Overview
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration and Emerging Media (IEM), offered by the Department of Design and Illustration at Tyler School of Art and Architecture, represents the fusion of timeless illustration practices with today's digital and multimedia environments. This program is meticulously designed to nurture the inherent synergy between traditional illustration methods and the ever-evolving landscape of digital technology. By emphasizing both foundational drawing skills and the exploration of new media, the curriculum is structured to prepare students for the diverse demands of contemporary visual storytelling, ensuring their proficiency in crafting engaging narratives that resonate across a spectrum of digital platforms.
In this program, students embark on a journey that honors the core principles of illustration such as composition and visual narrative, while simultaneously delving into the innovative realms of digital illustration, animation, interactive media, and Augmented and Virtual reality. The curriculum is crafted to offer a comprehensive education that bridges the gap between traditional artistic skills and the technological proficiencies required to navigate the current and future states of media and communication.
Students at Tyler get the best of both worlds: an intimate community with small classes and personal mentorship; and access to the facilities, academic experts and resources of Temple, a leading public research university based in Philadelphia, with its dynamic arts and culture scene and opportunities for professional advancement. Upon completing the BFA in Illustration and Emerging Media, graduates emerge as versatile, innovative image makers ready to make significant contributions to the field of illustration.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: TA-IEM-BFA
Admissions
Admission to Tyler's Studio Art (Bachelor of Fine Arts) programs is based on a review of academic credentials and portfolio review. For detailed information on how to apply, please visit Tyler's Studio Art admissions page.
Because of the demand for a limited number of spaces in the Illustration and Emerging Media major, all BFA students who are not yet declared majors in Illustration and Emerging Media will have to apply for the Sophomore Portfolio Review in DES in order to get into the major, regardless of when that student started at Tyler or when they took Introduction to Visual Communication (DES 2001), Introduction to Digital Tools (DES 2002), and Introduction to Typography (DES 2003).
The review process is required for any Tyler student seeking to enter the major. Because the IEM program follows a strict fall/spring sequence, students may only begin as IEM majors in the fall semester. Students must complete the program in sequence as the capstone courses are offered only in the spring. Admitted students must begin taking required courses in the major at the junior (3xxx) level in the academic year immediately following official admission to the major or their admission to the major will be forfeited.
It is strongly recommended that potential applicants for admission to the IEM major attend one of the official sophomore advising meetings with the IEM Program Head where the application process will be explained.
Laptop Requirements for IEM Majors
The Department of Design and Illustration is committed to excellence in design and the full integration of technologies within our discipline to best educate and prepare our students to become leaders in this field. A thorough understanding of the changing nature of design and the integral role that technology plays in it is essential for all our students to be active participants in this ever-changing environment.
For full device and software requirements and recommendations, please see the Design and Illustration Laptop Requirements.
Study Abroad
Students who plan to study abroad should arrange to meet with their academic advisor and the Education Abroad and Overseas Campuses office as early as possible, preferably during the freshman year, in order to explore options and plan the sequence of courses that would be most appropriate.
Accreditation
Temple University is a non-profit accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). NASAD establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for art and design and art/design-related disciplines, and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational and other art/design-related endeavors.
Contact Information
Dermot Mac Cormack, Chair
Tyler School of Art Building, Rooms 210T and 240L
610-653-8227
dermot@temple.edu
Kelly Holohan, Program Head
Tyler School of Art Building, Room 240M
215-777-9733
kholohan@temple.edu
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Summary of Requirements
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration and Emerging Media may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 126 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. All Illustration and Emerging Media majors must complete the BFA curriculum and General Education requirements.
- Minimum grades of C- or better in DES 2001, DES 2002, and DES 2003 along with an approved portfolio review are required to enter the Illustration and Emerging Media major. The purpose of the mandatory feedback session is to assist students in their planning and set them up for success in selecting and completing their chosen discipline.
- The required Illustration and Emerging Media courses must be completed with a C- or better to fulfill major requirements.
Major Requirements for BFA in Illustration and Emerging Media
Sophomore Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DES 2001 | Introduction to Design and Illustration | 3 |
| DES 2002 | Introduction to Digital Tools | 3 |
| DES 2003 | Introduction to Typography | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Note:
Illustration and Emerging Media majors who plan to study abroad should do so in the second semester of their sophomore year if they plan to graduate in four years. These students should see the Program Head for advising prior to leaving.
