Illustration Design

We are surrounded by images. They tell us something, transfer a certain emotion, or may serve a more functional purpose. Illustrations support and enrich texts in books and magazines, but also appear on packaging or as prints on t-shirts or coffee cups. Illustrations show us the world that we live in or show us a different perspective of this world. Illustrations are not just used for the sake of it; they are usually conceptualised and created for a specific purpose by an illustrator who is well-versed in different forms, techniques, media and methods.

This makes Illustration Design a varied and dynamic field. New technologies and media offer new possibilities for illustrators and call for new kinds of collaboration. At the same time, its age-old forms live on. Book illustrations, for instance, have a long and rich tradition. This requires illustrators to have extensive knowledge and flexibility. They understand the power of images and are aware of their social relevance as illustrators. The study programme Illustration Design is open to illustrators who strive to familiarise themselves with all aspects of the profession: from technique to form, from message to medium and from fresh idea to final product. Illustration is a deeply-rooted discipline at ArtEZ. Many renowned illustrators have studied here. The programme has an excellent reputation in the field of picture books, book illustrations and editorial illustrations. For the professional illustrator, passion for language and image go hand in hand with a broad interest in social and cultural developments.