Robert Dorsey, Undergraduate Program Director
585-475-2640, rldffa@rit.edu
Program overview
The illustration major prepares students for a variety of careers within the visual communications field. The major provides an educational environment that supports the creative development of students and helps them to achieve their individual goals. Course work emphasizes traditional drawing and painting skills, the application of the latest digital media, and the use of dimensional media. Students learn conceptual skills, professional practices, and narrative story telling techniques while developing an individual style. These techniques and styles are then applied to produce illustrations suitable for advertising, publishing, editorial, and the service and gaming/entertainment industries.
Electives
Students may select electives that enhance their studies or allow them to pursue an area of personal or professional interest. Electives are available in graphic design, illustration, graphic visualization, industrial design, interior design, fine arts studio, environmental design, ceramics, glass, metals, textiles, woodworking, film making, photography, and imaging technology. To be eligible for these electives, students must complete the foundation program or have the permission of the instructor. Additional selections are offered as special topics courses.
Curriculum
Illustration, BFA degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| FDTN-111 | Drawing I | 3 |
| FDTN-112 | Drawing II | 3 |
| FDTN-121 | 2D Design I | 3 |
| FDTN-131 | 3D Design I | 3 |
| ILLS-206 | 2D Composition and Color | 3 |
| ILLS-209 | 3D Applications: The Figure | 3 |
| ARTH-135 | LAS Perspective 2 (artistic): History of Western Art: Ancient to Medieval | 3 |
| ARTH-136 | LAS Perspective 3 (global): History of Western Art: Renaissance to Modern | 3 |
| ACSC-010 | Year One | 0 |
| First Year Writing | 3 | |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 5 (natural science inquiry) | ||
| LAS Perspective 6 (scientific principles) | ||
| LAS Perspective 7 (mathematical) | ||
| Second Year | ||
| ILLS-213 | Illustration I | 3 |
| ILLS-214 | Anatomic Illustration | 3 |
| ILLS-218 | Dimensional Illustration I | 3 |
| ILLS-219 | Digital Illustration I | 3 |
| Art History Elective† | 3 | |
| Illustration Core Courses | 9 | |
| CAD Studio Electives‡ | 6 | |
| Illustration Professional Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 1 (ethical) | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 4 (social) | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| ILLS-313 | Illustration II | 3 |
| Illustration Professional Electives | 12 | |
| CAD Studio Elective‡ | 3 | |
| Art History Elective† | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 1 (WI), 2 | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| ILLS-413 | Illustration III | 3 |
| ILLS-501 | Illustration Portfolio (WI) | 3 |
| Illustration Professional Electives | 6 | |
| CAD Studio Electives‡ | 6 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 | |
Please see General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two different Wellness courses.
† Art history electives are non-studio courses offered in the College of Art and Design or the College of Liberal Arts that examine the historical aspects of art, design, crafts, photography, print media, or film.
‡ Studio elective courses are those designated with studio/lab contact hours listed in the course description.
Illustration professional electives
| Course | |
|---|---|
| ILLS-319 | Digital Illustration II |
| ILLS-358 | Dimensional Illustration II |
| ILLS-359 | Illustrative Design |
| ILLS-368 | Pop-up Books |
| ILLS-364 | Editorial Illustration |
| ILLS-369 | Digital Mixed Media |
| ILLS-461 | Illustration History |
| ILLS-462 | Journalistic Illustration |
| ILLS-465 | Book Illustration |
| ILLS-466 | Personal Focus |
| ILLS-467 | Animating Digital Illustration |
| ILLS-468 | Fantastic Illustration |
| ILLS-472 | Sketchbook Illustration |
| ILLS-477 | Caricature Illustration |
| ILLS-482 | Political Cartooning |
| ILLS-498 | Illustration Internship |
| ILLS-550 | Topics in Illustration |
| ILLS-563 | Zoological and Botanical Illustration |
| ILLS-569 | Advertising Illustration |
| ILLS-579 | Digital Editorial |
| ILLS-599 | Illustration Independent Study |
Admission requirements
Freshmen Admission
For all bachelor’s degree programs, a strong performance in a college preparatory program is expected. Generally, this includes 4 years of English, 3-4 years of mathematics, 2-3 years of science, and 3 years of social studies and/or history.
Specific math and science requirements and other recommendations
- Studio art experience and a portfolio of original artwork are required for all programs in the schools of Art and Design.
- A portfolio must be submitted. View Portfolio Guidelines for more information.
SAT (EBRW+M)
1160 - 1320
ACT Composite
25-31
Transfer Admission
Transfer course recommendations without associate degree
Courses in studio art, art history, and liberal arts. A portfolio of original artwork is required to determine admissions, studio art credit, and year level in the program. View Portfolio Guidelines for more information.
Appropriate associate degree programs for transfer
Related programs or studio art experience in desired disciplines. A portfolio of original artwork is required to determine admissions, studio art credit, and year level in the program. View Portfolio Guidelines for more information. Summer courses can lead to third-year status in most programs.
Quarter Curriculum - For Reference Only
Effective fall 2013, RIT converted its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. The following content has been made available as reference only. Currently matriculated students who began their academic programs in quarters should consult their academic adviser for guidance and course selection.
Program overview
Illustration majors solve communication problems by translating concepts and ideas into images. They study traditional and electronic media and design to prepare themselves for their professional goals.
Curriculum
Semester conversion
Effective fall 2013, RIT will convert its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. Each program and its associated courses have been sent to the New York State Department of Education for approval of the semester plan. For reference, the following charts illustrate the typical course sequence for this program in both quarters and semesters. Students should consult their academic advisers with questions regarding planning and course selection.
