• Illustration BFA

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    [email protected]
    212.229.5150

    Program Contacts
    Lauren Redniss, Co-Director
    Nora Krug, Co-Director
    [email protected]

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  • In the BFA Illustration program at Parsons, you learn to translate ideas into images in digital and traditional media ranging from picture books, graphic novels, hand-lettering, and editorial illustrations to toys, films, animations, gallery art, installations, illustration in performance settings, and surface and display design. At the heart of the curriculum is the development of visual storytelling skills. As a Parsons Illustration student, you cultivate your unique artistic vision, authorial voice, innovative creative problem-solving abilities, and curiosity. 

    Program alumni have created award-winning books, animations, public art installations, and clothing companies. Some have broadened their careers to become museum curators, art directors, concept designers, illustration agents, art administrators, and textile designers.

    Faculty of the program include internationally renowned artists who have won Guggenheim and MacArthur fellowships, PEN America awards, National Book Critics Circle and Obie Awards, Society of Illustrators and NY Art Directors Club medals, and other honors.

    Program Highlights

    • Industry Connections

      Apply your learning in projects and internships with partners including Nickelodeon, Toon Books, the New York Times, Moleskine, Barnes & Noble, and Brooklyn Industries.

    • Learn from Leaders

      Access NYC organizations such as American Illustration and the Society of Illustrators, which facilitate connections with acclaimed art directors, illustrators, and publishing professionals. 

    • Professional Relevance

      Unleash your imagination and individual expression while creating work for reproduction and distribution across a variety of media and formats.

    • NYC: Creative Hub

      Build your network and showcase your work at events like Comic Arts Brooklyn, MoCCA Fest, Pictoplasma, and other professional gatherings in New York City.

    • Degree Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
    • Format Full-time, on campus
    • Credits 120
    • Duration 4 years

  • Curriculum

    Your BFA begins with Parsons’ first-year curriculum, which serves as the academic foundation for all undergraduate programs at Parsons. From your second year on, you dive into courses in your major field of study. Art and design history and theory courses develop your research, writing, and critical reasoning  skills, and university electives broaden your perspectives. 

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  • Career Paths

    Graduates of the BFA Illustration pursue careers in illustration, comics, graphic novels, publishing, toy and product design, pattern and surface design, advertising, motion graphics, fine art, animation, and installation design.

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  • Parsons faculty represent a broad range of expertise and are acknowledged as leading practitioners and scholars in their fields. 

  • Student Work

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    • Beyond the Classroom

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        Internships

        New York City’s thriving creative industry and cultural institutions are part of your Parsons education. Our Career Services Office is deeply connected to the art and design industries and can help you advance your career with industry-oriented internships.

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        Industry Engagement

        Connect to the organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs driving global creativity and commerce. In classes, internships, and extracurricular projects, you gain marketable problem-solving skills in sectors ranging from government and nonprofits to tech and creative industries.

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        Study Abroad

        Enrich your learning and prepare for work in global contexts with study abroad that exposes you to new perspectives and settings in which to apply your creativity. Our study abroad destinations include, Paris, London, Florence, and more.

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        Making & Academic Resources

        Enjoy access to extensive resources including New School libraries, computer labs, archives, and studios, along with Parsons’ state-of-the-art Making Center, facilities offering a broad array of tools to support your creative and academic growth.

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      Undergraduates

      To apply to any of our undergraduate programs (except the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) complete and submit the Common App online.

      Undergraduate Adult Learners

      To apply to any of our Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

      Graduates

      To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.