Studio illustration
Trajectory within the major Graphic Design
Are you someone who draws on anything and everything around them? From doodles to entire stories? In that case, perhaps our Studio illustration is the place where you can give full rein to your creativity.
Studio illustration
Story and imagination
Illustrations are everywhere today, from print to pixels. So, naturally, there is high demand for visual storytellers. This is why, at Sint Lucas School of Arts Antwerpen, you can decisively opt for specialising in illustration from day one. You start by experimenting with lines, shapes, materials and techniques and learn to lay more emphasis on content at a later stage. This prepares you sufficiently so that you can critically formulate your own assignments in the third year. And to question those of your lecturers. Because that is allowed here – in fact, we even encourage it.
Perhaps you prefer to work with traditional printing techniques. Maybe your language is more digital or you like to tell a story with photographic illustrations. At the illustration Studio, you search for your unique voice and a contemporary visual language based on your interests and talent.
And no, you don’t have to be an expert at drawing (yet) when you start here. But you have to be prepared to work hard, be up for an adventure, make lots of drawings and love it!
Academic bachelor’s programme
In the academic bachelor’s programme, we pay a lot of attention to conceptual thinking, process-based work and documentation. This study programme also offers a general basic programme where you build up theoretical knowledge and focus strongly on reflection and critical thinking. After this three-year academic bachelor’s programme, you reach the level required to start an artistic master’s programme.
Studio-specific skills
Drawing
We draw fanatically at the Illustration Studio. All day, every day and with all possible materials. From pencils to spray cans.
Printing techniques
Relief and screen printing, lino and litho: you develop a modern visual language with the help of traditional techniques.
Bookbinding
Stitching story and image together is the focus in illustration work. And sometimes needle and thread are also involved.
Storytelling
You not only illustrate stories, you also tell them. By doing this, you learn to understand the magic sum of word + image.
Digital illustrations
Of course, you also explore the creative potential of pixels. From gifs to animations and interactive illustrations.
Devising and formulating concepts
You learn to present ideas and discuss them with the lecturers. To develop into a creative person with a unique, individual perspective.
Overarching courses
Manual and technological skills
This course unit consists of a package of initiations that help you at the start of your programme. For example, there are initiations in the field of software and in the workshops. In addition, you also follow a number of interesting studio-specific initiations.
Theory
Part of the theory is the same for all bachelor’s programme years. Philosophy, art anthropology, literature, art history, semiotic studies, culture and media theory, art design and context and art news.
Drawing
As part of the basic curriculum in the first and second year, each student works on developing basic competencies for drawing the human body and its surroundings and for visual analysis. In the second and third years, your drawing comes closer and closer, via elective modules, to the artistic practice you are developing in your studio. Over the three years, drawing becomes an authentic, autonomous and communicative medium for you. It becomes an essential tool for concept, creation and communication that broadens and clarifies your visual language.
Elective programme
The elective programme consists of two parts. Firstly, you participate in a project week every year. Here, you are part of a mixed group of students from different studios from the first, second and third years. In this way, you are confronted with students from different backgrounds and get the chance to develop a network comprising both students and lecturers. Secondly, in the second and third bachelor’s years, you gain more insight into art and culture by choosing from a series of elective courses and elective projects based on the research projects of theory lecturers.
Theory versus practice
The weightage of the courses evolves throughout the three bachelor’s years. Below you will find a visual representation of the courses you will follow in relation to your credits.
- Pratice
- Drawing
- Theory
- Elective programme
First year
Second year
Third year
In the theory lectures
Theory and reflection are an important part of our academic programme. Important as in: this part accounts for one third of the credits. The basic curriculum, for example, contains subjects such as philosophy, semiotics and art history. These are all courses that give you greater insight into art, culture and society. And they provide you with further inspiration and an interesting background for your own work.
In the studio
The theory even seeps through into the studio. In the form of theoretical seminars or as feedback from lecturers teaching theory and practice. Because the latter also have their place in the Studio.
In your chosen electives
The elective programme also contains a range of learning projects based on the research projects of theory lecturers. In this way, you complete the theoretical knowledge you receive with accents based on your own interests.
Projects of Studio illustration
What does the future look like after Studio illustration?
A study programme does what it promises: it enables to study a specific domain during which one acquires specific skills and a certain way of thinking. Our students choose their final destination themselves. Discover where they ended up…
An academic year, from one summer holiday to the next
At Sint Lucas Antwerpen, creativity is a constant. ‘Regular’ lecture weeks alternate with studio or project weeks and exhibitions. And exams, of course. This is what a typical year at Sint Lucas Antwerpen looks like:
- Theory
- Practice only
- Jury
- Holidays
- Exhibition
- Lectures
Who teaches at Studio illustration?
They illustrate books, design posters or children’s clothes… and, at the same time, they are very happy to share all these experiences with students. These qualified professionals will soon be your lecturers.
Michel Van Beirendonck
Ben Boliau
Sander Van de Vyver
Hilde Van De Peer
Eva Vermeiren
Sebastiaan Van Doninck
Arpaïs Du Bois
Hannelore van Dijck
Silke Groffy
Anne Kurris
Eliza Pepermans
One-semester art exchange programmes
Are you excited to study abroad during one semester?
