Visual Communication

Graphic Design & Illustration Courses

At City Lit, our exciting range of graphic design and ilustration courses will give you a creative insight into working with images and text in an emerging and innovative area. Explore a range of concepts and creative processes, within the areas of graphic design, illustration, children’s book illustration and animation, learning how to produce work visually in a diverse and exciting way. 

Working with industry professionals and experienced tutors in our fully equipped design studios, students will have access to everything they need to complete their next creative challenge. Our studios offer space for creativity with all the equipment your need, including Apple Mac computers, Adobe CC software, Wacom tablets, a range of printers and scanners including access to our 3D printing and laser cutting digital suite.

We encourage playful experimentation, working with both analogue and digital tools. Our courses range from drafting story boards and cartoon design to film poster graphics, from typography and magazine layout to printed creative packaging and digital illustrations.

We host exhibitions throughout the year at City Lit Gallery where our students showcase their amazing work.

To arrange a conversation with our Visual communication coordinator about your interests, options and courses available, please contact our Visual Arts team at visualarts@citylit.ac.uk  

Courses available both in-person and online

We offer a range of long and short courses allowing you to choose between in-person and online learning.

Learn in the centre of London with our in-person courses. Our purpose-built facilities in Covent Garden mean we are ideally located and easy to get to. 

See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.

All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, we've got the class for you.

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  1. Introduction to graphic design
    Evening
    Course start date:  Thu 30 May 2024 (and 5 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Pam Williams
    Our 'Introduction' courses provide a perfect way-in to a creative field.



    Graphic Design is everywhere; in our books, magazines, and newspapers. Emblazoning packaging at the corner shop to the mall. On our screens- phones, TVs, computers and tablets. To say it’s important would be an understatement.







    Don’t just consume. Learn how to use image and type to communicate your messages, emotions and ideas. Beyond this, learn about the movements and styles which have shaped the field of Graphic Design over the years, and how to find your place there.
    Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00
  2. Adobe Photoshop: a detailed introduction
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 5 Oct 2024 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Andrea Marzano
    This course is a solid introduction to Adobe Photoshop and has been designed for students who want to learn the professional and most effective way to use Photoshop from the ground up.
    Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00
    Rating:
    90% of 100
  3. Adobe InDesign: a detailed introduction
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 26 Oct 2024 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Andrea Marzano
    This course is a solid introduction to Adobe InDesign and has been designed for students who want to learn the professional and most effective way to use InDesign from the ground up.
    Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00
  4. Design with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
    Evening
    Course start date:  Fri 4 Oct 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Gita Hahn
    A thorough, step-by-step introduction to Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator – programs widely used by designers and illustrators in the creative industries. Learn and experiment with a range of techniques that integrate vector and pixel-based images for design and illustration.
    Full fee £349.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £227.00
    Rating:
    100% of 100
  5. City Lit Children's book illustration course
    Course start date:  Fri 4 Oct 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Tim Ellis, Ciara Flood, Dee Shulman, Robyn Wilson-Owen
    This 20-week course will take you on a journey from beginner to intermediate, direct.







    The Children’s Book industry is thriving, largely due to globally rising literacy levels, and a growing awareness of the importance of early childhood education. As a result, Children’s Book creators are in demand.







    Our tutors will teach you the many and various skills you’ll need to illustrate books for children - from drawing and painting (analogue and digital), sequencing and pacing the narrative, to editing the images digitally and overlaying text.







    You'll learn about the children’s publishing sector; gaining a sense of the different genres and markets for children's books, and where your illustration style might fit.
    Full fee £1,599.00 Senior fee £1,279.00 Concession £1,039.00
  6. From traditional to digital illustration workshop
    Course start date:  Wed 30 Oct 2024 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Adobe Creative Suite is the principal software used by Illustrators and Designers all over the world. On this course, learn how to take scribbly sketches and inky splotches into Adobe Photoshop and transform them into illustrations, collages, pattern designs… the possibilities are almost endless; thankfully, you will also be taught a crucial skill of digital illustration - knowing when to stop!







    Our Workshops enable you to take a deep dive into a specific process, media or tool.



    They throw the spotlight onto niche areas of the visual communication field, enabling you to hone higher-level skills and gain deeper insights.







    Workshops tend to have a practical focus, with little or no theory or context, although this varies by course.
    Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00
  7. Adobe Photoshop: stage 1
    Course start date:  Thu 31 Oct 2024 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Michael Harding
    Learn about the potential and possibilities available to you when using Adobe Photoshop,and develop some practical skill and knowledge.
    Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00
    Rating:
    85% of 100
  8. Adobe Illustrator: stage 1
    Evening
    Course start date:  Thu 31 Oct 2024 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Gita Hahn
    Explore basic design and illustration techniques using Adobe Illustrator – the key high-end graphics software used to create logos and icons. Discover what you can achieve using paths, pens, colour, and type as you learn about infographics and designing with vectors.
    Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00
    Rating:
    96% of 100
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