Illustration

YOU ARE A VISUAL STORYTELLER

You love using your unique art style to bring stories to life!

As an illustration major at the University of Indianapolis (UIndy), you can develop those skills to communicate ideas and emotions through visual storytelling. By exploring a variety of mediums including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, and sculpture, you can learn how to bring stories to life through your illustrations!

You’ll start with basic art concepts and learn both traditional and digital art techniques. A UIndy illustration degree helps you develop your ideas and build a portfolio that will prepare you for a creative career as an illustrator.
  • 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • colleges of distinction 2026-2027
  • ranked as a national university by u.s. news and world report

Illustration Program Highlights

  • Opportunities for real-world industry experience.
  • Work alongside award-winning faculty with active illustration practice.
  • Cultivate skills in market research and practical creative business solutions.
  • Personal explorations in a variety of illustrative fields Including book publishing, comics, concept art, character and creature design, environment design, theatre set and costume design, storyboards, animatics, and more.
  • Build competencies in industry-standard software and technologies.
  • Develop expertise in a variety of methods and mediums to breathe life into your illustrations.
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Second example of polymer clay sculpted goat-humanoid fantasy character holding a tray of sculpted tavern objects Cartoon character design featuring concept art of children in various outfits Second page of a comic featuring the retelling of the frog prince with a figure holding a frog towards the viewer Third page of a comic featuring the retelling of the frog prince with a figure holding a frog towards the viewer

Curriculum Guides

These curriculum guides outline the different classes you will need to take as an illustration major. The general education guide provides a list of all the classes you need in order to fulfill UIndy’s general education requirements. The illustration curriculum guide lists the classes you'll need to take to fulfill your major’s requirements. Be sure to take a look at each guide in order to get a complete picture of what your classes will look like at UIndy.

Potential Careers

  • Book Illustrator
  • Commercial Illustrator
  • Comics
  • Concept Artist
  • Editorial Illustrator
  • Fashion & Apparel
  • Magazine Illustrator
  • Music Album Cover
  • Poster Artist
  • Product & Toy designer

Minors and Related Programs for Illustration

Illustrators often choose to utilize different disciplines to bring their stories to life. They are often designers, painters, photographers, printmakers, sculptors, and multimedia artists immersing themselves in different techniques and broader perspectives. Here is a list of minors to expand your style and career opportunities.

  • Studio Art
    • Ceramics
    • Painting & Drawing
    • Photography
    • Printmaking
    • Sculpture
  • Graphic Design

Admissions and Aid

We make the path to your degree as clear as possible with a streamlined, test-optional admissions process. UIndy is committed to accessibility; 99.6% of our students receive financial aid, ensuring that a high-quality education in illustration remains within your reach.

Meet Your Art & Design Faculty

The art faculty at the University of Indianapolis (UIndy) are practicing artists. Each has practical experience to share with you. All have displayed their work in noteworthy exhibitions, and all attend professional conferences and workshops to keep up with new research and technology. The full-time and part-time faculty bring expertise in a wide variety of specializations.

Learn More About a degree in Illustration

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