Overview
The MA in Visual Narrative program is designed for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in the production of evocative visual narrative. The curriculum combines writing, history and technique-based courses with a focus on students publishing and promoting their work. Students explore story-telling strategies, illustration methods, character development and script writing. In the second year, students create their thesis proposal, which culminates in a final project. The thesis project is then curated and /or published as an advanced visual narrative work.
Mission
The mission of the program is to provide a distinct learning experience toward visual storytelling. It is a progressive combination of historical, cultural and technical studies. The program is dedicated to the fusion of scholarship, authorship, character design, illustration and the visualization of narratives while using a diversity of media.
Program Objectives
The objectives of the program are:
- to foster writing, authorship and scholarship for visual narration
- to nurture historical analysis, visual culture analysis and critical thinking
- to initiate advanced independent research that is beneficial to practice
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will:
- have acquired knowledge of historical and cultural background
- have conducted original research and critical analysis
- have explored the technical aspects of illustration and visual narrative
- have translated the script into a visual outcome
- have developed the temporal and spatial dimension of the story
Curriculum
A minimum of 30 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:
- Required Core Courses (24 credits)
- Elective Courses (6 credits)
Required Core Courses (24 credits)
- VIS731 History of Visual Storytelling (3 cr.)
- VIS711 Storyboarding (3 cr.)
- VIS721 Narrative Writing (3 cr.)
- VIS722 Drawing Strategies for Visual Narrative (3 cr.)
- VIS741 Character Development (3 cr.)
- VIS742 Advanced Illustration Techniques (3 cr.)
- VIS799 Thesis Project (6 cr.)
Elective Courses (6 credits)
Students must choose two of the following:
- VIS743 Advanced Digital Illustration Techniques (3 cr.)
- VIS751 Professional Practices (3 cr.)
- VIS752 Selling Your Story (3 cr.)
- VIS761 Letters & Image (3 cr.)
- VIS771 Children’s Book Illustration (3 cr.)
- VIS781 Advanced Printing Techniques (3 cr.)
- VIS791 Japanese Animation (3 cr.)
- VIS795 Field Trip & Visitors (3 cr.)
Recommended Study Plan
YEAR ONE
Fall (9 credits)
- VIS731 History of Visual Story Telling (3 cr.)
- VIS711 Storyboarding (3 cr.)
- VIS721 Narrative Writing (3 cr.)
Spring (9 credits)
- VISxxx Elective (3 cr.)
- VIS741 Character Development (3 cr.)
- VIS722 Drawing Strategies for Visual Narrative (3 cr.)
Summer (6 credits)
- VISxxx Elective (3 cr.)
- VIS742 Advanced Illustration Techniques (3 cr.)
YEAR TWO
Fall (6 credits)
