BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application

COURSE OVERVIEW

Programme Specifications BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application UCAS CODE W220 UCAS TARIFF 96 - 112 BA (Hons) 3 YEARS

Imagine being able to draw for a living… ? This BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application degree is an inspiring art course that will help you create and develop your own illustrative voice. Our students gain the skills, knowledge and industry links to forge a career as a comic book artist, editorial illustrator, picturebook artist, product illustrator, concept artist, greetings card artist or fashion illustrator - equipping you with the business and creative skills to pursue a career in advertising, editorial, games, film, television, comics and publishing. Your development - creatively, academically and professionally - will be directed into producing a distinct portfolio and developing a strong business focus to support you in launching a successful career in the creative industries.

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Our BA (Hons) degree in Illustration for Commercial Application here at The Northern School of Art offers opportunities to build a credible contemporary and commercially aware illustration portfolio, with training from working practitioners in the industry. Our degree is unique in that we offer a distinctive studio culture; no two days on this course are ever the same. We back this up with a wealth of industry links, exhibitions and opportunities.

• From the moment you start, you are an illustration industry professional as a member of the Association of Illustrators.

• Students have access to a wealth of industry standard resources.

• We provide you with access to high profile illustrators from different areas within the industry through our extensive visiting lecturer scheme.

• We support and guide you to have your own unique illustrative voice, evident from the diversity and breadth of our students work

Our school engages with a wide range of partners working across each creative sub-sector to ensure that teaching and learning are in line with the latest developments in and requirements of industry, including:

Tim Searle
Tim has over 30 years experience of developing, directing and producing award-winning animation. He has written, designed, animated, ‘boarded, edited, produced, directed, and of course made the tea. His animation credits include Mr Bean, Dangermouse, and Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed.
imdb.com

Aardman Animation
Aardman Animation is employee-owned and exists for the benefit of its workforce and the industry they are passionate about. The Aardman Academy is one pillar of Aardman Animation set up to nurture talent and to build sustainable careers They are committed to encouraging talent into the industry by delivering world-class animated-related courses and working with institutions like The School. Working with the Academy gives us access to talented members of the whole Aardman Animation team from animators through haracter developers and story board artists. Film director Mark Hewlis, Head of Aardman Academy, has told us “You can’t create something digitally until you know how it works in the real world.”
academy.aardman.com

Chris Riddell
Chris Riddell, OBE is the popular multi-award winning illustrator and author of children's books and a political cartoonist for the Observer. He has won three Kate Greenaway Medals – an unprecedented achievement in the history of this annual award for the best-illustrated children's book. He held the position of Childrens’ Laureate in 2015/16. He is a long-term friend of The Northern and The Northern Festival of Illustration and was the Valedictory Speaker at our 2017 Graduation Ceremony.

Darren Yeomans
Daren is the Studio Director at Atomhawk Design Ltd. Atomhawk is an international operation, known as a world leading art and design studio. They create concept art, UI/UX design, motion graphics and marketing art for games, film and digital media. They have been involved with some fantastic products including:
- Avengers Age of Ultron, - Guardians of the Galaxy, - THOR II "Dark World" - Mortal Kombat (2009), and many others.
Darren and artists from the studio have worked with the school for several years.
atomhawk.com

Sam Arthur
Sam is the co-founder of the publishing house NoBrow/Flying Eye Books. After 10 years directing music videos, commercials and short films, he set up Nobrow with business partner Alex Spiro. In 2013 they launched Flying Eye Books our dedicated children's book imprint. Sam is CEO of Nobrow Ltd which has offices in London and New York, and Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors of the AOI (Association of Illustrators) as well as Festival Director of ELCAF (East London Comic Arts Festival). Sam has supported The Northern Festival of Illustration.
nobrow.net

Keith Opie
Keith is Director and Senior Creative Artist at Paul Windle Design. Apparently he is a “Colour rendering magician and the artist responsible for the sprinkling of our ‘magic fairy dust’ over every piece of work that leaves the studio” Paul Windle Design is a studio of choice for renowned global brands including The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros, Ravensburger, and TOMY. The studio works on projects as diverse as 3D Design; Branding; Character Creation; Concept art; Game ; Packaging and Product Development
paulwindledesign.co.uk

Student Voice

Find out more about what it's like to study illustration at The Northern School of Art!

