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Art, Illustration Concentration, B.F.A.

Program Overview

At UNC Charlotte, we believe that Art is vital. Vital to our students, our university, our communities, and our future. In the Department of Art & Art History, we celebrate the unique role that art and design play in historical and contemporary societies and foster globally informed engagement with visual culture. We are dedicated to effecting change through critical thinking, creative practice, and leadership in art education, art history, design, and studio art. Discover UNC Charlotte’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art with seven concentrations: art education, digital media, illustration, painting, photography, print media and 3D Interdisciplinary Studies.

In the B.F.A. in Art with a concentration in Illustration, you’ll learn how to tell stories through powerful images. You can pursue one or both offered illustration tracks: visual development and narrative.  In the visual development track you will create imaginative worlds through environment and character design, preparing you for concept development in the fields of animation, games, and film. The narrative track explores visual storytelling through picture books, sequential art, and editorial illustration for the publishing and entertainment industry.  You’ll gain hands-on experience using both traditional and digital tools while building a strong portfolio that reflects your unique creative voice.

Program Contact

Chelsea Brtis

Assistant Professor of Digital Illustration Art & Art History

aahadmissions@charlotte.edu

Illustration at a Glance

This Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art provides in-depth study in the concentration area. Because it requires 79 credit hours of courses within the Department of Art & Art History, and because many of the concentration courses are sequential, it is important to begin taking three studio art courses and one art history course during the first semester of study. All Studio Art and Graphic Design courses are open to Art (BA or BFA) or Graphic Design (BFA) majors only. The department requires an Entrance Portfolio and accepts new students into the Art and Graphic Design majors for Fall semesters only. UNC Charlotte is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Delivery
On-Campus
Total Credit Hours
120 Credit Hours
Major Courses
79 credit hours
Admits
Fall Semester Only

Find your artistic voice

This Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art provides in-depth study of art in one of our seven concentration areas. Discover our concentrations in art education, digital media, illustration, painting, photography, print media and 3D interdisciplinary studies!

Admission Details

To become an Art major, all students must submit an entrance portfolio and be accepted into the major pending review. Incoming first year and transfer students must first be admitted to UNC Charlotte. The department accepts new students into the Art and Graphic Design majors for Fall semesters only.

Explore Student Work

Explore the creativity of our students with these work samples from BFA students concentrating in 3D Interdisciplinary Studies, Digital Media, Illustration, Painting, Photography, Print Media, and/or Art Education.

Explore Art at UNC Charlotte

The Department of Art & Art History is one of five creative units in the College of Arts + Architecture, an artistic community that is unique in the Carolinas.

What can you do with a degree in the arts?

At the College of Arts + Architecture, our students turn creativity into impact. From internships with leading arts organizations to alumni shaping industries around the world, explore how an arts degree opens doors to bold and meaningful careers.

  • Recent Alumni Highlights

    Our recent illustration graduates have gone on to start fulfilling arts careers such as:

    —Freelance Visual Development Artist

    –Art Educator

    –MFA Candidate

    –University Professor

  • Recent Internships & Experiential Learning

    We offer a variety of opportunities for students to participate in internships and have specialized training. Students have recently interned or studied at organizations such as:

    —The Knox Group

    –TAS Visuals

    –Netflix Animation Foundations Mentorship Program

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“My favorite thing about the College of Arts + Architecture is the amazing community I am surrounded by. As a transfer student, I was nervous to plunge into a new environment, but was pleasantly surprised with how welcoming the College is. I’ve been both inspired and encouraged to seek out art-related opportunities, from publishing to galleries.”

Maya Hutagalung
B.F.A. with a concentration in Illustration and a Minor in Earth and Environmental Sciences

Visit us

The Department of Art & Art History invites prospective students to discover more about our programs and facilities by attending an Open House or In-Person Tour date.

Discover other programs of art study

Register for an In-Person Campus Visit

Experience the heart of UNC Charlotte with our in-person campus visits. Register for a First-Year Student Info Session and Tour offered daily — an unmissable opportunity to live the Niner life.

Explore Official University Catalog

Check out the official catalog for information on specific degree requirements, course progressions, curriculum and more.