School of Arts and Sciences
Department of Visual & Performing Arts
Bachelor of Arts in Illustration
Illustrators are an important part of the world; they bring a unique beauty to all they create and inspire us to imagine a world full of endless possibilities.
Program Overview
To be successful within this program, you must possess an exceptional drawing ability. Because we want you to have every opportunity to develop your skills, CUW has partnered with the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) to create the illustration bachelor’s degree. Your 15 credits that take place at MIAD allow you to use the very latest in illustration concepts and technologies. Most of your classes (all core requirements, over half major requirements, and your minor) will be taught right on the CUW campus. You will experiment with both digital and physical illustration mediums to develop your own unique illustration style. Because aspiring illustrators need to distinguish themselves in the workplace, we recommend choosing a compatible minor in business or marketing.
What to Expect
Illustration is a very competitive field, demanding excellent drawing skills and the ability to produce images quickly and meet firm deadlines. You can anticipate this same rigour during your time as a student. Faculty will expect you to spend a substantial amount of each day on observational drawing to improve your technical abilities. A great deal of patience, self-discipline, and dedication will be asked of you. Upon graduation, you will be well-equipped to create both physical and digital drawings for books, magazines, websites, and other media.
Concentrations / Specializations
This degree is also available as a minor.
