Do you want to make a difference to the world by combining creativity and communication?
If you are a visual storyteller, and looking to advance your skills, then the Master of Design specialising in Illustration and Animation is for you. Gain expertise in theory, technical skills, and professional practice to drive your creative journey. Adelaide University will equip you with the expertise to become a leader in the field of illustration and animation. Advance your skills and understanding to confidently step into your creative career. Be prepared to make a difference and influence lives, culture, and industries.
With our Master of Design specialising in Illustration and Animation, you’ll develop advanced skills as an adaptable and dynamic designer. We’ll equip you to be a storyteller of the future, with the ability to evolve in an ever-changing industry. Gain the knowledge and proficiency to shape a successful creative future.
You’ll take your learning from theory to practical. Learn curriculum that is industry-relevant and practical in nature. Get hands-on experience to take your career to the next level.
Discover and develop advanced skills in innovative tools to support your creative process, from planning to delivery. You’ll graduate with the expertise to apply research in creative projects and go beyond creativity to understand the why and the how.
Be prepared to make meaningful contributions to the world in various ways, blending creativity with communication to enrich our lives, culture, and industries.
Develop advanced technical skills and knowledge in illustration and animation. Learn from teachers who are practising professionals with strong links to industry. Work on real-life projects in professional studio spaces. Build networks and relationships with the design and animation industries – locally, nationally, and internationally. Exit from your studies early and graduate with a graduate diploma qualification. Use this qualification as a pathway to further studies, including PhD studies.Our Master of Design specialising in Illustration and Animation will refine your technical and professional capabilities to make your creative mark.
You’ll develop your understanding of practical and theoretical expertise to become a highly skilled and confident visual storyteller.
Study core courses designed to strengthen your research skills and apply creative principles, strategies, and practices across a range of projects and creative fields. You’ll explore issues relevant to contemporary Illustration and Animation culture within an international context. Be equipped with business practice knowledge focussed on small business management and self-employment practices in the art and design industries.
You’ll develop advanced skills related to your specialisation and apply creative processes through collaboration to a variety of projects.
In your second year, you’ll fine-tune your mastery in illustration and animation with a creative research study project. You’ll also complete professional experience with our industry partners, building important network connections.
In your second year of study, you’ll also complete the following courses with a focus on illustration and animation:
Complete two electives in your final year, broadening your skillset and knowledge in a range of fields and allowing you to customise and align your learning with career aspirations.
Gain knowledge in research methodologies and methods appropriate to a range of creative disciplines. Complete a masters report where you will showcase your ability to integrate theoretical, technological, behavioural, and ethical issues with creative practice. Be equipped to pursue further studies in research, such as a PhD.
The Master of Design is also available with specialisations in the following:
This degree is part of a stackable set of qualifications, meaning your study choices are flexible. If your goals shift, you can exit after six months of study with a standalone Graduate Certificate or after one year with a Graduate Diploma qualification.
You can also begin your studies with a shorter qualification like the six-month Graduate Certificate and continue on to complete the Graduate Diploma (one year) or full master’s degree.
Complete 96 units comprising:
Complete 66 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 6 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units comprising:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Interdisciplinary Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5013
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Nature, Culture and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH5012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Advanced Theory
|
Course code
ARCH5018
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Foundation Studio
|
Course code
ARCH5006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Business Practices
|
Course code
ARCH5016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Research Methods
|
Course code
ARCH6000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Project 1
|
Course code
ARCH6006
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Masters Report
|
Course code
ARCH6008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Arts and Design Masters Project 2
|
Course code
ARCH6007
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Art and Design Professional Experience
|
Course code
ARCH6901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Illustration and Animation is a dynamic and growing field with exciting opportunities for creative professionals.
Transform your artistic vision into a thriving career with the Master of Design specialising in Illustration and Animation. This program equips you with a versatile skill set, preparing you to succeed in the creative industries across a wide range of roles and sectors.
You could animate unforgettable characters for film or television, design captivating storyboards that shape visual narratives, or bring your imagination to life as a concept artist for games or interactive media. Perhaps you’ll create compelling illustrations for publishing or advertising or explore cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality to develop innovative digital experiences.
Careers to consider include:
You might also pursue opportunities in industries such as broadcasting and film, visual effects, design agencies, product development, emerging technologies, and independent creative ventures in advertising or publishing.
The projected employment growth in the Australian Information Media and Telecommunications industry is expected to grow nearly 15 per cent in the next 10 years (2024 – 2034) (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Some of the art and creative design jobs most in demand are in interior design, web design, illustration and graphic design (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
