Curriculum Information

The Research Project acts as both as summation of learning, and a ‘calling card’ to employers about the kind of graduate you will be.

The research project can be practical in its aims – building on the knowledge and skills from levels 4 and 5 this is an opportunity to explore a selected topic of interest, then extend and develop critical, analytical and evaluative skills in relation to illustration practice, design and the creative industries.

Alternatively, students might investigate an area in which they want to set up your own business venture. This module will result in a written and publishable ‘Investigation’ for a broad audience in which they will carry out primary and secondary research (so making use of all the research skills developed throughout the course) to understand the context to the topic.

Students will work with a supervisor to support them in their investigation. These modules are designed to be largely independent and a way of demonstrating to staff, to employers and – most importantly – to the student themself, that they have what it takes to be deemed ready for graduate-level positions.

This module lays down the groundwork for the ‘Illustrator as Author’ project. Students will carry out an in-depth investigation into a topic of your choosing (maybe one of deep personal interest, one developed with external clients, or perhaps related to a current topic or area of staff research). This will utilise creative research skills built up in previous study; students will undertake primary and secondary research to come to a deep understanding of the issues to create a written statement of the proposed project.