Title: Illustration  

Language: English

Credits: 30 ECTS.
Drawing module: 15 ECTS. 
Illustration module: 15 ECTS  

Duration of the course: 16 weeks. Monday-Friday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Drawing module: 8 weeks. 
Illustration module: 8 weeks. 

Course start: Every year in February 

Course dates for Spring 2023:
Drawing module: February 6 - March 31, 2023.
Illustration module: April 11 - June 2, 2023.

(Please note: there will be an exam taking place on one of the first days of the week after the end of the illustration semester)

Fee (whole course):
EU citizens: 28.800 DKK (approx. 3.870 EUR).
Non-EU citizens: 51.000 DKK (approx. 6.860 EUR)

Fee (one module): 
EU citizens: 14.400 DKK (approx.1.940 EUR).
Non EU citizens: 25.500 DKK (approx. 3.430 EUR)

Application deadline:
December 5, 2022

How to apply:
Apply for module 1, Drawing, here
Apply for module 2, Illustration, here

Open Education: Illustration is an Open Education program that is part of the Bachelor in Graphic Storytelling at The Animation Workshop/VIA University College (TAW). Open Education is a wide range of educational programs in Denmark offered to adults who wish to undergo further training. It is open to anybody who has successfully passed our admission criteria.

PLEASE NOTE: Students from outside the European Union are allowed to stay in Denmark for maximum 90 days on a tourist visa.

More information:

• Teaching plan (PDF)
• Practical information (PDF)

The two modules consist of a series of workshops focusing on a particular platform for illustration like animated tv-series, editorial illustration or book illustration. Many of the workshops include an introduction to a computer program or an analogue technique but you will also work on the design and communicational aspects of illustrating for that platform.

The Drawing module contains workshops more focused on artistic techniques like drawing and digital painting, but you will also get the chance to work with visual development and book illustration. In the Illustration module, the focus is in general more on using illustration in different contexts like magazines and explainer films, and there is also a two weeks long comic workshop, introducing you to the language of comics and its potential.

The course is rounded off with a big project where you get the chance to work more in-depth with a topic of your own particular interest. Altogether, the course is a good foundation, both artistically and technically, for building up a career as an illustrator.

What you get:

• A broad knowledge of illustration combining craft, communication and technical skills
• A series of workshops on themes like editorial illustration, digital painting, design for animated tv-series, motion graphics, book illustration, comics and more
• Highly skilled instructors chosen among the best illustrators and visual artists
• Working knowledge of relevant software
• The opportunity to specialize in the area of your own particular interest
• A designated class space with 24-7 access
• Access to all extracurricular activities at The Animation Workshop; talks, a variety of sports, workshops, life drawing, etc.

Illustration is an intensive course that will occupy most of your time. It may sometimes be necessary to work on evenings or weekends in order to finish projects. Sometimes there will also be talks or workshops outside regular teaching hours. The students of the course have their own workspace, which they can use at all times.  

Download detailed teaching plan

All students are required to bring a computer with Adobe Creative Suite, as well as a Wacom board, Cintiq or similar. 

Please note that the main topic of this course is illustration. Students whose main focus is animation are welcome to participate in the course as many of the skills taught are transferable skills that may also be applied to films. However, the teachers do for the most part not have animation experience, and the approach taken will often be quite different to how it would be in animation.

 

Applicants with a BA in another field may also apply if they have acquired good drawing skills in another way. 

It is possible to apply for the full semester or just one of the module separately. However, we strongly recommend that you attend both modules because they are planned as one course.

Apply for module 1, Drawing, here

Apply for module 2, Illustration, here

You will be asked to provide a CV, documentation for your BA studies if relevant, a motivational letter, and a portfolio. Your portfolio should represent you as an artist and/or visual communicator and should include your best work. It is important that we see a good demonstration of your visual skills. We only accept digital portfolios in the form of a link. We ask that your name and contact information are easy to find.

Requirements for your portfolio

• Your portfolio can either be a PDF document or an online portfolio set up in Blogspot, Tumblr or similar.
• Your name and contact information should be easy to find.
• We will not accept portfolios using Facebook, DeviantArt galleries (DeviantArt portfolios are fine) or Flickr.
• Consider the size of your images and other posts so that it loads easily and quickly.
• We recommend uploading videos on Vimeo and posting images no larger than 2MB to reduce loading time. 

Application Process After the application deadline

We will review the applications. Shortly after, you will receive an e-mail with information about the result of your application. In case you were accepted in the course, you will be asked to confirm your seat. Please make sure to also check your spam folder for e-mails from VIA.

The Animation Workshop/VIA University College (TAW) reserves the right to cancel the course should there not be enough participants.

If you are not a citizen of the EU, you can apply for a single module of the course.

However, if you are already enrolled in a university you may apply for a student visa to be able to stay for the entirety of the course. Please note that applying for and receiving a students’ residence permit can easily take between two and three months.

The process can only be initiated after we have received your payment for the tuition, as the school must declare that the course has been paid for by the applicant. After receiving the payment, we will complete the school’s part of the online application form and invite you to complete the student’s part. Please note that there is a service fee to be paid to the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration before you can access the form.

Please also note that you must hand in biometric data for your residence card no later than 14 days after submitting the completed application. Read more about the demands for the biometric data and where to register for them.

All data, including biometrics, must be submitted at least two months before you need the permit.

Overall description of the application process and requirements

Fee (whole course)

EU citizens: 28.800 DKK (approx. 3.870 EUR)
Non-EU citizens: 51.000 DKK (approx. 6.860 EUR)

Fee (one module)

EU citizens: 14.400 DKK (approx.1.940 EUR)
Non EU citizens: 25.500 DKK (approx. 3.430 EUR)

Materials

All students are required to bring a computer that has the Adobe programs Photoshop and InDesign on it, preferably the Creative Cloud version, as well as a Wacom board, Cintiq or similar. While attending the Professional Training Course Illustration, you are entitled to get the regular Adobe student discount. You will also be asked to buy or bring a few analogue drawing materials to be used during the course workshops.

You will be offered a specific accommodation by the housing organizer shortly after you have been accepted into the course. Rooms offered are typically located in the dormitory Camp Logos, which is located right next to TAW. Please note that TAW cannot guarantee that you get the specific room type you have requested. In some cases, we have to accept what is currently available from the housing organizer. The prices range between 3-500 EUR (2200-3500 DKK) per month.

Practical information

All rooms in Camp Logos are furnished with a bed, bedside table, bedside lamp, room divider, desk, chair, and kitchenette. Please note that there are no kitchen utensils for the kitchenette in the room but you can buy utensils at second-hand shops in Viborg. The school will provide a duvet and pillow, so you will only need to bring bed sheets and towels. There is also a shared kitchen and common area at your disposal. If you have any questions in relation to housing during your course, please contact taw.housing@via.dk

As a PRO course participant, you only have to pay a reduced deposit of 5000 DKK (instead of 10.000 DKK).

You are also welcome to join our Facebook Housing group to team up with other students looking for roommates and new tenants for the apartments they are leaving themselves.