illustration and animation. The program emphasizes the importance of research, narrative development, character design, sequential storytelling, and the effective use of visual language. Students explore various aspects of illustration, including drawing, painting, digital techniques, and visual metaphor, alongside animation principles, character animation, storyboarding, and motion graphics. The curriculum also incorporates workshops, seminars, and critiques to foster technical proficiency, critical analysis, and peer learning across both disciplines.
Research Focus: The MA Visual Communication: Illustration & Animation program at CSVPA is underpinned by a research-informed approach to visual storytelling. Students are encouraged to conduct both visual and contextual research to inform their narrative development, character design, and stylistic choices in both illustration and animation. The program emphasizes the critical analysis of existing visual narratives and the exploration of innovative storytelling methodologies within both fields. Self-initiated projects allow students to delve deeper into areas of personal interest and contribute to the evolving discourse within illustration and animation as forms of visual communication.
Industry Engagement: A key feature of the MA Visual Communication: Illustration & Animation program at CSVPA is its strong connection to the creative industries. The program benefits from guest lectures by practicing illustrators and animators, industry visits to studios and production houses, and opportunities for collaborative projects and live briefs. This exposure to professional practice provides students with valuable insights into the demands and expectations of the illustration and animation industries, helping them to develop a professional network and prepare for their future careers in these dynamic fields.
Global Perspective: While based in the UK, the MA Visual Communication: Illustration & Animation program at CSVPA attracts a diverse international student body, fostering a rich multicultural learning environment. The program encourages students to consider the global context of visual storytelling, exploring international styles, cultural influences on narrative, and the challenges of communicating with diverse audiences through illustration and animation. The development of a strong professional portfolio also prepares graduates for opportunities within the international illustration and animation community.
Location
Cambridge
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
£ 28995
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 60% or equivalent.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7.0 with no individual component below 6.0.
- Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts (CSVPA) is supporting talented international students through a variety of scholarship opportunities. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic excellence, creative potential, and to make quality education more accessible for students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: CSVPA offers merit-based scholarships that reward students with outstanding academic records or exceptional creative portfolios. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition fees and are awarded based on the quality of the student’s previous work and achievements.
Creative Talent Scholarships: Recognizing the importance of artistic ability, CSVPA provides scholarships specifically for students who demonstrate exceptional talent in visual arts, performing arts, design, or related fields. Applicants are usually required to submit a portfolio or audition as part of the selection process.
Financial Need Scholarships: Some scholarships are allocated to students who demonstrate genuine financial need. These aim to support talented individuals who might otherwise face challenges funding their education abroad.
An MA in Visual Communication: Illustration & Animation from CSVPA equips graduates with advanced visual storytelling skills and a versatile understanding of both disciplines, opening doors to a wide array of creative careers within the visual communication landscape. The program's emphasis on individual artistic voice and industry relevance prepares graduates to be innovative and adaptable professionals.
Illustrator (Freelance or In-House): Creating visual imagery for books, magazines, advertising, packaging, and various other media, developing a distinct artistic style.
Animator (2D/3D): Bringing characters and stories to life through movement for film, television, commercials, video games, and online content.
Character Designer: Developing the visual appearance and personality of characters for animation, video games, and illustration projects.
Storyboard Artist: Visually planning the sequence of scenes and shots for animation, film, and commercials.
Motion Graphics Artist: Creating animated visuals and visual effects for websites, videos, presentations, and broadcast media.
Children's Book Illustrator/Author: Combining illustration and storytelling skills to create engaging books for young audiences.
Visual Development Artist (Animation/Games): Contributing to the overall visual style and aesthetic of animation or video game productions, including concept art and environment design.
Art Director (Illustration/Animation Focus): Overseeing the visual direction and style of illustration or animation projects, guiding teams of artists.
Animation Director: Leading the creative vision and technical execution of animation projects, from concept to final production.
Freelance Illustrator/Animator: Building their own creative practice, taking on diverse projects for various clients across both illustration and animation.