Protocol for Portfolio Feedback
There will be two portfolio feedback cycles in the Design and Illustration (DES) department each academic year: the end of the Fall semester (December) and the end of the Spring semester (May). The portfolio reviews will take place in the week after final studio course reviews. Specific dates for the reviews will be announced at the beginning of each semester in the DES 2001 classes. They will also be posted on the Design and Illustration Canvas group. All full-time DES faculty will serve on the Portfolio Feedback Committee.
Applicants must have completed all Tyler Foundations courses (or had approved transfer courses as noted by the Tyler Admissions Office) and the three (3) prerequisites for the major: DES 2001, DES 2002, and DES 2003 with a C-minus or better.
Application and Feedback
Application forms for students who wish to major in Illustration and Emerging Media will be available for eligible students in the department's Design and Illustration Canvas group.
Students who have completed or who are currently enrolled in the three prerequisites for the Illustration and Emerging Media major (DES 2001, DES 2002, and DES 2003) and intend to submit an application for the mandatory portfolio feedback session will be able to obtain an application form, template, and detailed application instructions on Canvas by mid-semester.
Incomplete or late portfolio feedback applications will not be reviewed, but students may re-apply for the next review cycle.
Following the Portfolio Feedback session, students will receive their feedback and acceptance to their chosen major. All students must confirm their intent to major by the deadline or they will forfeit their admission and will need to re-apply in the next portfolio feedback cycle.
Junior Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DES 3001 | Design and Illustration | 3 |
| DES 3002 | Digital Tools | 3 |
| DES 3301 | Illustration 1 | 3 |
| DES 3302 | Illustration 2 | 3 |
| Select one DES Studio Elective from the list below | 3 | |
| One additional Studio Elective is required and is strongly recommended to be taken from the DES or additional Studio Electives listed below | 3 | |
| Illustration History Requirement | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| History of Illustration | ||
ARTH 2676 | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 22 | |
Note:
In the junior year, Illustration 1 and 2 must be taken in sequence (DES 3301 in Fall and DES 3302 in Spring).
Senior Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DES 3303 | Illustration 3 | 3 |
| Select two DES Studio Electives from the list below | 6 | |
| One additional Studio Elective is required and is strongly recommended to be taken from the DES or additional Studio Electives listed below | 3 | |
| Capstone Requirements | ||
| DES 4096 | Capstone: Thesis | 3 |
| DES 4301 | Capstone: Illustration Portfolio | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Note:
- Additional 3000-level DES courses may be taken as studio electives.
- The Capstone DES 4096 Thesis and DES 4301 Illustration Portfolio are offered in spring semesters only. These two courses must be taken in addition to the required DES courses listed above.
- DES 4096 is one of the two required writing intensive courses. The other writing intensive course must be DES 3596 or an Art History course.
DES Studio Electives
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DES 3531 | 3 | |
| DES 3532 | 3 | |
| DES 3533 | 3 | |
| DES 3541 | 3 | |
| DES 3542 | 3 | |
| DES 3543 | 3 | |
| DES 3544 | 3 | |
| DES 3545 | 3 | |
| DES 3546 | 3 | |
| DES 3547 | 3 | |
| DES 3548 | 3 | |
| DES 3549 | 3 | |
| DES 3551 | 3 | |
| DES 3552 | 3 | |
| DES 3553 | 3 | |
| DES 3554 | 3 | |
| DES 3555 | 3 | |
| DES 3556 | 3 | |
| DES 3557 | 3 | |
| DES 3558 | 3 | |
| DES 3559 | 3 | |
| DES 3561 | 3 | |
| DES 3562 | 3 | |
| DES 3563 | 3 | |
| DES 3564 | 3 | |
| DES 3565 | 3 | |
| DES 3566 | 3 | |
| DES 3567 | 3 | |
| DES 3568 | 3 | |
| DES 3569 | 3 | |
| or ART 3041 | ||
| DES 3571 | 3 | |
| DES 3572 | 3 | |
| DES 3573 | 3 | |
| DES 3585 | 3 | |
| DES 3596 | 3 | |
| DES 3651 | 3 | |
| DES 3841 | 3 | |
| DES 3842 | 3 | |
| DES 3101 | 3 | |
| DES 3102 | 3 | |
| DES 3201 | 3 | |
| DES 3202 | 3 | |
Additional Recommended Studio Electives
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ART 2701 | Survey of Lithography and Serigraphy | 3 |
| ART 2702 | Survey of Etching and Relief | 3 |
| ART 2704 | Serigraphy | 3 |
