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 children's book illustration
    Course start date:  Thu 23 May 2024 (and 3 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Dee Shulman
    Our Introductory courses provide a perfect way-in to a creative field.







    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), to sequencing and pacing visual narratives.



    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 £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00
  2. Introduction to graphic design
    Course start date:  Wed 23 Oct 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 £369.00 Senior fee £295.00 Concession £240.00
  3. Illustrated Maps: summer school intensive
    Course start date:  Mon 5 Aug 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Lucia Vinti
    Learn to create unique illustrated maps using a combination of analogue and digital techniques. We’ll create illustrations of local attractions, landmarks and people; learn how to create a cohesive colour palette; and combine text and image to create a balanced composition. You’ll end this intensive and fun course with an illustrated map that captures the character of your favourite place.
    Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £194.00
  4. Developing graphic design
    Course start date:  Wed 5 Mar 2025 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Pam Williams
    Our 'Developing' courses help you take your next step in a chosen 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 £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £181.00
  5. Introduction to illustration
    Course start date:  Wed 24 Apr 2024 (and 4 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

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







    Illustration is a form of visual communication which often exists alongside text. Illustrations can help to explain or clarify (or sometimes contradict) the words on a page. Most of all, you could say, they bring the message 'alive', by making it more immediate and exciting. For this reason, illustrations are found across books, magazines, newspapers, websites and social media channels.







    Learn how to create powerful illustrations on our exciting range of Illustration courses.
    Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00
  6. Developing children's book illustration
    Course start date:  Thu 20 Feb 2025 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Tim Ellis
    Our 'Developing' courses help you take your next step in a chosen creative field.







    This course will help develop your burgeoning children’s book illustration practice by enabling you to more deeply explore the practical skills and conceptual skills integral to the discipline. You will also begin to consider which of the many genres of children's book illustration your developing personal style might lend itself to; for example, board-books, picture books, or non-fiction for older children, to name a few.
    Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £181.00
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