Children's Book Illustration
MA
Intermediate award(s): PG Dip, PG CertNadia Shireen
MA Children's Book Illustration
“Anglia Ruskin was the first institution to offer an MA in Children's Book Illustration. During my research it became clear that as well as being innovative, the course was also well respected.
I didn't realise at the time quite how much the course would affect my life! The course forced me to take my drawing seriously for the first time, which has in turn made me reassess my work and what I want to do in the future. The tutors all shared a commitment to bringing the best out of every student. I found them supportive, encouraging and honest. It is vital to be open to criticism in order to get the most out of the course. There's a real passion for the subject from the teaching staff that is highly infectious.
The course works closely with the publishing industry, which is invaluable for aspiring illustrators. A team from Egmont Publishing regularly visited us, and gave us insight into the ever-changing landscape of the industry, as well as personal feedback on our work. The graduation show in London was attended by talent-spotters from all of the major publishing houses, which I think is a testament to the reputation of the course. At the graduation show I was approached by several publishers, and have signed to Random House Picture Books for a two-book deal. For now at least, I've managed to quit the day job and am working full time on writing and illustrating books for children - a dream come true! My experience at Anglia Ruskin will help me in my new career every day. It's hard to quantify the impact learning and growing in a supportive environment has had on me.”
Course overview
Illustration at Cambridge School of Art (CSA) has recently been declared one of our University's 'areas of proven excellence'.It is built on a tradition which goes back 150 years to the founding of CSA. Notable alumni include designer and war artist Edward Bawden; acclaimed graphic satirist Ronald Searle; and the founders of the TV phenomenon Spitting Image, Roger Law and Peter Fluck. The success of numerous undergraduates in this field led to the founding of this specialist, studio-practice-based MA, which is the first of its kind in the UK.
Interest in the art of illustration for children has grown considerably in recent years. Our UK heritage is particularly strong going back to early chapbooks, through Thomas Bewick, Walter Crane, Randolph Caldecott, the 'golden age' of Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulac, and through the 20th century with Edward Ardizzone and Quentin Blake. Blake is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from our University.
The increasingly global nature of today's children's publishing industry is reflected in the research and practice of the staff team.
The MA in Children's Book Illustration is a taught studio course that focuses on the creative development and direction of each student artist. The teaching is delivered primarily by internationally recognised artists, writers and publishers who work professionally in the field of children's books. Each module requires you to propose and develop a project through negotiation with tutors, within the broad parameters of the module definition. One-to-one tutorial support is seen as a key element of the student experience along with group critiques, briefings and seminars.
Additional course information
The staff team:- Martin Salisbury (Course Leader): Freelance book illustrator and course founder (2000). Author of the acclaimed 'Illustrating Children's Books' (A&C Black, 2004).
- John Lawrence (Visiting Professor): One of the UK's most highly respected illustrators, Lawrence has illustrated around 200 books in a career spanning over fifty years.
- Pam Smy: Illustrator of numerous books including 'Follow the Swallow' with Gruffalo author, Julia Donaldson.
Other contributing staff:
- David Hughes: Hughes' brilliant draughtsmanship has won him numerous UK and International awards. Renowned for his editorial work, he is also a prolific author-illustrator of children's books under his pseudonym, Sandy Turner.
- James Mayhew: Mayhew's 'Katie' books have sold over a million copies around the world. He has also illustrated and written books on themes of opera, ballet and folk tales.
- Helen Stephens: One of the most highly regarded young author/illustrators working in the UK today.
- Morag Styles: Reader in Children's Literature at Cambridge University. Author of numerous books on visual texts for children Egmont UK: Staff on the editorial and design side of children's publishing at Egmont contribute regularly to the delivery of the programme in a unique collaboration.
- Alexis Deacon: Author-illustrator of award-winning picturebooks such as Slow Loris and Beegu, Deacon is one of the most admired of the new generation of illustrators for children. Paula Metcalf: A graduate of this course herself, Paula's picturebooks are published in numerous languages and have recently been featured on TV. The Royal Literary Fund Fellow, Department of English is available for tutorials on creative and academic writing.
Module guide
Core modules
Observation and Experiment
This module constitutes a foundation for our course. Focusing on drawing, you will propose and execute a thematic drawing project exploring a subject through observation and imagination. There is no requirement for the visual work to be consciously aimed at an audience of a particular age group. This reflects the course ethos of the importance of developing a visual language as an artist rather than pursuing preconceived notions of stylistic appropriateness. Supporting lecture programme.
The Sequential Image (30 credits)
You will propose and design a project that is presented in sequential visual form. Workshops and seminars will examine and discuss how we read visual sequence. Outcomes do not have to be aimed at children at this stage but must communicate clearly in sequential form. Supporting lecture programme.
The Diploma Project (30 credits)
You will propose and negotiate a completed visual statement, designed to communicate with a child audience of a stated age group. Projects can vary greatly in form of outcome to include, for example, picture books, animated films, series of posters, portfolios of illustrations, and fiction or non-fiction texts for older children. Outcomes may be in any form or medium. Supporting lecture programme.
The Diploma Review (30 credits)
As the major written element of our course, you will propose and negotiate a 6,000-8,000 word essay, which places your own visual practice in the historical and contemporary context of the discipline. You will reflect on your practice, exploring personal influences and aspects of the industry that are of particular interest, historically or theoretically. The purpose of this module is to bring a more informed and reflective aspect to personal creative practice. Supporting lecture programme.
Masters Stage Project (60 credits)
This is the final, summative project, the successful completion of which leads to the Masters award. You will negotiate and propose a substantial creative visual project which you will undertake with a mixture of scheduled group teaching and individual tutorial support. Projects will vary greatly in nature and form but will be sequential and will 'speak' to the child.
Assessment
Assessment of the first three studio modules is weighted 80% on the visual submission and 20% on the essay produced in relation to the series of contextual study lectures that run each semester.The diploma review thesis is assessed 100% on the 6,000-8,000 word essay. The Masters-stage project is assessed 90% on the body of visual work and 10% on the written project report. Work is normally handed in for assessment within two weeks of the final taught session of each semester.
Facilities
There are dedicated illustration studios just off the Ruskin Gallery and a fully equipped printmaking studio.Special features
Our course features field trips and group excursions such as the Bologna Children's Book Fair. Teaching staff on our course are researchers affiliated to our University's research institute: the Centre for Children's Book Studies.In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) for art & design, 70% of our research work was 'internationally recognised', 'internationally excellent' or, in some cases, 'world-leading'. As a result, our income from the RAE to support our research is double our 2002 allocation.
Links with industry and professional recognition
The course has built strong links with the children's publishing industry. The annual London graduation exhibition, which takes place in a leading West End gallery in February, is attended by representatives of most leading publishing companies and literary agencies. A more formal partnership exists between the course and Egmont UK, who work regularly with our students and provide work-experience visits to their London offices.Associated careers
Graduates of our course tend to aim for freelance careers as authors or illustrators for children. Our course has an outstanding record of success in this area. Among the internationally published recent graduates are Paula Metcalf, Lis Evans, Sam McCullen, Carol Liddiment, Pam Smy, Algy Hall, Anna Wadham and Kazuno Kohara.How to apply
Faculty
Faculty of Arts, Law & Social SciencesLocation
- Cambridge
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