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Illustration Certificate


The Illustration Certificate is a cumulative experience of six required illustrations courses. Each course represents a unique approach to the illustration discipline, including the business of illustration and professional practices for the industry. The combination of courses is intended to give students the knowledge and skill set to augment their major and/or consider a career as a freelance illustrator.


What can I do with this certificate?

This Illustration Certificate is the only one of its kind in the Northwest. Years ago, when the industry experienced a digital revolution, the illustration industry declined. Nearly all the illustration majors in the country dropped their curriculum and a vast majority of the illustrators were left to retool. Since then, there has been a resurgence of illustration technique and skill needs in industry.

Students may utilize the skillset to augment their existing design or art portfolios to work in the industry or may elect to secure a job that requires an illustrative skill set. Others may elect to opt for self-employment – securing freelance clients in the advertising, marketing or publishing industries.


Admissions
Students must complete five of the following illustration course offerings (15 credits):
DSGN347 Illustration Methods
DSGN348 Visual Concepts in Illustration
DSGN349 Introduction to Animation Techniques
DSGN357 Narrative Illustration
DSGN358 Digital Methods for Illustrators
DSGN367 Commercial Illustration Concepts
Required Course (3 credits):
DSGN368 Professional Practices for Illustrators
Total Certificate: 6 courses / 18 credits

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s certificate courses, and supporting courses for certificates. For Design majors, the Illustration Certificate may substitute the minor requirement. Please contact Andrea Heimer, Illustration Certificate Coordinator, for declaration requirements: heimera@wwu.edu.

Illustration Certificate Faculty

Andrea Heimer
Andrea Heimer
Illustration Certificate Coordinator
Jes Bonin
Jes le Bon (Bonin)
Adjunct Professor
Brad Lockhart
Brad Lockhart
Adjunct Professor
Phoebe Wahl
Phoebe Wahl
Adjunct Professor

"The illustration courses I took offered a wonderful opportunity to learn about the industry from an actual professional while creating work relevant to my personal style and career goals."


— Miranda Ward, Studio Art, Class of 2019
Op Ed illustration
black and white illustration of women