Children's Book Illustration – (M.A.)

Illustration at Cambridge School of Art (CSA) has recently been declared one of our University's 'areas of proven excellence'.

It 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 TV phenomenon Spitting Image, Roger Law and Peter Fluck. The success of numerous undergraduates in this field led to the founding of this specialist, studio-practice-based MA, which is the first of its kind in the UK.

Interest in the art of illustration for children has grown considerably in recent years. Our UK heritage is particularly strong going back to early chapbooks, through Thomas Bewick, Walter Crane, Randolph Caldecott, the 'golden age' of Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulac, and through the 20th century with Edward Ardizzone and Quentin Blake. Blake is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from our University.

The increasingly global nature of today's children's publishing industry is reflected in the research and practice of the staff team.

The MA in 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, within the broad parameters of the module definition. One-to-one tutorial support is seen as a key element of the student experience along with group critiques, briefings and seminars.