The Illustrated Book

Prerequisites: ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: ARTDES 269: Figure Drawing, ARTDES 270: Visualizing and Depicting Ideas. OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

Description: In The Illustrated Book, we will examine a variety of illustrated books. You will complete two projects; the first will be a re-interpretation of an existing story no longer held in copyright; the second will be created de novo; a book that you have written, illustrated, and designed yourself. To participate in this course, you should be adept at drawing (on paper & electronic devices). Good figure drawing skills are a must. An aptitude for design is a plus. You should have good writing skills and be well-read (literature of any sort). A variety of courses and experience will help you fulfill these requirements. Unless your work is known to the instructor, you will be asked to present a portfolio supporting your ability to successfully complete this course. NOTE: What’s the difference between an ​“illustrated book” and a ​“comic”? In the context of the courses offered at Stamps, the difference is in the role of the images. In comics, the images serve, in combination with the text, to advance the narrative. They generally offer information without which the story would be incomprehensible (usually). In an illustrated book, the illustrations are generally redundant of the text; they are an interpretation of what the text is describing. They may contain additional information, but they don’t have a role in advancing the narrative (usually). To participate in this course, you should be adept at drawing (on paper & electronic devices). Good figure drawing skills are a must. An aptitude for design is a plus. You should have good writing skills and be well-read (literature of any sort). A variety of courses and experience will help you fulfill these requirements.

Frequency: This course is typically offered in the winter term of odd-numbered years, though scheduling may vary according to future term circumstances.