Higher Diploma in Illustration

Duration of Study

2.5 Years
[Students are required to follow the programme arrangements stipulated by HKDI, on average 3 to 4 evenings in weekdays per week, normally 3 semesters (with summer semester) per academic year.]

Mode of Study

Part-time (Evening)

Offering Campus(es) / Venue(s)

HKDI

Entrance Requirements

Holder of S6 (NSS) Qualification :
Five HKDSE subjects at Level 2 or above, including English Language and Chinese Language; OR VTC Foundation Diploma (Level 3) / Diploma of Foundation Studies; OR VTC Diploma in Vocational Education / Diploma of Vocational Education / Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate; OR Yi Jin Diploma / Diploma of Yi Jin; OR Equivalent.
Remarks :

An "Attained", "Attained with Distinction (I)" and "Attained with Distinction (II)" in an HKDSE Applied Learning (ApL) subject (Category B subjects) are regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at "Level 2", "Level 3" and "Level 4" respectively, and a maximum of two ApL subjects (excluding ApL(C)) can be counted for admission purpose.
A "Grade D or E" and a "Grade C or above" in an HKDSE Other Language subject (Category C subjects) are regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at "Level 2" and "Level 3" respectively, and one Other Language subject can be counted for admission purpose.
Applicable to holders of Diploma in Vocational Education / Diploma of Vocational Education (DVE) (students admitted to DVE in AY2017/18 or before are required to complete prescribed further studies modules).
Upon completion of the Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate (DVB) Programmes, students can progress to higher diploma programmes in VTC, subject to their BTEC and IGCSE results.
Applicants are required to have at least 1 year relevant working experience.
Basic knowledge in graphic design, illustration and computer skills are preferred.
Applicants may be required to attend an interview and showing their portfolio.

Holder of S7 Qualification :
One HKALE A-Level subject / Two AS-Level subjects at Grade E or above AND Five HKCEE subjects at Grade E / Level 2 or above, including English Language and Chinese Language; or Equivalent.
Remarks :

Successful completion of one Applied Learning (ApL) course recognized by the Education Bureau in or before 2010 is comparable to one HKCEE subject pass.
HKCEE English Language taken in 2006 or before should have attained Grade E or above (Syllabus B) / Grade C or above (Syllabus A).
Applicants may be required to attend an interview and showing their portfolio.

Programme Aims

The Higher Diploma in Illustration aims to equip students with creative and effective illustration skills including critical and analytical thinking, graphic manipulation, visual expression and concept visualisation. Areas of studies include visual language and expression, narrative skills, concept visualisation, media art, illustration appreciation, lettering and typography, and visualisation skills such as drawing, painting and computer graphics. Areas of contextual studies will include cultural studies, professional practice and entrepreneurship. The programme also provides professional level training in the observation, exploration of communication methodology and visual interpretation.

The programme provides a broad educational experience with creativity, project management, interpersonal communication and team-building skills which match industry demands for flexible, articulate graduates who are able to compete in a dynamic, fast-paced and ever-changing regional creative environment.

This programme is designed with an emphasis on generic, language and communication training, whole-person development and workplace experience to better prepare students for further studies and employment after graduation.

Career Prospects

Graduates can be recruited as illustrator, concept artist, character designer, mural artist, storyboard artist, comic artist, graphic designer, event and project coordinator, pre-production artist and visual artist in areas as diverse as illustration, mural, spatial illustration, design studio, design consultant, branding, advertising, magazine, storybook design, event and exhibition promotion, film art direction, pre-visualisation for game and animation design, and packaging design. Graduates frequently work as individual illustrator, artist or design entrepreneur and set up their own studios.

Articulation

Graduates can pursue relevant degrees locally or overseas.

This programme is developing articulation to top-up degree programmes offered by universities overseas, of which the potential partnering programmes include :

UWE Bristol, UK

BA(Hons) Fine Art^#
(Registration Number of Non-local Higher and Professional Education: 253254)
BA(Hons) Illustration^#*

^# It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognize any qualification to which this course may lead. Please refer to the corresponding programme page in the website of SHAPE.
^* Application for registration of this course has been submitted to Non-local Courses Registry and is under process.

Graduates can apply for admission to relevant degree programmes of local universities. Some examples are :

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University :

BA (Hons) in Communication Design
BA (Hons) in Advertising Design
BA (Hons) in Digital Media
BA (Hons) in Social Design

City University of Hong Kong : BA Creative Media
Hong Kong Baptist University : BA (Hons) in Visual Arts

Upon admission to relevant degree programmes, graduates can apply for credit exemption. The level of exemption will be considered on individual basis.

Professional Recognition

Students are eligible to apply for student membership of the Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA).
Students and graduates can become associate member of the Hong Kong Society of Illustrators (HKSI) through its selection process.

Notes

Students may be required to attend classes on other VTC campuses. VTC reserves the right to cancel any programme, revise programme content or change the offering institute(s) / campus(es) / class venue(s) if circumstances so warrant.

Programme code DE524112