Art, Illustration Concentration, B.A.

Student in an art class with a bulletin board of colorful student prints behind him.

Illustration Concentration: Crafting Visual Stories for Diverse Artistic Careers

The Illustration Concentration is designed for Art majors who are interested in pursuing a career in illustration or preparing for graduate study in the field. This concentration provides broad-based training in creating visual representations for various forms of media, including print, digital, and time-based platforms. Students will develop skills in researching, designing, and illustrating characters, stories, graphics, and settings, transforming ideas and narratives into compelling visual art. The program emphasizes traditional drawing techniques while also integrating modern electronic media, allowing students to explore dynamic elements such as time, movement, and sound. The Illustration Concentration prepares students to succeed in a variety of artistic fields, blending creative expression with practical skills for diverse professional opportunities.

Program Highlights

  • Required courses - 18 credits
  • Learn traditional and digital illustration techniques
  • Develop character design and storytelling
  • Build your portfolio through hands-on projects and coursework
  • Internship opportunities both on and off campus

Ready to Bring Your Illustrations to Life?

Start your creative journey today and shape your artistic future.

  • Art student drawing in a classroom.

    Creative Storytelling and Design

    Focused on narrative development, this concentration teaches students to bring stories to life through character design, illustrations, and graphics. Students learn how to transform ideas into compelling visuals, preparing them to work in various artistic fields and media platforms.

  • Students in an art class working on projects with laptops on tables.

    Real-World Portfolio and Career Preparation

    Students build a professional portfolio through hands-on coursework and projects, showcasing their abilities in both traditional and digital mediums. With guidance from experienced faculty, they gain the technical skills and creative insight needed to succeed in a wide range of artistic careers.

  • Students in an art class figurative drawing in a circle.

    Innovation and Technique Integration

    Students explore the fusion of traditional art methods with cutting-edge digital technologies. This unique blend allows them to push the boundaries of their creativity, experimenting with animation, graphic design, and interactive media to produce dynamic, modern artwork.

Program Details

Learning Outcomes
  • Developed capacity for critical, creative, investigative, and conceptual thinking
  • Ability to identify and solve visual and conceptual problems
  • Ability to present and communicate effectively, creatively, and critically across a range of form and media
  • Generate a personal focus and contribute an independent voice to the world
  • Be ready to work as professionals in art education; art history; design; fine arts; illustration and animation
  • Refer to the fullest range of historical and contemporary art and design sources from across cultures and time
  • Apply a wide range of research methods and technologies in gathering and analyzing information
  • Engage effectively in individual and/or collaborative approaches to work

What Can You Do with an Illustration Concentration?

With an Illustration Concentration, you can pursue a variety of creative and professional career paths, including:

  • Animator
  • Character Designer
  • Concept Artist
  • Comic Book Artist
  • Freelance Artist
  • Illustrator
  • Printmaker
  • Storyboard Artist
Art student working on a painting.

Ready to learn more?

Course Requirements

Program Description

For Art majors interested in a career in illustration or preparation for graduate study in illustration, the Illustration Concentration (18 additional credits) offers broad-based training in illustration. In the Illustration Concentration, students will learn how to research, develop, and create ideas relating to characters, stories, graphics, editorials, and settings into pictorial interpretations of ideas or narratives for reproduction in print, electronic, and time-based media. The Art Department's emphasis on drawing from observation allows students to learn to learn to render images in a range of media while offering classes to use electronic media to explore compositional elements of time, movement, and sound.

Requirements for Art Majors

One of the following:

Note:

** Students completing Art Teacher Licensure Programs must take ART 0108 Introduction to Computer Graphics as their art elective.

Art majors are required to take ART 0106 and ART 0107, to satisfy the Appreciation of the Arts requirement of the common core.

Art majors must complete a minimum of 27 credits of course work within the Art Department at Westfield State. Students are advised to consult their advisors for information on course sequencing and general core requirements.

Art majors intending to pursue graduate work beyond their major are advised to take additionally recommended studio courses of their choice. It is also advisable to include more than the minimum requirements in Art History.

Illustration Concentration for Art Majors
Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core.

Get Big School Features with Small School Advantages

We offer high-quality academics, unique learning opportunities, and a gorgeous campus—and we have small classes, accessible faculty, and one-on-one support. 

You'll join fellow motivated students ready to make the most of the college experience through active participation. Become part of a caring and committed community that understands and embraces the bridge between academic study and civic responsibility.

  • 15:1

    student-faculty ratio

  • 87%

    Of students receive financial aid

  • 700+

    Internship Opportunities

Passionate creators. Creative educators.

We are proud of the diverse group of professors who make up our Art Department. Our professors hold graduate degrees and are professional practitioners in their fields of study. You’ll learn from their unique perspectives as you develop your own point of view. The one-to-one support you’ll get from our faculty will help you increase your understanding of art, polish your technical skills and help you grow as a person.

Student working on an art project with a faculty member.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to submit SAT/ACT scores or an essay when I apply?

Westfield State University does not require an application essay, SAT and/or ACT scores, or letters of recommendation (except for special program admissions).     

All first-year applicants are reviewed for admission based on their high school record. First-year applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements established by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) in order to qualify for admission to a state university.   

Learn more about the application process and admissions here.

How much does Westfield State University cost?

Westfield State University offers a comprehensive university experience at an affordable cost—with many options for financial aid. Visit our Cost and Aid page to learn more. 

Will I receive academic support?

We’re invested in your success. Whether you need a little help adjusting to college, study strategies, tutoring, or disability services, the team at the Academic Achievement Department is ready to help. Our mission is to provide you with the tools to explore academic opportunities as well as to plot strategies for continued growth. 

Learn more about our student support services here.

Is a portfolio required?

Yes, if you have requested admission to the art major on your application form, applicants must successfully pass a portfolio review by the Art Department's faculty.

Learn more

Are there scholarships available to art majors?

Several scholarships are available. Learn more on our available scholarships page.

How can I find the Art Department on social media?

You can follow us on several social media platforms below:

Portfolio Review:

If you've requested admission to the Art Major on your application form, applicants must successfully pass a portfolio review by the Art Department’s faculty.

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Art, Illustration Concentration, B.A.