STAFF

MATTHEW BURTON

Senior Lecturer Matthew joined The Northern School of Art in 2021. As an established illustrator and designer, Matthew has worked in the publishing and design industry for 15 years, predominantly in editorial illustration and graphic design. His early freelance career explored the film and TV industries working with NBC Universal, creating key art for TV productions, documentaries and commercials. Since 2011 Matthew has worked in the publishing industry with a number of key publishing houses. For over a decade Matthew has worked with Move Press as in house illustrator for their huge range of publications and digital content. Move Press, based in California USA, is renown for their high end publications, films and branded content. During this time Matthew has also collaborated with Wiggle.com, Walz and Pactimo, creating a range of cycle wear and apparel. Recent work includes his collaboration in a series of books, working with high profile companies which include Team Sky, Rapha, ASO ‘Tour De France’ and Team EF Pro Cycling. Matthew’s freelance practice is often tied to his interest in the sports industry and has created a niche portfolio of clients within the sector. Matthew’s freelance clients range across the globe from the USA to Taiwan. Matthew’s is currently pursuing his MA and continues his own practice and freelance business. His skills range from analogue illustration and to print making to digital art and design. Matthew is currently exploring the realm of digital 3D and motion design. BA (Hons), MA, PGCE

ALICE HAIR

Lecturer Alice graduated from an MA in Illustration and Design in 2013 and since has worked in higher education whilst developing personal work for a range of regional exhibitions including; The Northern Festival of Illustration in 2019, Emanation at ThoughtFoundation 2018, Hamsterley: Unearthed 2018 in Hamsterley Forest, and the Drawing Parallels and Drawing the Line series at Gala Gallery and Holy Biscuit gallery. This has built a wealth of experience working with varied teams to plan and curate exhibitions. Alice has worked on a range of illustration commissions for clients such as Bernicia Festival, Lake Poets, Narc Magazine, The Customs House theatre, and Tiny Lights Recordings and Kittle PR. Alice continues to work on private illustration and design commissions alongside lecturing. Qualifications: BA (Hons), MA, PGCE, FHEA

JIM SPENDLOVE

Lecturer Jim is an experienced illustrator who has collaborated with a diverse range of clients across Europe and the US, including prominent online music platforms and record labels. His portfolio includes regular contributions to Lofi Girl, Chillhop Records, Splice, and numerous independent artists worldwide. Beyond the music industry, Jim’s expertise extends to working with breweries, web designers, researchers and galleries. His work has been featured in publications such as Now Then and Exposed Magazine.
In 2022, Jim was invited to Domestika’s London studios to create an online course focusing on illustration and animation techniques using Procreate. The course has since attracted over 2,000 students, reflecting Jim’s growing influence in the field. He continues to share his expertise through workshops and 1:1 mentoring, inspiring artists in schools, studios and beyond. Jim’s recent projects include a 2023 collaboration with researchers at Northumbria University, where he created a series of illustrations documenting forage availability for pollinators in Newcastle. This project was show cased at the Shieldfield Artworks Takeover 2023 and has since been featured in events at the Great North Museum, and across 18 billboards in Dundee as part of Sharing Not Hoarding in 2024.
Jim’s artistic style is rooted in line drawing, using both digital and traditional techniques. He often combines ink and ink wash with digital tools to add colour, texture, and animation to his work. He has expertise in using software such as Adobe suite and Procreate. Alongside his role in higher education, Jim continues to cultivate his freelance illustration practice.
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Creative Art Practice

HOLLY STERLING

LecturerHolly is a children's author and illustrator, with a mixed heritage of white English and Jamaican descent. Her work reflects her personal experiences, particularly with a focus on positive representation, which has become a hallmark of her artwork. Her author-illustrator debut with Walker Books, 'Karate Kids', was also shortlisted for The Telegraph Sports Book of the Year Award in 2021. Following its success, she released 'Ballet Kids', the second book in the series, which earned a spot on the 2024 ALA Rainbow Book List, and highlighted in the 2023 CLPE Reflecting Realities Survey as a good example. Holly has had the honour of being nominated for the prestigious CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal and won the Seven Stories National Nursery Rhyme Illustration Competition. She received a high commendation for the Macmillan Prize, and her work has been included in The Independent's Top 12 Books of the Year. Furthermore, her books have been featured in the EmpathyLab's 'Read for Empathy' list and the 'Summer Reading Challenge', showcasing her commitment to creating works that resonate with and educate young readers. In addition to her creative career, Holly is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of illustrators. She has served as a mentor for the ‘Pathways Into Children’s Publishing' programme during its 2019-2021 and 2023-2024 intakes. This programme is particularly focused on providing opportunities for individuals from underrepresented and marginalised backgrounds, reflecting Holly's own values and commitment to diversity in the children's publishing. BA (Hons) Illustration and Design MFA in Illustration

KATHRYN BELL

Technician/Demonstrator Kathryn Bell is an artist and print technician working in the North East of England, where she graduated with a first-class honours degree in Fine Art. Kathryn is an experienced print technician who demonstrates print techniques to students in Graphic Design, Illustration and across the school. Her own work mostly includes relief, screen print and cyanotype, often combing a mixture of these processes to create hybrid prints. Kathryn is active in keeping up to date with printmaking trends and opportunities and uses this information to support students to access exciting opportunities. Kathryn is a member of People of Print, a community of printmakers, illustrators and graphic designers who are outstanding in their field. She regularly exhibits and sells her work around the UK and permanently in a store in Durham City. Kathryn is a featured printmaker with Green Door Printmaking Studio (International Print Exchange) and regularly participates in the Cascade Print Exchange (USA). Qualifications: BA (Hons)