Illustration Program

Illustration Program Head: Robin Richesson

Illustrators are visual storytellers embedded in practically every corner of our society. We are “professional noticers” of the world around us.

Keen observation, coupled with a vivid imagination, are attributes of potential Illustration students. Our program is founded on drawing from observation, and our graduates work in a variety of fields such as film and entertainment (film, episodic series, gaming), advertising, textiles, biomedical illustration, the gift market, educational illustration, architectural illustration, print publications (newspapers, magazines, comics/graphic novels and books) and more. Many alumni have distinguished themselves in visual journalism, storyboarding for film and television, gallery exhibitions, and in all aspects of editorial art.

Distinguished professionals regularly augment the faculty with workshops and presentations. The resident illustration faculty is comprised of experienced professional artists currently working in the field of illustration.

Illustration and Animation students at CSULB are able to take courses in both programs and work together in our digital lab, in addition to learning traditional skills.

The graduate program (MFA in Studio Art, Option in Illustration) is individualized and dependent on the student’s preparation, interests, and talents. This program centers on each student developing a strong personal and independent creative vision. Students in this program will create a focused body of work in the form of an exhibition as the culminating experience of the degree.

Click below for more information on the MFA in Studio Arts degree.

MFA in Art, Concentration in Studio Art


Biomedical Illustration Prep Certificate

The CSULB Illustration Program is proud to partner with the Department of Biological Sciences in offering the Biomedical Illustration Prep Certificate. The certificate is designed for students in art and the natural sciences to combine their interests in art and science and to prepare for related career paths.

Click below for more information on The Biomedical Illustration Prep Certificate.

The Biomedical Illustration Prep Certificate