This course aims to provide continuity to the studies in the 1st cycle of the BA in Arts/Cartoon/Illustration, but the option to specialise in Illustration is justified by the greater number and diversity of employment opportunities, both at home and abroad. The MA in Illustration also affords a more consolidated platform to follow a more solid academic route in terms of historical research, criticism or theory. The Professional Preparation strand anticipates the hugely varied applications for Illustration in its growing importance in the Portuguese and international marketplace.
This cycle of studies is organised as follows:
• a master’s course, corresponding to 60 credits, spread over two semesters;
• a second part, corresponding to 60 credits, involving a dissertation or a project
•
or a work placement.
Cartoon/Illustration is awarded the greater number of credits;
Printing Techniques, Graphic design and History of art are given equal weighting;
and a significant weighting is awarded to the Options area, in which the student independently decides which areas will complete his or her training.
Given that this course is of a specialised professional nature, it is considered fundamental to allocate the greatest number of credits permitted by law to the Second Year, which allows students to study in depth according to their operational, technical and artistic skills, so that they can access a broad range of professional outlets.
In order to provide students with the skills required to enable them to have complete control of the whole process, from the creation of original work to their dissemination, the subjects Cartoon/Illustration, Graphic Design and Printing Techniques will use practical and laboratory methodologies. Seminars in History of Art will offer students different professional and artistic experiences through contact with contemporary artists active in the field of Illustration, and these also provide an important opportunity for students to compare their own work with that of specialists, either theoretically or practically. Tutorial Guidance is the method adopted for all modules in the second year, so as to consolidate reflective and critical autonomy with regard to the creative process, as well as organisational skills and work discipline.
With an MA in Illustration, graduates will be able to work with a high level of competence in various fields of illustration, from illustration for periodicals and publications, to design and publicity products, from scientific illustration to the most recent applications of illustration on the World Wide Web. Besides these fields, they may also choose a career as plastic artists, capable of managing their own careers, combining artistic practice with the ability to conduct research and originate a well-grounded theoretical and critical discourse.
| Subject Area | Abbreviation | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Cartoon/Illustration | BD/I | 12 |
| Graphic Design | DG | 9 |
| Printing Techniques | TI | 9 |
| History of Art | HA | 9 |
| Litherature | L | 6 |
| Research Methodologies | MI | 3 |
| Communication | COM | 3 |
| Options | ----- | 9 |
| Dissertation or Project or Work Placement | BD/I | 60 |
Cycle of studies: 2nd cycle
Duration: 2 years (2 semesters + 1 year)
Degree: Master
Total ECTS: 120 credits
Higher Education subsystem: Polytechnic
Places: 15 (2 places reserved for teachers at ESAP-Guimarães)
Predominant subject area: Cartoon / Illustration
Course Director: Rui Maurício
| 1st Year | 1st semester | 2nd semester |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Year | Dissertation, Project or Work Placement | |