Artwork by Robin Humphrey
Online Microcredential: Courses are delivered completely online.
Aspiring illustrators and authors are introduced to the multifaceted world of children’s book design and illustration while surveying the creative and technical aspects of the illustration field. In this accelerated program, learn how to communicate visually and translate words into pictures as you develop skills in illustrating for young audiences. Work on image creation, storytelling, and character development as you create a personal project that can be used as a springboard for your career in children’s books.
Microcredential Guide and Cost Breakdown (PDF)
Microcredential Program Info and Policies
Skill Development:
- Character design and development.
- Story interpretation, pacing, and structure through storyboarding.
- Digital illustration and software proficiency using Adobe Photoshop and Procreate.
- Children's book publishing industry standards and practices.
- Elective skills: Fiction writing competency and craftsmanship or dynamic cover design.
Learning Outcomes:
- Establish a solid ideation process that supports the creation of high-quality children's book illustration.
- Understand how to visually communicate a narrative text through interpretation and personalization.
- Understand the overall structure of picture book design: development of page design layouts, sequencing and visual pacing of images, text integration, end page designs, and cover art.
- Gain exposure to a variety of media techniques, including both traditional and digital.
- Understand how to tailor vocabulary and storytelling to specific age groups for young audiences.
- Gain exposure to a variety of media techniques, including both traditional and digital.
- Understand how to tailor vocabulary and storytelling to specific age groups for young audiences.
- Knowledge of submitting an illustration portfolio and creating a draft package for a book proposal.
Special Equipment:
This program requires access to a digital drawing tablet such as Wacom Intuos, Bamboo, Cintiq, or iPad with an Apple Pencil for the Digital Illustration Techniques course.
Program Cost
$2,500 total
Current tuition rates; subject to change over the course of your program. Service fees, supplies, software subscription fees and other materials are not included.