ID411
Illustration
Faculty
Laura Alejo
Freelance Art Director and Illustrator
Course length
Duration
Total hours
Credits
Language
Course type
Fee for single course
Fee for degree students
Skills you’ll learn
Overview
We live in a world full of images. As creatives, entrepreneurs, or makers in any field, we need to communicate ideas visually. Imagemakers are commercial artists who create visuals and narratives for diverse clients, audiences, and contexts, working within briefs and practical constraints.
In this course, students will explore commercial illustration and its role in branding, communication, and storytelling. Illustration is particularly effective in explaining abstract, emotional, or complex ideas in a clear and engaging way.
This edition of the course places greater emphasis on exploring illustration styles — both analogue and digital — while maintaining a professional, real-world perspective. Students will experiment with different techniques, tools, and visual approaches to understand how stylistic choices shape meaning and tone.
The course also introduces AI and its impact on illustration, encouraging students to think critically about emerging tools, ethical considerations, and their future role as imagemakers.
Learning highlights
- Learn to observe, recognise and talk about different illustration styles.
- Explore analogue and digital techniques and how to combine them.
- Get familiar with key software used for illustration, presentations, and team collaboration.
- Use storytelling and creative thinking to develop their own visual voice.
- Get an introduction to AI tools and how are changing illustration workflows and the industry.
- Immerse yourself in real-life projects from different professional roles and perspectives.
Course outline
15 classes
Session 1
Intro and course overview.
Lecture: Imagemakers — who are they?
Group discussion.
Let’s draw!
Session 2
Lecture: Commercial illustration, fields of work.
Hands-on technique: B&W 1.
Project 1: Illustration — Day 1.
Session 3
Lecture: Branding Illustration.
Hands-on technique: B&W 2.
Project 1: Illustration — Day 2.
Session 4
Lecture: Digital Illustration.
Adobe illustrator, photoshop and procreate.
Hands-on technique: Procreate.
Project 1: Illustration — Day 3.
Session 5
Lecture: storytelling and illustration series or systems.
Hands-on technique: Surprise technique.
Project 1: Group discussion.
Session 6
Lecture: Branding illustration.
Briefs, proposals and roles.
Hands-on technique: Color 1.
Project 2: Commercial illustration. Brief
Session 7
Lecture: Consultancy and Market research.
Creative workflow tools: Figma.
Hands-on technique: Color 2.
Project 2: Commercial illustration— Day 1.
Session 8
Lecture: Style development.
Presentation software: GSlides.
Hands-on technique: Color 3.
Project 2: Commercial illustration — Day 2.
Session 9
Lecture: Production, files and formats.
Design software: Adobe.
Hands-on technique.
Project 2: Commercial illustration — Day 3.
Session 10
Lecture: Wrapping up and Guidelines.
Design software: Adobe.
Hands-on technique.
Project 2: Commercial illustration — Day 4.
Session 11
Review of the creative process.
Hands-on technique. Individualised.
Project 3: Illustration system — Day 1 Individual project : overview / Pick a briefing.
Session 12
Real examples for style development.
Hands-on technique. Individualised.
Project 3: Illustration system — Day 2 Individual project : creative direction and visual exploration.
Session 13
Real examples in production I.
Hands-on technique. Digital Illustration.
Project 3: Illustration system — Day 3 Individual project : designing a system.
Session 14
Real examples in production II.
Hands-on technique. Digital Illustration.
Project 3: Illustration system — Day 4 Individual project : production.
Session 15
Individual presentations and group feedback.
Conclusions and reflections.
Course materials
Books
Prerequisites
This course is open to anyone interested in imagemaking, whether you want to create illustrations or develop concepts for your projects.
Basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud or other digital drawing tools is recommended, but not required. No prior experience with analogue techniques or AI is needed — these will be introduced through guided exercises.
Practical exercises are designed for different levels, so each student can work at a pace and complexity that matches their experience and interests.
Methodology
Lectures and visual case studies – 40 min.
Software, tools, and techniques (digital + analogue) – 40 min.
In-class exercises: guided style experiments and visual research – 40 min.
Presentations, critique, and group discussion - 30 min.
Weekly projects.
Grading
Laura Alejo is a freelance illustrator, designer, and art director. Originally from Barcelona, she spent 14 years living in New York City, where she gained invaluable experience working in the creative industry.
Laura has collaborated on a diverse range of projects throughout her career, spanning graphic design and packaging, animation, and murals. From leading an underground design magazine to be in charge of art direction for top US motion studios and agencies.
See full profileApply for this course
Illustration
by Laura Alejo
Total hours
45 Hours
Dates
May 18 - Jun 05, 2026
Fee for single course
€1500
Fee for degree students
€750
How to secure your spot
Complete the form below to kickstart your application
Schedule your Harbour.Space interview
If successful, get ready to join us on campus
FAQ
Will I receive a certificate after completion?
Yes. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate signed by the director of the program your course belonged to.
Do I need a visa?
This depends on your case. Please check with the Spanish or Thai consulate in your country of residence about visa requirements. We will do our part to provide you with the necessary documents, such as the Certificate of Enrollment.
Can I get a discount?
Yes. The easiest way to enroll in a course at a discounted price is to register for multiple courses. Registering for multiple courses will reduce the cost per individual course. Please ask the Admissions Office for more information about the other kinds of discounts we offer and what you can do to receive one.