| ART 2705 | Etching | 3 |
| ART 2707 | Lithography | 3 |
| ART 1702 | Artist Books, Zines and Independent Publishing | 3 |
| ART 2205 | Book Structures | 3 |
| ART 2501 | Painting | 3 |
| or ART 2503 | Painting | |
| ART 2507 | Intermediate Figure Drawing | 3 |
| or ART 3517 | Figure Drawing | |
| or ART 3518 | Figure Drawing | |
| ART 3503 | Landscape | 3 |
| or ART 4503 | Landscape | |
| ART 1010 | Special Topics | 1 to 3 |
| ART 1504 | Philadelphia Sketchbook | 3 |
| ART 1502 | Introduction to Visual Language, Painting | 3 |
| ART 2502 | Intermediate Drawing | 3 |
| or ART 2504 | Intermediate Drawing | |
| ART 2506 | Painting Workshop | 3 |
| or ART 3509 | Painting Workshop | |
| ART 3511 | Digital Drawing | 3 |
| ART 3507 | Painting on Paper | 3 |
| or ART 3508 | Painting on Paper | |
| ART 3504 | Figure Painting | 3 |
| or ART 4504 | Figure Painting | |
| ART 2011 | Socially Engaged Arts Practices in Communities | 3 |
| ART 3702 | Relief and Monoprint Workshop | 3 |
| ART 3704 | Advanced Serigraphy | 3 |
| ART 3705 | Advanced Etching | 3 |
| ART 3706 | Advanced Lithography | 3 |
| ART 2601 | Photo I: Digital | 3 |
| ART 2602 | Digital Imaging | 3 |
| ART 2061 | Moving Image and Sound | 3 |
| ART 3603 | Darkroom Photography | 3 |
| ART 3604 | Photographic Lighting | 3 |
| ART 2611 | Eco-Friendly Plant Based Photo Printing | 3 |
| ART 3612 | Photo Process Workshop | 3 |
| ART 3613 | Digital Photography | 3 |
| ART 3614 | The Photo Book: Making and Understanding | 3 |
Suggested Academic Plan
Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration and Emerging Media
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| FDPR 1511 | Foundation Drawing 1 | 3 |
| FDPR 1521 | 2D Foundation Principles | 3 |
| FDPR 1531 | 3D Foundation Principles/W | 3 |
| FDPR 1503 | Woodshop Fundamentals | 1 |
| ARTH 1155 or ARTH 1955 | Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300 or Honors Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300 | 3 |
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| FDPR 1512 | Foundation Drawing | 3 |
| FDPR 1522 | 2D Foundation Principles | 3 |
| FDPR 1532 | 3D Foundation Principles/C | 3 |
| FDPR 1502 | Investigations of Art and Design | 1 |
| ARTH 1156 or ARTH 1956 | Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century 1 or Honors Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century | 3 |
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| DES 2001 | Introduction to Design and Illustration | 3 |
| DES 2002 | Introduction to Digital Tools | 3 |
| DES 2003 | Introduction to Typography | 3 |
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ] | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| DES or ART 2000-2999 Sophomore Studio Elective | 3 | |
| ART 2000-2999 Sophomore Studio Elective | 3 | |
| ART 2000-2999 Sophomore Studio Elective | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| DES 3001 | Design and Illustration | 3 |
| DES 3002 | Digital Tools | 3 |
| DES 3301 | Illustration 1 2 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
ARTH 2676 | ||
| History of Illustration | ||
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| DES 3302 | Illustration 2 3 | 3 |
| DES Studio Elective | 3 | |
| DES or ART Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Art History Elective (WI) 4, 5 | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| DES 3303 | Illustration 3 2, 6 | 3 |
| DES Studio Elective 6 | 3 | |
| DES Studio Elective 6 | 3 | |
| Non-Studio Elective | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| DES 4096 | Capstone: Thesis [WI] 3 | 3 |
| DES 4301 | Capstone: Illustration Portfolio 3, 6 | 3 |
| DES or ART Studio Elective | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Open Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 126 | |
- 1
These 2 courses constitute the waiver for the GenEd Arts category if the courses are completed with a C- or better.
- 2
Courses offered in Fall only.
- 3
Courses offered in Spring only.
- 4
Students completing a three-credit Art History 2000+ elective must select a four-credit open elective to reach the minimum 126 credits to earn the BFA degree.
- 5
DES 3596 may be taken to fulfill the second Writing Intensive course requirement. If so, a non-Writing Intensive Art History course will fulfill the Art History requirement.
- 6
DES 3301 or DES 3302 or DES 3303 and a minimum of two DES 3000-3999 studios must be successfully completed in the Fall to take DES 4101 or DES 4201 or DES 4301.