A time to apply and share your knowledge. As you build confidence in your practice, you will work towards the application of your work, and communication to your audience and peers. Through clarity of intent and visual storytelling, you will gain compositional skills to implement your work, ready to present as a professional outcome.

- This module is concerned with conveying meaning and information in its many different forms and deals with the practical issues of visual problem solving within the broad field of visual communication.
- Building on previous modules, through scaffold learning we encourage you to review, extend, develop and apply the use of (new) creative visual thinking, visual language manipulative skills and a variety of communication methods towards fresh and innovative solutions.
You will work on live or simulated competition briefs reflecting entry level industry practice, to address professional development, understanding of industry standards and presentation skills.
- You understand how AI software can aid in your development of ideas creation and implementation of concepts.
- Ensure that your ideas and concepts are grounded with authoritative research and understanding of materials.
- You will also concentrate on the practical exploration of composition, communicating through pictures, visual metaphors, and cultural aspects of image making.
- You will address ethnographic and anthropological practices which reflect creative conscience and planet centred design.
- You will continue to explore diverse mark making methods and techniques as part of your unique visual language.
- You will be encouraged to adopt an experimental and investigative approach to use of media platforms, understanding how illustration can raise awareness, advocate and inform audiences and impact decision making of diverse audiences.

Assessment 1: Portfolio

An individual portfolio of work comprising:
Research of concept and design development in the form of sketchbooks or digital journals that will provide evidence of your ability to work through the design process including:
- Visual research and reference to industry practitioners and sector practice.
- Idea development and iterations.
- Creative visual thinking and communication of an appropriate solution.
- Final outcomes / artefact / prototype

Assessment 2: Professional development statement

You will produce a professional development statement, submitted either as a written statement or an equivalent recorded or live presentation. The submission should critically reflect on your illustration practice across the module, including creative process, research, use of tools and media (including AI where appropriate), ethical and audience considerations, and responses to industry-relevant briefs. You will evaluate your developing professional identity and future aspirations within contemporary illustration and visual communication practice.

Option 1: Written (1,800 words)
Option 2: Recorded or live presentation (6-8 minutes)

Formative Assessment:

Midway formative feedback will be embedded within practical sessions, providing structured opportunities for feedback on work-in-progress to support student development and progression.

Project work will integrate practical (technical, aesthetic) and theoretical aspects of visual communication.

You will be required to participate in:
Introductory lectures
Seminars & Lectures
Technical workshops/ Academic workshops (formal technical instruction sessions and library, design collection and design museum/exhibition-based activities).
Group tutorials
Critique and feedback sessions
Group work
Formative assessments
Independent study in support of your practical work.

1. Produce a resolved body of illustration work that demonstrates independent practice, professional awareness, and effective communication for identified audiences.

Knowledge & Understanding

2. Apply critical reasoning and creative problem-solving to address complex, industry-relevant challenges through research-informed visual language, composition, and media experimentation, informed by academic, technical, or professional feedback.

Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

3. Communicate creative intent and outcomes through appropriate professional and disciplinary formats.

Communication

4. Reflect on your developing professional identity and practice, including ethical awareness, use of tools and processes, and future aspirations within contemporary illustration.

Personal Development and Entrepreneurship

Student Life https://www.youtube.com/@uniofstaffsstudentlife/videos
University Careers https://staffs.careercentre.me/Members
University Library https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/library
Library Creative
Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant
Specialist Spaces and studio workspace
Smart Zone
3D Workshops
CAD Labs & Digital Design workshops
Print Bureau & Experimental Print
Betty Smithers Design collection
Microsoft 360 and Teams platforms.

Cliffe, K. and Fabricant, R. (2020) User friendly. London: Penguin Random House.

Falb, D. et al. (2023) Let’s get sustainable.

Howells, R. and Negreiros, J. (2018) Visual culture. 3rd edn. London: Sage.

Johnson, M. (2012) Problem solved. 2nd edn. London: Phaidon Press.

McLuhan, M., Fiore, Q. and Agel, J. (2023) The medium is the message. Illustrated edn. Corte Madera, CA: Gingko Press.

Where older texts are included, they are retained as foundational texts within the discipline, remaining relevant where no more recent equivalent texts are available.

How can illustration influence, inform, and inspire real audiences?
In this Level 5 module, you’ll apply your illustration skills to convey meaning and create impact through powerful visual communication. Working on industry-relevant briefs, you’ll explore how imagery can advocate and inform, creating illustrations that matter. Through research-led experimentation across digital and analogue media, you’ll develop professional, audience-focused outcomes that strengthen your visual language to prepare you for contemporary illustration practice and creative careers.