Illustration at Anglia Ruskin University's Cambridge School of Art (CSA) is one of the Universities areas of proven excellence.
This course is built on a tradition which goes back 150 years to the founding of CSA. Notable alumni include designer and war artist Edward Bawden; acclaimed graphic satirist Ronald Searle; and the founders of the British TV phenomenon Spitting Image, Roger Law and Peter Fluck. The success of numerous undergraduates in this field led to the founding of the MA Children's Book Illustration, a specialist, studio practice-based degree, which is the first of its kind in the UK.
The increasingly global nature of today's children's publishing industry is reflected in the research and practice of the staff team. The MA Children's Book Illustration is a taught studio course that focuses on the creative development and direction of each student artist. The teaching is delivered primarily by internationally recognised artists, writers and publishers who work professionally in the field of children's books. Each module requires you to propose and develop a project through negotiation with tutors. One-to-one tutorial support is seen as a key element of the student experience along with group critiques, briefings and seminars.
This course has built strong links with the children's publishing industry. The annual London graduation exhibition, which takes place in a leading London gallery in February, is attended by representatives of most leading publishing companies and literary agencies. Bologna Children's Book Fair also provides for opportunities for publishing deals. A more formal partnership exists between the course and Walker Books and its American counterpart, Candlewick Press. Walker books work regularly with our students providing work-experience visits to their London offices and the Annual Sebastian Walker Award for the Most Promising Student.
