ILL 260: Illustration Capstone and Portfolio Review
A portfolio project and portfolio review for Illustration majors
The Illustration Capstone and Portfolio Review class offers an opportunity to develop a multifaceted portfolio piece and hone your creative work into a polished presentation for future clients and employers.
The Illustration Capstone Project provides students the opportunity to complete a multidimensional illustration project in three stages, working closely with a department head. A children's book publishing and promotion project will challenge students to demonstrate their proficiency in key aspects of the Illustration program.
Students participate in Portfolio Review in weeks 9-15 of the semester. This provides students the opportunity to gather and develop a portfolio of work and present it to faculty and classmates for feedback.
Student work by Lynne Adams. Visit the Student Gallery.
About This Course
Project-Based Learning
In this multifaceted portfolio project, student develop or adapt a story and character designs for a children's book, creating layouts, cover, and a promotional poster. Students will also assemble a high quality final portfolio of work for instructor review and peer feedback. Student work will be evaluated to assess the achievement of program outcomes defined for the Associate Degree in Graphic Design program.
What Skills Will I Develop?
Students in this course can expect to learn to:
- Support your design project with research of companies and products in a specific genres, design trends, and marketing initiatives.
- Research an illustration concept for a children's book publisher, identifying genres, stylistic trends, and reference illustration work to influence the direction of your concept.
- Use brainstorming, sketches, mood boards, and other techniques to formulate a coherent design concept.
- Create character sketches and compositional sketches for a book illustration project.
- Develop colors, typography, and other design elements to consistent with your book illustration concept.
- Illustrate at least three scenes from a children's book story laid out with the appropriate text.
- Create an eye-catching cover with text and illustration(s) for a children's book.
- Create an effective, stylistically consistent poster design to promoting the release of the children's book.
- Create a polished presentation of your final work including a 500 word professional summary to accompany your materials.
- Assemble a portfolio of work, identifying and describe strengths and weaknesses in your work.
- Develop a plan for portfolio development and identify a desired career direction.
- Develop a professional summary of your design capabilities.
- Present a finalized portfolio of creative work.
What Software and Supplies Do I Need?
- Computer with Internet connection.
- Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Various drawing supplies as desired.
- Experience in the above software.
Course Outline
Choosing a Client
Students will develop a concept based on a creative brief and present their research and concept for initial feedback.
Preparing the Design
Students prepare character studies, compositional studies, colors, and typography based on their concept and submit them for additional feedback.
Creating Your Final Deliverables
Students will create a finished book cover, a set of illustrations for the story, and some promotional material for the new book. They are expected to present final work professionally and create a presentation that details their thought process and explains the illustration techniques used.
Portfolio Guidelines
Students are expected to create a portfolio that is useful to their future creative development, and to do so with attention to quality and detail. The final student portfolio will demonstrate professional presentation techniques and a written summary of the student's design capabilities.
Final Review
Student portfolios will be evaluated to assess the achievement of program outcomes defined for the Associate Degree in Illustration program.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Do The Courses Work?
Our courses are project-based and instructor-led. In each course you’ll complete a series of lectures, projects, discussions, and critiques designed to stretch your creative skills. Weekly assignment deadlines keep you on track, and with no set-logins or Zoom meetings, you can build your studies around your schedule.
Who Are The Instructors?
Our courses are developed and taught by our industry-leading faculty of creative professionals. This means that you’ll learn in-demand skills, get feedback on your work, and build a portfolio of creative work. View our Student Gallery for featured student projects.
When Can I Start?
Classes start January, April, and August, and this course is completed in a 15-week term. This course is not available for individual enrollment; it can only be taken as part of a program.
Explore our Programs: Bachelor's Degree | Associate Degree | Undergraduate Certificate
How Do I Register?
This course is not available for individual enrollment; it can only be taken as part of a program. To register for a program, complete our program application.
Is Sessions College accredited?
Yes. Since 2001, Sessions College has been accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).