Illustration

As a creative discipline Illustration at RISD is defined by purpose, not media. While using the same tools as in painting, photography, film, graphic design and other disciplines, in Illustration you learn to make imagery with the intent of conveying specific meaning and messages.

Degree programs

close-up of Illustration students holding sketchbooks

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

In the Illustration BFA program you gain a broad-based sense of what’s possible within the field and enjoy opportunities to master traditional and advanced skills for creating effective, communicative work.

a wide-angle view of students at an Illustration crit

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

The MFA in Illustration encourages you to reflect on the illustrator‘s role as an influential social actor and readies you to turn your practice to the benefit of society and transformation of the field.

In the studio

Illustration students working at digital drawing tables

an Illustration student pins work on a wall during a studio crit

Student work

Student work by Illustration student Xuan Chen of a person in a hat and white dress with a small black animal next to them.

Student work by Illustration graduate student Margaryta Winkler of a group of buildings submerged in blue water with a crane flying over them.

Student work by Illustration alum Xinyan Wang of a room where a person in a chair is petting a giant snake.

an open wooden box with a door reveals engraved patterns and words and white cloth on a shelf

Student work by Illustration alum Kai Gietzen of various dwelling scenes and city skyline.

Student work by Illustration graduate student Yuanhui Li of a spread of interactive food in blue, green, pink and yellow tones.

image

Alumni

In mastering how to draw and paint powerful, meaningful images, Illustration majors graduate ready to write and illustrate books, create surface designs for products, work in web or game design, become animators or character designers and communicate concepts through the many creative paths open to you.

an illustrated work by RISD Illustration alum Shepard Fairey

Shepard Fairey BFA 92 — artist/activist

For more than 20 years, Shepard Fairey has critiqued and shaped popular culture through guerrilla art campaigns of global proportions. A graphic designer, entrepreneur and fine artist, he’s perhaps best known for his ubiquitous 2008 Hope poster of Barack Obama, which is in the permanent collection at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. He also works in the commercial realm through his LA-based agency Studio Number One.

detail of the cover of Illustration alum Sonny Liew's book The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye

Sonny Liew BFA 01 — comics artist

Malaysian-born Singaporean Sonny Liew has built a successful career illustrating creator-owned comics as well as monthly titles for Marvel, DC and other comics publishers. With works including critically acclaimed DC series Doctor Fate and Eternity Girl, he is best known for The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye, a deconstructive graphic novel about the history of modern Singapore. “I’m trying to make history more inclusive,” Liew said of the book that won three Eisner Awards in 2017, including one for Best Writer/Artist.

an Illustration of Manhattan by RISD Illustration alum Julia Rothman

Julia Rothman BFA 02 — author/illustrator

Julia Rothman combines disparate interests into a career of her own making. She freelances as an illustrator and pattern designer, creating products, designs and branding for clients like Anthropologie, Crate & Barrel, The New York Times and others. In addition, Rothman runs the design studio Also with two RISD friends and has published a growing number of books, including Drawn In, The Exquisite Book, Farm Anatomy, Hello NY and Nature Anatomy.