Children’s Book Illustration
Children's book illustrators capture the imagination, delight the senses, and engage the minds of kids.
About the Children’s Book Illustration Program
Children's book illustrators capture the imagination, delight the senses, and engage the minds of millions of kids daily. They translate text into imagery that children can process and enjoy while also sharing accurate information. There are three keys to being a successful illustrator:
- Know the techniques and skills that captivate children's minds, sustain their attention, and enrich the reading experience.
- Understand storyboarding, basic book structure and format, character development, style, and self-promotional strategies.
- Work effectively with designers, editors and, sometimes, directly with authors to create the best possible manuscript.
Get a solid foundation in the specialized skill sets that improve your chances of getting published. The program introduces students to a wide variety of media and advanced topics required for a thriving career. During this program, students will need to build an illustration portfolio in preparation for their capstone Getting Published course.
The program can be completed in 9-12 months and courses may be offered both on-site and online. Online courses are asynchronous but not self-paced; students are required to keep up with weekly assignments. The average student spends three hours online and six hours offline each week. Please preview our e-learning system at ucsdextension.blackboard.com.
What You Will Learn
- A solid foundation in the specialized skillsets that improve your chances of getting published.
- An introduction to a wide variety of media and advanced topics required for a thriving career.
- How to build an illustration portfolio in preparation for a capstone Getting Published course.
- Figure drawing, how to draw animals, digital illustration and how to use Adobe products to support production of imagery.
- The art of navigating the children’s book market.
- The history of children’s literature, to provide a deeper understanding of the evolution of this genre.
- How to think in pictures and focus on style as it relates to illustration.
You will also learn to understand storyboarding, basic book structure and format, character development, style, and self-promotional strategies. Lastly, participants will gain knowledge of how to work effectively with designers, editors, and sometimes directly with authors to create the best possible manuscript.
This Program Is Designed For
- Children’s book creators who are seeking to hone their skillset and enhance their abilities.
- Artists looking to expand their illustration and design expertise.
- Writers seeking to craft a children’s book from content to creation.
- Designers, creative writers and authors desiring to expand their versatility and increase career opportunities.
Children’s Book Illustration
Information Session
(Learn more about the program in a free, online Information Session)
Required Courses
12 units
Final Required Course
(All other Required Courses and Electives must be completed first)
Electives
Min 6 units required (Offerings subject to change. Certificate students must follow Matrix as listed in their MyExtension account.)
Courses of Interest
(Not required/Does not count toward certificate)
Story of Success
Magdalena Esparza
Meet Magdalena Esparza, a biochemist from Chile turned children’s book illustrator thanks to UC San Diego’s Children’s Book Illustration program. Esparza’s story is inspiring in more ways than one. She and her husband moved from their hometown in Chile with a work visa after she accepted a job offer as a biochemist at the University of Texas in 2014 and then at Texas Children’s Hospital. It was while working at the children’s hospital that she began to explore her artistic side as a hobby and gradually delved deeper into the arts until becoming a freelance artist.
"The program helped me to feel confident about my art, my illustration, and my creative process. They helped me improve my illustration skills. The program was a key factor in advancing my career and allowing me to pursue my passion for creating art that inspires and engages children. I’m grateful for the skills and knowledge I gained from the program, and for the positive impact it has had on my professional and personal life."
Learn More »Additional Information
Questions about our classes or certificates? Contact our department at 858-534-5760 or ahl@ucsd.edu.
Conditions for Admission
Please see the application for specific admission requirements for this program.
Although a college degree or professional experience in the field are not required, applicants with such experience may receive preference for admission when program capacity is limited.
Current UCSD students may be considered for admission depending on their academic and career focus and educational performance.
Certificate Guidelines
Children's Book Illustration certificate program consists of 18 total units that can be completed in 12-18 months (depending on the number of courses taken per quarter).
About Online Courses
- Online courses in this certificate are led by live instructors, but students may view lectures according to their own schedules. There are no set lecture dates or times; however, students will be required to meet weekly assignment deadlines, participate in critiques, and contribute to discussion topics.
- Online students should expect to spend four to six hours per week per course.
- Online students must provide their own software.
FAQs
Students pay as they go when they register for classes, not in one lump sum.
- UCSD Diego Division of Extended Studies offers continuing education loans through UC Approved Lenders. Each institution offers low competitive interest rates and flexible payment options. You are also encouraged to contact your personal financial institution about possible lending solutions. Direct links to UC Approved Lenders can be found on our website’s Financial Resources page.
- The Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a comprehensive range of employment and training services in partnership with state and local agencies/organizations. More information is available on their website at edd.ca.gov.
- Career Centers Located throughout San Diego County offer their communities comprehensive employment and training services benefiting both business and job seekers. More information is available on their website at workforce.org.
- Please click here for information about Veteran’s Benefits.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) funds are limited to degree programs only, and cannot be used for courses or certificate fees at UCSD Diego Division of Extended Studies.
Students are advised to be enrolled no later than the day before the start date of the course.
You will have access to the online Canvas course on the official start date of the class/exam/info session. Access will be available at 12:01am Pacific Time.
Enrollment to online classes can take up to 24 hours to process and sync up to our online platform, Canvas. For example, if a class started on Tuesday and that is the day a student enrolled, they will likely not have full access to the class until 24 hours later on Wednesday.
Advisory Board
Joy Chu, B.F.A.
Edith Fine
Deborah Halverson
Seth Lerer
Annika Nelson, B.A.
Brian Selznick
Kelly Sonnack
Peter Thomas, M.A., Ed.M.
Blair Thornley
Sarah Tomp
Andrea Zimmerman
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