Illustration for Interior Design and Architecture - Intensive

Program Overview

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Introduction:

This course offers an exciting introduction into the world of architectural illustration.

Using the techniques applied in the industry, you’ll learn how to create beautiful architectural illustrations using colour, texture and surrounding activity to give a sense of space and bring your work to life.

You’ll learn how to create impactful 2D architectural illustrations using the latest software, focusing predominantly on using Adobe Photoshop and go on to use Adobe Illustrator, Bridge, AutoCAD, Google Earth and Lumion to aid your project as it develops.

It’s useful for all types of visualisation and illustration projects as it will equip you with the fundamental logical steps and processes to complete digital visualisation tasks successfully, and ensure you use the most efficient ways of working.

It’s an important skill to have in the ever-changing industry environment; this course is ideal for professional architects, interior designers, illustrators and artists who want to enhance their skills and be able to take on more visualisation work.

This course is also suitable for anyone interested in visualisation skills; if you’d like to use architectural illustration as a tool to express designs and concepts in a simple way, it’s an informative and exciting means of communication.

On this practical course you’ll use the same techniques used by illustration artists in renowned architectural practices, where designs need to be impactful and beautiful in order to truly sell a scheme and win work from a client.

You’ll create a 2D illustrative plan or elevation that focuses on a building sitting in its environment and surrounded by activity which you can add to your portfolio.

You’ll be encouraged to build your own library of patterns, brushes and animations to enable you to become an independent artist, rather than relying on premade resources provided throughout the course.

Through practical projects, you’ll develop your skills in the software and use a range of tools and techniques to create digital illustrations ready for print or to use online.

You’ll be challenged creatively with the support of a small group of like-minded people, with lots individual attention from the tutor to support your design and illustration skills.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a robust understanding of creating illustrations using software and how to apply techniques in different ways.

You’ll leave with a finished piece of work which can be added to your portfolio, with lots of resources to continue developing your work

A certificate of attendance will be awarded upon completion of the course.

Program Outline

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What you’ll study

On this course, you will:

complete creative tasks and identify your own resources for your work

learn how to export a line drawing from AutoCAD

understand how to set up work in Adobe Photoshop at a desired scale

practice breaking down a task in Adobe Photoshop to work in logical steps

learn how to build upon imagery to block out elements in Adobe Illustrator

apply texture, light and dark shadows, and activity to bring the illustration to life

learn how to file your work logically, using Adobe Bridge

experience using a Wacom tablet to aid your designs

create a library of resources which can be used for future projects.

You will be introduced to the techniques through demonstrations, instructions and feedback.

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How you’re taught

Tutor Profile: Celia Shiels

is a professional architectural illustrator and tutor.

She’s worked on projects such as The Gherkin’s controversial sister; The Tulip, The Dubia Expo Mobility Pavilion, Gabriella Hearts Flagship London store, The Res Sea Airport and Narbo Via.

Celia’s work has been featured in many publications and magazines including ArchDaily, Dezeen and Design Boom.

She’s currently a freelance illustrator and tutor on the Interior Architecture and Design degree course at NTU, which she also graduated from in 2017.

Whilst at Foster + Partners Celia also worked with the Adobe team to develop training materials for staff and has spent considerable time training and mentoring staff.

You can see examples of Celia’s illustrations and what can be produced on the course here.

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Campus and facilities

You will be based in the School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment on the City Campus.

You’ll find collaborative working spaces where you’ll develop your concepts, and IT suites equipped with industry standard software and hardware including Adobe Creative Cloud, Wacom Cintiq Touch Tablets and Pro Creative Pens.

You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

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