- Location
- Cardonald Campus
- SCQF Level
- 8
- Start Date
- 28 Aug 2023
- Qualification Type
- HND
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 2 Years (August to June)
This course is now full. Applications for August 2024 courses will reopen in January 2024.
This HND Illustration course will give you the opportunity to explore the creative and diverse world of Illustration through editorial and publishing, to storyboarding and character design. You will be introduced to different ways of working, where you will combine old and new techniques, bringing together digital and the handmade.
What will I learn?
The HND Illustration course comprises a mix of units, which contain a series of projects, workshops and discussions. You will be able to experiment and explore a variety of outcomes that introduce the key skills necessary to set out in the pursuit of a career as an illustrator and to ensure that you are employment ready.
This course is delivered by a dedicated team of professionals with a breadth of experience within the creative industries who will encourage your progress.
We have strong relationships with Higher Education institutes throughout Scotland and across the United Kingdom, with many of our students successfully gaining direct entry places into university.
For examples of our student work and our blog visit: HND Illustration Showcase or our Instagram
In year one you will study:
- Mixed media
- Life drawing (clothed and unclothed)
- Digital imaging
- Art and design context
- Art and design project
- Printmaking and producing print
- Typography
- Illustration
- Specialist Illustration
- Graded unit 1.
In year two you will study:
- Animation: An intro
- Developmental drawing portfolio
- Mixed media portfolio
- Illustration project
- Printmaking in multiple layers
- Developmental drawing portfolio
- 3D
- Digital imaging project
- Graphic design project
- Graded unit 2.
Entry requirements (minimum)
Year 1
- One Higher Art and Design at C level or above,
- Applications will be considered from those that do not meet the academic requirements if they can demonstrate experience in drawing.
- Relevant National Qualification.
Entry requirement equivalency table
If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Employer and industry links
As a higher education/freelance employment-focused department, we engage actively with our stakeholders to ensure that we deliver the right content for our students who move into Higher Education or freelance employment. Visiting various commercial printers gives our students purposeful hands-on experience in the technical set-up and printing of illustrative work. Talks from freelance illustrators reinforce the curriculum delivery by introducing demanding briefs that creatively implement both digital and traditional skillsets. We also work with contemporary writers who present live briefs, competitions with technical implementation of professional artwork ready for print.
Articulation Routes
BA Hons Graphic Design Glasgow Clyde College - subject knowledge and understanding of Typography essential
University of the West of Scotland
Jobs and further study
Further study in Illustration, animation, digital art could lead to working in the creative industries as an Illustrator for the publishing and design industries such as children’s book publishing, editorial, packaging, animation industry, textiles, the games industry, arts and crafts commissions, education and community arts.
Further Study
University of the Arts London (UAL), University of Manchester School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art (Edinburgh University), Edinburgh Napier University, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Highlands and Islands, University of Creative Arts
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
I've applied — what happens next?
When you apply you will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM/junk folder if you do not hear from us).
If you meet the entry requirements, you will receive an offer of a place on the course and be invited to a face-to-face information session, where you will be given additional information about your course, have a tour of the facilities and meet the staff. It is essential that you attend this session.
Offer of a place - definitions
- An unconditional place - you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed.
- A conditional place - your place is secured pending meeting the entry requirements.
- Waiting list - you have met all entry requirements however; the course is full. If any spaces become available, you are contacted usually around the course start date.
- Unsuccessful - you have not met the entry requirements for this course but will be offered a place on our Foundation in Fashion and Textiles.