Illustrations Illustratio. Originated from Latin, the word originally meant to "illuminate", but in reality it also exists as a subsidiary of words, playing a role in helping words to express. It can be said that illustration is a process of transforming abstract theme concepts with intuitive visual elements. The illustration design of art study abroad can be simply understood as an illustration, which is a form of artistic expression embedded with narrative structure. Unlike serial paintings, they are generally short in length and concise in stories, mainly including some philosophical stories. In the early days, illustration was mainly used as a partial page that did not appear independently. In recent years, it has developed its own system and style. The illustration design of art study abroad has achieved a good balance between pure art and design creativity, and the employment field is relatively wide.

Compared with other design majors such as product design, service design, clothing design, etc., the art study abroad illustration major is a self oriented major with more autonomy and higher requirements for the self-expression and personality display of the creators of works. Other design majors are more market-oriented and more practical.

The illustration design for art study abroad meets the characteristics of self orientation, while it also has a certain function of serving the object. Therefore, illustration is between pure art and design in terms of professional classification. The development of illustration has seen more and more comprehensive features, not only the theme and style, but also great changes in cross integration with other disciplines. For example, in graphic design, more and more posters, advertisements, packaging and brand VIs with illustration style can be seen.

In addition to the development in the field of traditional illustration and illustration and other interdisciplinary fields, illustrators have actually begun to become more enthusiastic about setting up their own studios. These studios are often very independent and have their own unique painting style, which has attracted many brand cooperation in other industries. In particular, illustrators with overseas study background are often favored by brands and partners. This has to say the similarities and differences in the teaching of illustration at home and abroad.

Differences and Similarities between the Present Situation of Illustration Major at Home and Abroad

The illustration majors at home and abroad will teach students basic modeling, color, composition ability training in basic teaching. But the difference is that foreign art schools pay more attention to the creative expression of students' themes, and students can choose themes more broadly without too many restrictions. In terms of teaching, the teacher will not give students too many restrictions on the theme, and will encourage students to find the theme they are interested in freely.

Secondly, foreign art colleges also pay more attention to the cultivation of personal style, which is also highly experimental. In addition to the traditional style, there are many works with strong contemporary art style. Students will try to make some breakthroughs in many aspects, such as the use of experimental materials, presentation methods, and expression media.

The last difference is reflected in the focus of art colleges at home and abroad. Domestic art schools pay more attention to students' basic skills, including the completion of the final stage, while foreign art schools pay more attention to the middle experimental process, the development process of the theme, and the logical process. Especially when applying to art schools, this must be noted in the collection of works.

Often a collection of illustration design works, the school does not value the integrity of the works, strong experimental ideas, special themes or very self style, will become an important quality in the collection inspection. Especially for the art study abroad illustration design, a profession with strong self-directed characteristics and less constraints, we should develop our own style more and study the theme we really like when creating.

From the above, it can be seen that foreign illustration majors have obvious advantages over domestic ones. First, they are more active. Second, because students have been trying different creative expressions, the works they eventually present will also have more personal style and recognition. The environment and learning atmosphere of foreign art colleges are also relatively free, and students will have the opportunity to cooperate with foreign companies, studios or brands in the learning process.

Theme form of illustration design for art study abroad

There are two themes in the production of professional works of illustration

　　 I Story illustration

Storytelling illustrations are mainly comic books and picture books with story plots. The purpose of this form of illustration as a monster is to investigate the students' ability of Storytelling. How to tell stories and how to grasp the story's origin, cause, result, climax, character relationship, scene setting and timeline are the main points of this type of illustration.

In fact, behind such illustrations, there is often a text of a story clue. The story text can be its own original, an adaptation of the existing text, or a direct reproduction of the existing text.

For the change of the existing text, it is necessary to restore the character characteristics and scene description of the characters in the creation process, and then you can also have your own innovation and transformation on this basis.

Compared with the adaptation of existing stories, foreign art schools certainly prefer original stories. If the creators want to make their works more full and rich, they need to be able to experience life in depth, observe attentively, and mobilize all aspects of their senses at any time.

Not only the sense of vision, but also the sense of hearing, touch and smell. These senses can help you capture more inspiration in the creation process. When all the senses are sensitively mobilized, they can quickly receive information and feedback into their own creation.

　　 II Design theme of illustration for art study abroad

　　 1. Science fiction and fantasy theme

Illustrations on this kind of theme are mainly about brain opening! Pay great attention to personalized imagination, and even need some surreal pictures.

　　 2. Application class

Illustrations with guiding diagrams and legends, such as instructions, maps, recipes, etc., which explain the content of functions or steps.

　　 3. Fashion illustration

Illustrations of fashion, accessories, home furnishing, beauty, etc. in magazines

　　 4. Illustrator

Medicine, zoology, geology, botany, astronomy, etc

　　 5. Painting Diary

This kind of illustration is more personal, because it records more life content, daily arrangements, life activities, etc

　　 6. Political

It is suitable for election, assembly and other occasions with political color, such as the American general election, where there will be such public opinion oriented illustrations as satire, support, and vote soliciting, which have certain publicity

Style of illustration design works collection

If it is not particularly possible to imitate, generally everyone has a certain personal style. According to different audiences or story content, we can do some specific applications to distinguish.

To establish personal style, you need to have a huge amount of audience. On this basis, you can start from imitation, gradually develop and explore your own unique personal style.

Most colleges and universities do not put forward clear requirements for style when applying for art study abroad, and students can freely choose their creative style and painting theme. However, some schools, such as Rhode Island, have independent propositions, and such schools should pay special attention.

　　 Key points of exhibition of art overseas illustration design works

Clear theme - can clearly and accurately convey a unique concept, and have a unique personal style

The expressiveness of the picture -- the most basic shape, composition, color and proportion of the picture should be harmonious

Storytelling - the picture time has continuity of succession, which can attract viewers

Interestingness - also known as "brain hole", "ingenuity", "creativity", which can be derived from the story, the characters, or color matching, overall style

　　 Take British and American art colleges as an example:

Through the definition and requirements of SVA and UAL on illustration design works, we can see the difference between British and American universities.

For undergraduate applications, illustration design collections can be prepared in a variety of ways, because schools hope that students can show their comprehensive abilities as much as possible. Although the applicant is an illustrator, the collection of works submitted by students should not be limited to the illustrator, but should also submit some works related to photography, installation, imaging and other majors.

However, for the application of art graduate students to study abroad, more emphasis should be placed on professionalism, and there will be stricter requirements for the integrity of the internal project of the works. The school generally requires students to show the whole logical system of the whole project from the initial research to the medium-term development.

　　 A complete set of illustration design works often needs four parts

Professional projects

Display of basic skills

　　Sketchbook

Display of professional ability in other fields (photography, product design, sculpture, video, etc.)

　　 Steps to complete illustration design portfolio

Source of inspiration - find the theme and entry point specific to the project

Research - adopt different research methods according to different themes (interview, business, artist research, data collection, etc.)

Draw a sketch - this includes the selection of materials, the experimental process of display media, etc

Exhibition of works - make the works into a complete picture book by shooting, typesetting or combining with other disciplines. Need to consider binding, dynamic production, typesetting, etc

More articles on illustration design for art study abroad:

American University of Illustration Design: What are the schools in the United States that offer illustration majors?

The design application of illustration for studying abroad, and the preparation of the collection of illustration for studying abroad in British and American countries are different

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