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Cyprus International University
TR

CONCEPTUAL ILLUSTRATION

Course
GRDE403 - CONCEPTUAL ILLUSTRATION
Department
Graphic Design - English - Undergraduate
Course Type
Course
Status
Required
Language
English
Credit
3
ECTS
4
T+P+L
2 + 2 + 0
Course Coordinator(s)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Gürkan GÖKAŞAN
Prerequisite
-
Keywords

Course Description

An advanced illustration studio examining the creation of tactile, textural and pattern applications in graphic design. Exploration of media, materials, styles and techniques for use in various design projects. Emphasis is placed on the development of hand skills and quick sketch techniques to better communicate visual ideas. Students learn to build a connection between the visual images and concepts. The illustration represents the conceptual matter into a visual communication element. Students study to create illustrations digitally using the drawing tablets as well. Illustrations of picture books, maps, characters, patterns, emoticons, concept, scientific, botany and so on are the subjects of this course.

CONCEPTUAL ILLUSTRATION

Evaluation Tools (Active Term)

Item Type Weight (%)
MIDTERM Midterm 30
FINAL Final 40
PROJECT-I Project 15
PROJECT-II Project 15
Total 100

Course outcomes

  1. 01 Examine (3) the visualization of the concepts
  2. 02 Create (5) original illustrations and visualize (5) the ideas using digital tools like drawing pad.
  3. 03 Assess (5) the illustration methods
  4. 04 Characterize (4) and illustrate (3) based on concepts and text.
  5. 05 Assess (5) and Categorize (4) different illustration fields like film, animation, book and game medias

Course Syllabus

Week Topic
Week 1 Introduction about course, Classroom rules, exam types etc.
Week 2 Introduction to Conceptual Illustration: What is conceptual illustration? Difference between literal vs. conceptual imagery. Survey of contemporary illustrators. Exercise: Create 3 quick thumbnail sketches for one abstract word (e.g., “freedom”).
Week 3 Idea Generation & Visual Metaphor Techniques: brainstorming, word association, mind mapping. Symbolism and metaphor in visual language. Workshop: Turn 5 abstract concepts into symbolic icons
Week 4 Storytelling & Narrative in Illustration How stories are built in single-frame visuals. Sequential vs. standalone conceptual images. Exercise: One-panel illustration that tells a complete story.
Week 5 Research & Concept Development Research as inspiration: cultural, historical, social themes. Mood boards and visual references. Workshop: Develop sketches for an editorial illustration.
Week 6 Composition & Visual Hierarchy Balance, contrast, and focus. Directing the viewer’s eye. Exercise: Redesign an existing illustration to shift emphasis.
Week 7 Experimenting with Styles & Media Traditional vs. digital approaches. Stylization, abstraction, exaggeration. Workshop: Same concept illustrated in two different styles.
Week 8 MIDTERM
Week 9 MIDTERM
Week 10 Illustration for Editorial & Advertising Working with text + image. Conveying complex ideas with clarity. Exercise: Create a conceptual illustration for a magazine article.
Week 11 Social & Cultural Commentary Illustration as critique or activism. Ethical responsibilities of illustrators. Workshop: Poster illustration on a social issue.
Week 12 Experimental Illustration Breaking conventions: surrealism, collage, mixed media. Pushing boundaries of representation. Exercise: Concept illustration using collage or photo manipulation.
Week 13 Project Development I Students pitch final project idea. Refining sketches with instructor feedback. Deliverable: Project proposal + initial drafts.
Week 14 Final Presentation & Exhibition Presentation of final conceptual illustration projects. Group critique + reflection.
Week 15 FINAL

Reference Books & Course Materials

  1. 01 Drawn In: A Peek Into The Inspiring Sketchbooks of 44 Fine Artists, Julia Rothmann, Quarry Books,2011
  2. 02 Inside the Business of Illustration, Steven Heller, 2004
  3. 03 The Art of Looking Sideways, Fletcher, PHAIDON, 2001
  4. 04 Songür Dağ, E. 2015. İllüstrasyonun İkinci Altın Çağı. Grafik Kitaplığı

Learning Outcomes

  1. L01 Examine (3) the visualization of the concepts SOLO 3
  2. L02 Create (5) original illustrations and visualize (5) the ideas using digital tools like drawing pad. SOLO 5
  3. L03 Expresses(3) an idea, concept or phenomenon visually in a creative way SOLO 3
  4. L04 Characterize (4) and illustrate (3) based on concepts and text. SOLO 3.5
  5. L05 Assess (5) and Categorize (4) different illustration fields like film, animation, book and game medias SOLO 4.5

Program Outcomes

  1. P01 The student chooses the design principles and can match the application
  2. P02 Students will be able to define national and international values in art and design
  3. P03 Students will be able to define abstract and concrete design concepts and express them in composition
  4. P04 The student can adjust the time correctly to complete his / her graphic application
  5. P05 The student matches the relationship between image and meaning
  6. P06 Students can express what they see by drawing
  7. P07 Identifies the traces, aligns, and calculates the hierarchy of typographic elements
  8. P08 Defines and lists art and design materials
  9. P09 Expresses an idea, concept or phenomenon visually in a creative way
  10. P10 Solves the design problems encountered in the process
  11. P11 Symbolizes concepts, situations, and objects in the visual context
  12. P12 Develops design projects by recalling basic graphic design principles
  13. P13 Applies technology effectively in the design process
  14. P14 Can think critically and question theoretical gains in the context
  15. P15 Relate the past, present, and future of design
  16. P16 Can perform original works related to the field and evaluate the results
  17. P17 Designs and produces different visual areas such as multimedia, advertising graphics, animation, new media, printmaking, and photography
  18. P18 Improves communication skills for teamwork
  19. P19 Can effectively discuss, criticize and form theory about the field
  20. P20 Student can organize paragraphs, single-column, multi-column and modular grids in book and magazine designs
  21. P21 Can plan collaborations with colleagues in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary environments
  22. P22 Can associate written texts with visual images
  23. P23 Can observe and compare in the context of art criticism methods
  24. P24 Can apply legal regulations and procedures in the field
  25. P25 Be able to associate written texts with visual images

Po-Lo Matrix

LO P01 P02 P03 P04 P05 P06 P07 P08 P09 P10 P11 P12 P13 P14 P15 P16 P17 P18 P19 P20 P21 P22 P23 P24 P25 Average
L01 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
L02 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
L03 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
L04 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
L05 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0