Your style – at the highest possible professional level
Artists who work as illustrators develop a strong, personal style in their images and use it to support the communication needs of a wide variety of clients. One of the best ways to become an illustrator, and learn the requirements of the field, is to study with working professionals.

Pennsylvania College of Art & Design's illustration faculty regularly produce work for newspapers, magazines, children's and other book publishers, advertising and graphic design agencies, corporations, state historical commissions and the entertainment and tourism industries.

As an illustration major at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, you can expect this faculty to guide you through a curriculum emphasizing strong concepts and solid drawing skills. Industry techniques from the manual to electronic and photographic are also taught. This balance of conceptual and technical courses will help you accurately find your own style and develop it to the highest possible professional level.

Illustrators need to meet this industry's high professional standards as soon as they graduate. At Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, illustration majors frequently compete to produce professional assignments for clients brought to class by faculty. You will be required to enter national competitions and given the opportunity to take on professional assignments in your senior year. Illustration is overwhelmingly a freelance field which makes producing work for actual clients the most valuable type of internships illustration students can have. And finally, courses in the business of illustration and portfolio preparation give you the information you need to take advantage of the jobs you will soon be getting on your own.

Freelance illustration opportunities include:
Book covers
CD jackets
Technical publications
Newspaper editorials
Magazine articles
Greeting cards
Textbooks
Animation
Advertising
Posters
Children's books
Postage stamps
Annual reports
Catalogs and instructional manuals
Wildlife

Here's a look at a small sampling of the clients and companies where Pennsylvania College of Art & Design grads have shared their talents.

Find out more about our BFA Programs or contact college admissions to schedule a visit.