VAGD102 Illustration - Drawing and Digital

Department of The Arts: Graphic Design and Illustration

I. Course Number and Title
VAGD102 Illustration - Drawing and Digital
II. Number of Credits
3 credits
III. Number of Instructional Minutes
IV. Prerequisites
VAMM100 (C or better) and VAFA100 (C or better) or the permission of the Department of the Arts
V. Other Pertinent Information
The student will work an equal amount of time outside of class each week for research, in the computer lab, or at home.
VI. Catalog Course Description
This course introduces drawing strategies, concepts, and specialized illustration techniques used by designers and illustrators. Students create illustrations in both traditional and digital formats. Emphasis is on realistic modeling approaches and rendering skills, as well as expressive and historical perspectives that an illustrator-designer must have.
VII. Required Course Content and Direction
  1. Course Learning Goals

    Students will be able to:

    1. develop specialized drawing skills that can be applied in the fields of illustration and graphic design;
    2. apply rendering techniques for achieving effective visual representation in illustration;
    3. apply illustrative composition techniques to depict light, shadow, and the human form;
    4. create a visual-verbal connection between the content and the image using traditional and/or digital media;
    5. modify, enhance, and deliver digital illustrations; and
  2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities

    1. plan and design illustrations that
      1. consider historical and contemporary perspectives
      2. practice modeling techniques
      3. depict a variety of themes and genre
      4. combine imagery and text
      5. apply the vocabulary of illustration
      6. examine the tools and media associated with illustration
    2. apply illustration techniques to
      1. draw the costumed figure
      2. depict expression -- faces, hands, and feet
      3. simulate figures in action
      4. express verbal/visual relationships
      5. create pictorial, graphic, and symbolic representation
      6. develop conceptual representation skills
      7. create the illusion of space
    3. apply the methods and procedures used in production, including
      1. theme development
      2. visual rendering techniques
      3. preparation of projects for both traditional and digital media
  3. Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals


    Departmentally-selected text(s) on illustration techniques will be required. Students will also be required to do research and reading on relevant topics, using library resources, current trade publications, and Internet searches. See course syllabus.
