Learning drawing and communication to pursue forms of expression that are uniquely yours
The Illustration Course offers a curriculum based on the themes of drawing and communication.Students focus on drawing in their first and second years and are exposed to various techniques to develop a rich imagination and sensitivity.In their third and fourth years, students practice self-expression, learn media formats through practical courses, and learn how to communicate.Illustrations can be used in all kinds of ways across nearly every media genre, from picture books, comics, and visual art to the fields of design and advertising.In the unique learning environment of the Illustration Course, your potential is infinite.
Subject Highlights
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What makes certain lines, shapes, and colors attractive? The Illustration Course hones students’ sensitivity to these basics of expression.
[Image Expression / Year 1]
Through tasks such as composing with colored paper and designing monochromatic figures, students search for the lines, shapes, and colors that appeal to them.Instead of drawing illustrations, they engage with simple lines, shapes, and colors to develop their imagination and sensitivity, which form the building blocks of any two-dimensional expression. -
Making posters and learning the basics of illustration and design
[Image Expression / Year 2]
Students learn how to apply the imagination and sensibilities they developed in their first year in broader society andstudy the basics of illustration and graphic design to make posters and magazine covers.The course conducts different modes of expression while considering what and how to communicate and to whom.
What You Will Study
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1STYEAR
Developing sensibilities and drawing abilities
Students will learn a wide range of creative potential with a focus on drawing by hand.
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2NDYEAR
Expanding your creativity
Students develop their sensitivities and creativity and learn the basics of different drawing techniques and digital expression.
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3RDYEAR
Exploring the Expression of the Self
Students create high-quality works and search for communicative modes of expression as they aim to become professional creators.
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4THYEAR
Making artwork for the real world
Students choose a theme and plan for a capstone art project they produce as the culmination of four years of study.
What You Will Learn
- A rich sensitivity and imagination
- The ability to handle various methods of expression
- The ability to understand and articulate the differences between media formats
Facilities
Each student has their own desk in the studio where they can immerse themselves in their work.
PICK UP!
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Class in the studio
Photo Gallery
Careers
The highly specialized studies that begin in a student’s third year are directly linked to their future career path.Students learn to harness their creativity and work in various fields, including freelance illustration, picture books, art writing, and as designers or other corporate creators.The Faculty of Design also boasts a high general employment rate for its graduates’ communication abilities.
- Building a career as an illustrator
- Publishing works as a picture book author
- Presenting artwork to the world as a visual artist
- Graphic design for advertisements and magazines
Voice
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KURISU Emi Current Student My dream is to draw images that soothe the hearts and minds of those who see them
I chose Kyoto Seika University because I wanted to study in an environment where I was surrounded by art every day.In the Illustration Course, you can learn techniques like printmaking and photography and apply them to your own illustrations.I have used the methods I’ve experienced here to pursue my own style and build a unique worldview through different modes of expression.Outside of technique, I enjoyed my design workshop class, where we exhibited and sold our works outside the university.Not only did I learn how to draw the kinds of pictures I like, but I also gained a better sense of how to market myself, and I learned a lot from the advice of my instructor, who is a professional designer.I have been drawing pictures all my life, but what has changed since I entered university is that I can now explain my work clearly in my own words.Since we do joint reviews on each assignment, I’ve learned the skills needed to communicate my intention and creative process. Explaining my process has even helped me refine my concepts.I’m also starting my career as an independent artist, so I’m inspired by the many experienced artists I meet at galleries.Eventually, I'd like to draw soothing images that can be featured in all kinds of media as I build my career as an illustrator. -
KISHIMOTO Keiko Academic Faculty Examine yourself and expand your world.
I work professionally in both graphic design and illustration. While media continues to evolve digitally—making it easier than ever to share information quickly—there’s also growing appreciation for physical objects like books and packaging, which people can hold, keep, and connect with on a personal level. To create something truly meaningful, we need to understand the nature of each medium and find ways to harness the strengths of both. Illustration has the power to move people. Through digital platforms, you can connect with people all over the world, while a thoughtfully crafted poster—with attention to paper and print—can stand on its own as a work of art.Being surrounded by nature at Kyoto Seika University creates a deeply inspiring environment to nurture a rich artistic sensibility. Your senses awaken to the scent of plants, the air, the birdsong—letting you reflect deeply on the feelings they stir. One of the defining features of the Department of Illustration is that every student has their own desk in the classroom, allowing you to focus fully on your work, free from outside distractions and at your own pace. I hope you’ll immerse yourself in the creative process and, over the course of these four years, discover what truly matters to you. -
KITAMURA Kenji Academic Faculty Calling all people who love to draw.
As a professional illustrator, I work in a range of media, including print publications, advertising, events, apparel, and television commercials.In my work, I am conscious of maintaining a personal touch within the role that illustration plays.Without something unique to say, you won’t be able to find work.Even so, commissioned drawings must fit the formats and themes of the media in which they are published.In class, I make the most of my experience as an illustrator to teach students how to produce a style unique to them and how creative expression works in the media in the context of each student’s individuality.There is no set style to illustration.Whether you draw something stylish, pop, realistic, artistic, or comical—the possibilities for expression are endless.And this course consists of classes in a variety of expressive techniques.I hope that the techniques students experience here become tools to guide their exploration into individual expression.At Kyoto Seika, other faculties and courses expose students to fields other than illustration that include art, design, music, and fashion,providing a stimulating creative environment with their peers.I hope that students cherish their love of drawing and have a productive and fruitful four years at university.Because the more you draw, the more your work will grow.