Program Overview

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Illustration (ILS)

Program Overview

This two-year creative diploma program combines traditional and digital illustrative media with freelance business skills to help you succeed as a professional illustrator.

Program Details

• Start Dates: January, September
• Campus: Seneca@York
• Delivery: Hybrid
• Duration: 4 Semesters (16 Months Consecutive)
• Credential: Ontario College Diploma
• School: School of Creative Arts & Animation

About the Program

The program’s specialties include children’s book illustration, comics, editorial illustration, and concept art for film and game animation. Students will build their visual art skills through drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpting, and digital media. At the same time, they will learn how to run their own small business as an entrepreneurial artist with innovative courses exploring website development, accounting, marketing, and revenue-generating skills.

Skills

• Advanced drawing and painting
• Concept development
• Critical thinking
• Digital painting
• Developing your creative voice
• Entrepreneurship skills
• Sculpting
• Printmaking
• Visual development

Program Availability

• Canadian Applicants:
  • Start in Sept. 2025 | Location Seneca@York | Availability _ _ Waitlist
  • Start in Jan. 2026 | Location Seneca@York | Availability _ _ Open
• International Applicants:
  • Start in Sept. 2025 | Location Seneca@York | Availability _ _ Open
  • Start in Jan. 2026 | Location Seneca@York | Availability _ _ Open

Program and Course Delivery

This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format. Some coursework is online, and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program may pursue a career as a freelance illustrator for:

• Children's books
• Comics and graphic novels
• Editorial publications
• Film
• Gaming
• Online platforms
• Packaging

Affiliations/Associations

• Toronto Comics Arts Festival (TCAF)
• Canzine: Festival of Zines
• CANSCAIP
• ACM SIGGRAPH
• Future. Innovation. Technology. Creativity. (FITC)
• Interactive Ontario
• Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI)

The Seneca Polytechnic Difference

This is where university meets college. Where theory meets practice. Where ambition meets flexibility.

Degree Pathways

Every Seneca diploma has a degree pathway. You have the opportunity to continue your studies and complete a degree at Seneca or a partner institution.

Career Support

Seneca Works offers students and graduates lifelong access to an exclusive job board, career coaching, networking, and more.

Facilities

You will gain hands-on, practical experience in our on-campus state-of-the-art Drawing Studio, preparing you for your in-demand career.

Student Experience

Graduate Career-Ready

Take the next step in your academic journey at Seneca. Join thousands of graduates who are making a difference here and around the world.

Student Works

Explore the creative work of Illustration students in our student works and experiences gallery.

The Reciprocity Mural

The Reciprocity Mural is a floor-to-ceiling art display spanning seven walls at Seneca’s Newnham Campus Cafeteria. Under the artistic direction of JoAnn Purcell, Program Co-ordinator of the Illustration program, and Martha Newbigging, Program Co-ordinator of the Art Fundamentals program, a team of five artists — all Seneca graduates — took on the task of seeing the project through from conceptualization to completion.

Related Programs

• Animation
• Art & Design Foundations
• Graphic Design
• Virtual Production – Art Department Content Creation