At MassArt, you’ll be challenged to think creatively and innovatively while building the skills needed for a career as an artist, designer, or leader in more than 50 areas of illustration, from editorial and narrative to concept art, game art and design, time-based imagery, and product and surface design.
But illustrators aren’t just visual artists – they are storytellers at heart. That’s why, as an Illustration major, you’ll dive into the building blocks of storytelling—developing characters, mastering narrative techniques, and setting compelling scenes. You’ll explore research and generate original ideas that push your projects further and make your work truly your own.
MassArt Illustration faculty are an incredible resource for our Illustration students. All faculty either actively freelance as illustrators or run their own illustration firms. Deeply invested in their students’ success, Illustration faculty offer significant insight into the demands of the professional landscape for illustration.
Meet our FacultyStudent coursework culminates in a thesis project, consisting of a body of images that reflect the student’s emerging style and personal point of view. Students exhibit this work and present their portfolio to invited professionals from publishing, editorial, advertising, institutional, and corporate markets. When they graduate, Illustration students can confidently begin their professional lives with the skills and experiences needed to succeed.
Graduates of the Illustration BFA program have been hired by brands, studios, companies, and organizations such as the Discovery Channel, New Balance, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Time Inc., PUMA, Hasbro, the Whitney Museum of American Art, Boston Children’s Museum, Attleboro Art Museum, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
Students who complete the Illustration BFA program are expected to be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes.
Watercolor Illustration class with Irena Roman. Photo: Tony Luong.