Illustration, BFA degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 2013-215 | Foundation Vector Imaging | 1 |
| 2013-216 | Foundation Raster Imaging | 1 |
| Freshman Electives | 6 | |
| 2013-211, 212, 213 | Drawing I, II, III | 9 |
| 2013-231, 232, 233 | 2D Design I, II, III | 9 |
| 2013-241, 242, 243 | 3D Design I, II, III | 9 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| 1720-050, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| 2039-225, 226, 227 | Survey of Western Art and Architecture I, II, III | 9 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| 2019-301 | Illustration I | 3 |
| 2019-306 | Head, Hands, Facial Expressions | 3 |
| 2019-311 | Digital Illustration I | 3 |
| 2019-345 | Illustration Techniques I | 3 |
| 2019-361 | Dimensional Illustration I | 3 |
| Studio Electives | 9 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Art History Electives§ | 9 | |
| Studio Electives | 6 | |
| Open Elective | 3-4 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Major courses | 12 | |
| Program electives | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 18-24 | |
| 2019-513 | Illustration Marketing and Business | 3 |
| 2019-563 | Portfolio Preparation | 3 |
| Major courses | 15 | |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 191 | |
* Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information.
† Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
§ Please refer to the list of art history electives.
Illustration, BFA degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| LAS Foundation 1: First-Year Seminar | 3 | |
| ARTH-135 | LAS Perspective 1: Survey of Western Art and Architecture I | 3 |
| FDTN-111 | Drawing I | 3 |
| FDTN-121 | 2D Design I | 3 |
| FDTN-131 | 3D Design I | 3 |
| ENGL-150 | LAS Foundation 2: Writing Seminar | 3 |
| ARTH-136 | LAS Perspective 2: Survey of Western Art and Architecture 2 | 3 |
| FDTN-112 | Drawing 2 | 3 |
| FDTN-122 | 2D Design 2 | 3 |
| FDTN-141 | 4D Design I | 3 |
| Second Year | ||
| LAS Perspective 3, 4 | 6 | |
| Art History Elective† | 3 | |
| Illustration Core Courses§ (SMTL) | 12 | |
| Studio Electives‡ | 6 | |
| Illustration Elective** | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| LAS Immersion 1, 2 | 6 | |
| ILLS-313 | Illustration II | 3 |
| Illustration Electives** | 12 | |
| Studio Elective‡ | 3 | |
| Art History Elective† | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| ILLS-413 | Illustration III | 3 |
| Illustration Electives** | 6 | |
| Studio Electives‡ | 6 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| LAS Elective (SMTL) | 3 | |
| ILLS-501 | Illustration Portfolio (WI) | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
(SMTL) Refers to science, math, technical literacy requirement.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
† Illustration students are required to take 6 credit hours of art history electives.
‡Studio elective courses are those designated with studio/lab contact hours listed in the course description.
§ Illustration core courses include Illustration I (ILLS-213), Anatomical Illustration (ILLS-214), Digital Illustration I (ILLS-219), and Dimensional Illustration I (ILLS 218).
** Illustration electives includeDigital Illustration II (ILLS-319), Dimensional Illustration II (ILLS-358), Illustrative Design (ILLS-359), Editorial Illustration (ILLS-364), Digital Mixed Media (ILLS-369), Zoological and Botanical Illustration (ILLS-363), Digital Editorial (ILLS-379), Pop-Up Books (ILLS-368), Journalistic Illustration (ILLS-462), Illustration History (ILLS-461), Book Illustration (ILLS-465), Advertising Illustration (ILLS-469), Personal Focus (ILLS-466), Animating Digital Illustration (ILLS-467), Sketchbook Illustration (ILLS-472), Caricature Illustration (ILLS-477), Political Cartooning (ILLS-482), Fantastic Illustration (ILLS-468), Illustration Co-op (ILLS-499), Illustration Internship (ILLS-498), Illustration Independent Study (ILLS-599)
Electives
Students have the opportunity to select electives that enhance their studies or allow them to pursue an area of personal or professional interest. Electives are available in the following areas: graphic design, illustration, graphic visualization, industrial design, interior design, fine arts studio, environmental design, ceramics, glass, metals, textiles, woodworking, filmmaking, photography, and imaging technology. To be eligible for these electives, students must complete the foundation program or have the permission of the instructor. Additional selections are offered as special topics courses.
Art history electives
Students are required to select three art history electives to broaden their understanding of the historical development of the arts. Art history electives include:
2039-300 History of Design
2039-306 Architecture Interior and Furniture Design I
2039-307 Architecture Interior and Furniture Design II
2039-308 Architecture Interior and Furniture Design III
2039-310 History of Crafts
2039-315 Pre-Columbian Art
2039-316 Florence and Rome 1400-1470
2039-317 Florence and Rome 1470-1520
2039-318 Florence and Rome 1520-1590
2039-320 History of Art Criticism
2039-330 Philosophy in Art
2039-340 Symbols and Symbol Making
2039-355 Latin American Art
2039-360 18th and 19th Century Art
2039-368 Scandinavian Modernism
2039-375 20th Century Art Since 1950
2039-376 Renaissance Painting in Flanders
2039-385 Installation Art
2039-390 Native American Art and Culture
2039-395 Theory and Criticism of 20th Century Art
2039-410 The Art of Art History
2039-415 Thinking About Making
2039-425 Public Art/Public Spaces
2039-430 Dada and Surrealism
2039-433 What Is Post Modernism?
2039-435 Art of the Last Decade
2039-438 Body in Art
2039-440 Conceptual Art
2039-443 Art and Technology: From the Machine Aesthetic to the Cyborg Age
2039-452 Art and Activism
2039-459 Art Central Italy 1250-1400
2039-469 Baroque Rome