Program Overview

Introduction to the Illustration Certificate

The Illustration Certificate is a cumulative experience of six required illustration courses. Students must complete five of the following illustration course offerings: DSGN 347, DSGN 348, DSGN 349, DSGN 357, DSGN 358, or DSGN 367. Each of these courses represents a unique approach to the illustration discipline. In addition, students must take DSGN 368, which focuses on the business of illustration, covering professional practices for the industry. The combination of courses is intended to give students the knowledge and skill set to augment their major and/or consider a career as a freelance illustrator.

Why Consider an Illustration Certificate?

The Design Minor can complement or enhance the value of a major through acquired familiarity with historical, conceptual, and technical aspects of the design field. Students develop foundational skills in visual form and gain insight into the culture and practices of the profession.

Student Resources

• Department website: Design
• Department advising: Admitted and/or current students visit the Admissions section of the Design website.
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)

The Illustration Certificate is intended for design and studio art majors, but is open to all majors during certain phases of registration.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for all design courses. If a student fails to meet this requirement in an Illustration course, they must retake the course the following year or take an alternative Illustration course offered towards the Illustration Certificate total credit amount.

Requirements (18 credits)

Illustration Courses

• DSGN 368 - Professional Practices for Illustrators (Credits: 3)
• Complete five of the following courses (15 credits):
  • DSGN 347 - Illustration Methods (Credits: 3)
  • DSGN 348 - Visual Concepts in Illustration (Credits: 3)
  • DSGN 349 - Introduction to Animation Techniques (Credits: 3)
  • DSGN 357 - Narrative Illustration (Credits: 3)
  • DSGN 358 - Digital Methods for Illustrators (Credits: 3)
  • DSGN 367 - Commercial Illustration Concepts (Credits: 3)

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement

Tribal Lands Statement

Western Washington University's main campus is situated on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples, who have lived in the Salish Sea basin, all throughout the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades watershed from time immemorial. We express our deepest respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbors, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.