Illustration is the art of creating and manipulating images in order to communicate precisely a given concept prescribed by the client. Because illustrations historically have served as a powerful tool for the expression of social, political and cultural ideas, they are utilized for a diverse range of areas including publishing, advertising, feature animation, editorial, retail and licensing. To prepare for a future career in any one of these areas, our students must not only master traditional drawing, painting and conceptual thinking skills, they must also develop an understanding of the role of illustration in contemporary culture.
Students pursuing a concentration in illustration SHU’s department of Art & Design are encouraged to cultivate their own personal vision in conjunction with the technical skills found in the gamut of traditional and contemporary media.
Our Art & Design students have exhibited nationally and regionally on a consistent basis with artwork from their illustration classes since 1992. The national juried exhibitions have included the Annual Student Scholarship Competition at Society of Illustrators in New York and The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles Annual Illustration West Competitions in Glensdale, California. Since 2004 Sacred Heart University students have exhibited 48 individual pieces in these two most prestigious student illustration exhibitions in the country.
