Illustration: Publishing (B.A.) | Majors & Degrees

Students gather around their professor as he shows them a technique for illustration.

Publishing Introduction

Illustrators use creativity, critical thinking, and artistic skill to solve some of today’s most challenging commercial needs. In this major, you will develop core skills in drawing, painting, digital, and mixed media.

To be considered for the program, you need to complete the courses for Art Fundamentals Cluster and Illustration Minor. You can then submit a portfolio demonstrating your skills, knowledge, and understanding of illustration. If you're not initially accepted into the program, you can complete the Illustration Concentration and apply a second time.

When you’re accepted into the program, you will declare your emphases. You'll get to work with faculty mentors so your education fits your future career.

Highlighted Courses

If you are interested in Publishing Illustration, start with one of the following major-specific courses

ART107 - Design and Color

See Course Details

ART110 - Drawing I

See Course Details

4-Year Plan

See Example Class Plan

Get Involved

See all required courses

Graduate Career-Ready

Graduates with a degree in Illustration, with a Publishing emphasis, have a wide array of rewarding careers before them. Here's just one of them. Explore more career options in I-Plan!

BYU-Idaho Graduate Salaries

Graduates from this program report competitive early career salaries ranging from $38,000 to $75,000 across the advertising and specialty publishing markets. Your earning potential is highly versatile with many alumni successfully combining in house roles at major publishers with a high demand freelance client base.

Common Career Paths

You will be prepared for creative roles such as a book illustrator, editorial artist, or art director within the trade publishing and educational media industries. This degree provides the professional foundation needed to advance from junior production roles to becoming a published author illustrator or establishing a successful independent studio.

Preparation for Grad School

While this industry is primarily portfolio driven, our curriculum provides the rigorous technical and research foundation required to excel in specialized master's programs. You will be well prepared to pursue advanced degrees in medical illustration or scientific visualization where high level academic training leads to senior leadership in healthcare and research.

AI in Academics

At BYU-Idaho, we are strategically integrating Artificial Intelligence to enhance academic excellence and prepare our students for an evolving world.

Learn more about AI in Academics

AI in Publishing

You will engage in critical industry discussions regarding the ethical and creative role of artificial intelligence in contemporary professional practice. Our program emphasizes original human led artistry while exploring how to navigate emerging technologies responsibly to ensure your creative work remains authentic and commercially viable.

Advance Knowledge, Enhancing Learning, and Developing Workforce Readiness

AI in Academics means learning to advance knowledge, enhancing learning, and developing workforce readiness through tools that support (not replace) your effort and integrity.

Related Majors

Brother Josh Abegglen critiques, with the help of his students, other students work from his Entertainment Illustration class.

Art Education Composite (B.A.)

Teach students how to produce art for stories, ideas, and concepts for various media.

Get Involved

Students work on their projects for class. The project in the image is a 3d figurine.

Illustration: Entertainment Design Emphasis (B.A.)

Create visual concepts for games, movies, and attractions using illustration skills.

Get Involved

An artist paints a still life in class of a browning banana.

Fine Art: 2D Emphasis (B.A.)

Create thought-provoking visual art on flat surfaces like painting and drawing.

Get Involved

A Fine Arts professor explains figurines and other 3D sculptures.

Fine Art: 3D Emphasis (B.A.)

Create expressive three-dimensional artworks like sculpture and ceramics.

Get Involved

Advanced Graphic Design students in a class taught by Brian Memmott dealing with how a user interacts with a product.

Graphic Design: UX/UI Design Emphasis (B.A.)

As a Graphic Design student, you’ll develop typography, composition, design process, and visual communication skills. You will learn to think like a designer, give visual form to your ideas, and become adept at solving visual and conceptual problems.

Get Involved