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:

1. to foster writing, authorship and scholarship for visual narration
2. to nurture historical analysis, visual culture analysis and critical thinking
3. to initiate advanced independent research that is beneficial to practice

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will:

1. have acquired knowledge of historical and cultural background
2. have conducted original research and critical analysis
3. have explored the technical aspects of illustration and visual narrative
4. have translated the script into a visual outcome
5. 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)

• VIS799 Thesis Project (6 cr.)