Illustration

An Illustration degree teaches you to communicate ideas and stories through visual image-making, developing a strong personal drawing practice alongside skills in typography, colour theory and visual narrative. You explore a wide range of media — from traditional ink and printmaking to digital illustration using industry-standard software such as Adobe Illustrator and Procreate. Specialisms typically include children's book illustration, editorial and press illustration, graphic narrative (comics and zines), and animation pre-production such as character design and storyboarding. A typical week combines studio critiques, life drawing sessions, contextual studies lectures and self-directed project time. Many programmes include a professional placement or study-abroad opportunity through Erasmus+, giving you real-world experience with publishers, animation studios or design agencies.

Entry to a BA (Hons) in Illustration at TU Dublin or IADT normally requires the Leaving Certificate with a minimum of six subjects, including distinctions or merits at Ordinary or Higher level, with English being particularly important for contextual and written elements of the course. A portfolio of creative work is almost always a central part of the application process and may carry more weight than points alone — applicants are typically invited to submit a digital portfolio or attend a portfolio assessment day. CAO points for these programmes are generally moderate to high relative to other creative arts courses, reflecting their competitive intake. If you do not meet the entry requirements directly, a QQI Level 5 or Level 6 PLC course in Art & Design, Illustration or Visual Communications at a College of Further Education provides a recognised progression route into the first or second year of the degree. Mature applicants (aged 23 or over) may apply through the mature student CAO pathway, and HEAR and DARE schemes are available for students with socioeconomic or disability-related circumstances.

Demand for skilled illustrators in Ireland is supported by a growing animation and games sector, strong children's publishing tradition, and increasing need for visual content across digital platforms. Graduates with a versatile portfolio and digital skills are competitive in the Irish and international market. Freelance and portfolio careers are common, meaning income can vary — many illustrators combine commissioned work with teaching, licensing and commercial projects. Those who move into animation pre-production or UX illustration often find particularly stable employment prospects.