Society of Illustrators National Student Competition first prize winning illustration "Wounded Knee," by senior Corinne Reid. Discover more >>>

Illustration is an art of visual communication. The combination of great artwork and wisely chosen ideas is the formula for an illustrator's success in communicating with pictures.

At Montserrat, students become experts in creating and understanding pictures which inform, entertain and persuade their audiences. They develop not just their drawing, painting and media skills, but their creativity and imaginations too.

The program is special in that it educates students as artists of visual communication. In a world where fine arts and communication arts are often separated, Montserrat weaves them together. Students are trained to draw, paint, sculpt and create by fine artists. They are encouraged to explore, innovate and express themselves personally, and uniquely, as artists do.

While developing as artists, students take illustration courses which explore the application of that art to communication projects. They develop their creative concepts and problem solving expertise. Students examine the history of pictorial communication and aim to define its future. Our graduates leave with a sound understanding of the business of illustration and an accomplished portfolio with which to enter the professional world.

Also, at Montserrat, the Illustration Department associates, not isolates itself from Graphic Design, Photography and Animation. Our students take advantage of those courses and the many resources of the other communication arts departments.