Illustration BFA Degree Program
http://fitnyc.edu/illustration
School of Art and Design
Applications accepted for fall only. NYSED: 83464 CIP: 50.0410
The major in Illustration enables students to deepen their artistic talent as freelance illustrators and to prepare them for positions as illustrators, digital artists, graphic designers, art directors, animators, muralists, scenery painters, storyboard artists, advertising comp artists, and fashion sketchers. Curriculum below is for the entering class of fall 2025.
| Semester 5 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MAJOR AREA | IL 325 - Digital Illustration Techniques | 3 |
| IL 326 - Traditional Painting Media: Methods and Materials | 3 | |
| IL 362 - The Illustrator's Heritage I | 3 | |
| IL 377 - Book Illustration | 3 | |
| RELATED AREA | choice - see Requirements: Related Area Elective(s) | 1.5 |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts/General Education | 3 |
| Semester 6 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | IL 306 - Visual Storytelling for Evolving Media I | 3 |
| IL 364 - The Illustrator's Heritage II | 3 | |
| IL 378 - Stylistic Illustration or IL 379 - Illustrating the Written Word | 3 | |
| RELATED AREA | CG 213 - 2D Computer Animation | 2 |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts/General Education | 3 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | IL 405 - Visual Storytelling for Evolving Media II or IL 484 - Advanced Color Rendering I | 3 |
| IL 461 - Illustration Workshop | 3 | |
| IL 491 - Mentor/Specialization Projects | 3 | |
| RELATED AREA | choice - see Requirements: Related Area Elective(s) | 2 |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts | 3 |
| choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts | 3 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | IL 473 - Advanced Visual Story Studio or IL 485 - Advanced Color Rendering II | 3 |
| IL 493 - Illustration Portfolio Thesis | 3 | |
| RELATED AREA | BE 402 - The Business of Illustration | 1 |
| choice - see Requirements: Related Area Elective(s) | 2 | |
| choice - see Requirements: Related Area Elective(s) | 2 | |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | choice - General Elective | 1.5 |
| TOTAL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS | ||
| MAJOR AREA | 36 | |
| RELATED AREA | 10.5 | |
| LIBERAL ARTS | 15 | |
| ELECTIVE | 1.5 | |
| Total Credits: | 63 | |
Fall 2025 Requirements: See below.
Liberal Arts and Sciences Course Content Requirements
(24 AAS credits* + 15 BFA credits = 39 credits total)
- English: 6 credits.
- History of Art: 12 credits.
- 3 credits CHOICE of one (1) HA course that meets General Education Other World Civilizations requirement (meets G9)
- 9 credits CHOICE of (3) additional courses (See the full list of Art/Design History courses under HA: History of Art and Civilization (meets G7)*
- Mathematics: 3 credits.
- CHOICE of any MA that meets SUNY G2*
- Natural Science: 3 credits.
- CHOICE of any SC that meets SUNY G3*
- General Education: 6 credits.* CHOICE of two (2) courses to meet two (2) different SUNY General Education Areas:
- Social Sciences (G4)
- Western Civilization (G5)
- Arts (G6)
- Foreign Language (G8)
- American History (G10)
Liberal Arts electives: 9 credits.* Select Liberal Arts courses (for which prerequisites have been met) from the following subject areas: AB (Arabic); CH (Chinese); EC (Economics); EN (English); FI (Film and Media Studies); FR (French); HA (History of Art); HE (Health Education) HE 201, HE 301; IT (Italian); JA (Japanese); HI (History); MA (Math); MC (Modern Languages and Cultures); MU (Music); PC (Political Science); PE (Physical Education and Dance) PE 215, PE 216, PE 217; PL (Philosophy); PO (Portuguese); PY (Psychology); SC (Science); SO (Sociology); SP (Spanish); and SS (Social Sciences). See Liberal Arts Courses.
Related Area Elective(s): 7.5 credits.
CHOICE of any elective courses for which prerequisites have been met in Accessories Design (LD); Advertising Design (AD); Communication Design (CD); Animation, Interactive Media & Game Design (CG); Creative Technologies (CT); Entrepreneurship (EP); Fabric Styling (FS); Fashion Design (FD); FX 261; Fine Arts (FA); Graphic Design (GD); Interior Design (ID); Jewelry Design (JD); Menswear (MW); Packaging Design (PK); Photography (PH); Textile/Surface Design (TD); Toy Design (TY); Spatial Experience Design (VP).
*Credits from AAS will apply as appropriate
FIT’s 2+2 degree structure requires an earned AAS or equivalent plus all the BS or BFA degree requirements. For more information, please see Requirements for Degree Completion.
Upon graduating from the Illustration BFA program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a personal illustration style and technique that uses both traditional and digital skills and incorporates acquired knowledge, experience, judgment, and unique aesthetic vision.
- Expand a visual vocabulary into personal visual expression and communication applications.
- Think critically, solve problems creatively, and produce portfolios of industry-oriented artwork.
- Fuse advanced illustration art, technology, entrepreneurial, and oral presentation skills in preparation for industry.
- Employ computer technology as a means of personal expression, as well as professional research and promotional applications, including the development of illustrators’ websites.
- Demonstrate professionalism and creative habits and discipline as means of self- improvement and commercial success.
- Incorporate knowledge of art and illustration history, world history, social sciences, and other liberal arts subjects in producing effective illustrations.