Illustration

Course information

The Bachelor of Design in Illustration degree program prepares students to become professional illustrators. Illustrators express their view of the world through images, reflecting their personal perspective on society and current events. Their work can stem from existing texts or emerge from self-initiated projects. Communication with the audience is a key element, with the illustrator’s role encompassing both conceptual and visual interpretation.
At HKU, you will develop your artistic and conceptual skills in various contexts. You will blend craftsmanship with the latest techniques and explore crossovers with other professional disciplines and HKU programs, such as Fine Art and Design. You will learn to adopt a distinct viewpoint and illustrate it effectively.

The exchange programme

During the exchange programme, you will participate in professional illustration classes, focusing particularly on visual journalism and editorial work. You will experiment with illustration techniques, including point of view and infographics, and explore motion imagery. At the end of the semester, you will take part in an illustration event. This programme emphasizes developing your unique style and visual language while refining your illustration and design skills. The semester culminates in a final assessment presentation.

Medialabs

As part of the exchange programme, you will choose one of three electives. The first option is the Medialabs module, designed for first- and second-year Media students. This module offers an opportunity to develop skills in a different Media pathway and to collaborate with students from other disciplines.
Skills in this context include not only technical or artisanal abilities but also research, conceptual, and professional competencies. The skillslabs focus on hands-on activities, discovery, and experimentation. Through designing, creating, and collaborative activities, you’ll explore new professional fields and uncover new interests.

Seminars

The other 2 electives to choose from are so called ’seminars’.

HKU Seminar

The other elective are structured as a seminar:
HKU Seminar
In weeks 9 and 10 of the exchange semester, you can join an intensive seminar program (SEM-MED-..-24). During this period, regular classes are suspended, allowing you to step outside your field and explore new materials, disciplines, working methods, and insights. This is a chance to gain fresh experiences and broaden your perspective.

Competencies

• You have a critical, investigative attitude and broad cultural and social interests.
• You have a personal vision and are able to develop strong concepts.
• You are capable of shaping, and communicating your illustration concepts in an authentic and communicative way.
• You possess good technical skills.
• You take initiative and work well both independently and in a group.

Programme for exchange students Illustration semester 1

Course descriptions

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2. Copy and paste the module codes into the 'course ID/name' field.

Place in the curriculum and related courses

This programme is an obligatory regular part of the second year of the Bachelor of Design in Illustration.

Language

Please note that the Bachelor programme is mainly taught in Dutch and it is helpful for exchange students to be able to understand some Dutch. It is quite common that exchange students don't understand Dutch on a high level when they start an exchange at HKU Media and you will of course be supervised in English.