Graphic Storytelling

Learn to tell visual stories! Graphic Storytelling will equip you with a versatile toolbox relevant to creating comics and graphic novels, illustration, storyboarding, visual development and more!

Carmen Crush Graphic Storytelling-Carmen Crush by Mathilde Garreau

Carmen Crush

Sara Bok Sara Bok

Sara Bok

Hugo Lind Hugo Lind

Hugo Lind

Hannibal Sachse Hannibal Sachse

Hannibal

Aniki Deichmann Aniki

Aniki Deichmann

Type and duration

Bachelor (4 years)

Study start and city

August, Viborg  

Application deadline

March 15, 12 noon

Admissions frequency

Once every odd-numbered year

What you will learn

1. year

Craft fundamentals and shortform storytelling

The first semester is all about the fundamentals of comics, from various approaches to drawing and story to digital and traditional tools.

The second semester focuses on clarity in visual storytelling and on writing and drawing short narratives, culminating in a collaborative comic book project.

2. year

Illustration, world-building, and long-form storytelling

The third semester focuses on color theory and on using color for storytelling and on illustration for books, magazines, and newspapers.

The fourth semester opens with a series of workshops on world building and IP generation before exploring a range of different storytelling genres and methods, culminating in a graphic novel pitch featuring 10 sample pages and a comprehensive synopsis, marking your first stab at a long-form story.

3. year

Related fields, interactive media, and Applied Cartooning

The fifth semester focuses on fields outside of comics, including background design, storyboarding, and video games. Furthermore, you will be introduced to interactive comics and start to create your professional portfolio.

The sixth semester deepens into more advanced sequential storytelling, including advanced writing techniques. The semester also features a five-week production where you and your fellow students will create “Applied Comics”, ie. comics designed to convey a specific message to a specific target audience, together with outside clients.

Final semester

Final Production, Internship and Bachelor's assignment

The seventh semester is dedicated to the Final Production, where you create an original comic, illustrated book or story bible.

During the eight semester you get hands-on experience from the industry in a relevant internship for at least ten weeks, and the semester ends with you handing in your Bachelor Report, analyzing your career plans based on both your Final Production and internship.

Lecturers

Steven Seagle

  • Steven Seagle

  • Writer and world builder
    • Graphic novel memoir It's a Bird
    • Co-creating Ben 10 & Big Hero 6
    • Ultimate Spider-Man
See more from Steven
Cecil Castellucci

  • Cecil Castellucci

  • YA comics and book author
    • Writer and/or creator of The Plain Janes, Shade The Changing Girl, Batgirl, etc.
    • Three-time opera libretto author
    • Former front person of indie rock band Nerdy Girl
See more from Cecil
Thomas Wellmann

  • Thomas Wellmann

  • Freelance cartoonist
    • Working for Cartoon Network
    • Pimo & Rex
    • Storyboard artist on Adventure Time
    • His illustrations and comics can be found in Die Zeit, Zeit LEO etc.
See more from Thomas
Aimee de Jongh

  • Aimée de Jongh

  • Cartoonist and animator
    • Writer/artist of acclaimed graphic novels The Return of the Honey Buzzard, TAXI!, and more.
    • Illustrator of Blossoms in Autumn, and more.
    • Storyboarder on Amazon's Undone
See more from Aimée
Matthew Forsythe

  • Matthew Forsythe

  • Character designer and picture book author
    • Former lead designer on Adventure Time and Robin Robin
    • Creator of acclaimed picture books Mina and Pokko and the Drum
See more from Matt
Joana Mosi

  • Joana Mosi

  • Cartoonist and educator
    • Writer/artist of comics such as My Best Friend Lara, The Apartment and The Mongoose
    • Taught at ETIC Lisbon and Nextart Lisbon
See more from Joana
Martin Rauff-Nielsen

  • Martin Rauff-Nielsen

  • World builder and game, story and IP designer
    • Formerly Spilmester Martin on the Danish TV show Barda
    • Lead designer on the trading card game Chaotic
    • Musician and producer
See more from Martin
Maria Stoian

  • Maria Stoian

  • Illustrator and cartoonist
    • Writer/artist of the graphic novel Take it as a Compliment
    • Contributor to We Shall Fight Until We Win and Drawing Power
See more from Maria
Dan Berry

  • Dan Berry

  • Cartoonist and teacher
    • Co-creator of Rivers, The Three Rooms in Valerie’s Head with David Gaffney
    • Videogame producer for Superbrothers A/V
    • Started the UK’s first degree programme in comics.
See more from Dan
Danielle Corsetto

  • Danielle Corsetto

  • Cartoonist
    • Creator of web comics Girls with Slingshots and Stuck at 32
    • Writer of three Adventure Time GNs and BOO! It’s Sex.
    • Currently serializing the graphic novel Elephant Town
See more from Danielle

See more lecturers

Ready to apply?

Admission to the programme is talent-based

We are looking for students with excellent drawing and storytelling skills. Therefore, all applicants must complete an admissions test to show whether they qualify for enrolment.
Read more about admissions

Not yet qualified?

We have several courses available throughout the year designed to improve and develop a wide skillset, and most of these skills we also request our applicants to demonstrate when applying to our bachelor's degree programmes.

See our foundation courses

Need more information?

  • Student accommodation

    In Denmark, on-campus student accommodation provided by universities and colleges is not available, as is the case in many other countries. This means that students are responsible for finding housing on their own.

    Dorm rooms in Viborg typically cost between 2500-3500 DKK (250-470 EUR) per month depending on size and whether you are willing to share facilities. Utility expenses, like electricity, internet and heating, are often paid separately and cost around 600 DKK (80 EUR) per month.

    For further information and great tips for finding student accommodation in Denmark and Viborg check out our student accommodation page

  • Tuition fee

    Students from the EU and EEA countries study are exempt from paying tuition fees in Denmark. However, if you are a non-EU or EEA applicant, there are certain criteria that determine whether you are eligible for free tuition or not. Visit our page about tuition fees to find answers on deadlines, documenting your residency status and eligibility for free tuition. 

    For students who are not eligible for free tuition, paying the first year’s fee is a precondition for obtaining a student’s residence permit.

    The tuition fee is billed in Danish kroner.

    Deadline for paying tuition fee

    Deadline for payment of tuition fee is 1 June.

  • Visa and residence permit in Denmark

    When travelling to Denmark you need to have the right permits in place. Depending on how long you are planning on staying and where you come from, you may need a visa or a residence permit. Find out how to get a visa and residence permit in Denmark here.

  • Students admitted to Graphic Storytelling in 2023 and onwards will be expected to bring their own personal computer.

    We also recommend the students bring a personal drawing tablet.

    Graphic Storytelling will still supply computer monitors as well as the software we teach.

    Read the PDF below for more information:

Meet Graphic Storytelling graduates

Catarina Azevedo

Catarina Azevedo

Catarina is a 2021 graduate of Graphic Storytelling and is now working as a freelance matte painter at Giant Animation.
Meet Catarina here!
Emei Olivia Burell

Emei Olivia Burell

Emei graduated from Graphic Storytelling at The Animation Workshop in 2019 and is now working as Senior Narrative Artist at Media Molecule.
Meet Emei here!
Tina Burholt

Tina Ley Burholt

In 2019, Tina graduated from Graphic Storytelling at The Animation Workshop and now she is a freelance illustrator. 

Meet Tina here!

Contact

  • Sofie Krogh Appel

  • Student Counsellor, TAW Bachelor Programmes