Illustration for 15 – 17 Year Olds
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£580
- Start Date(s): 2 August 2027
- Duration: Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Step into the exciting world of illustration and visual storytelling!
This course is perfect for creatives eager to explore the art of capturing moments, emotions, and narratives through drawing. Whether you're already an enthusiastic artist or just beginning your illustration journey, this course will help you develop your unique style and build a portfolio of imaginative, dynamic work.
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You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your designs at home or work. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices. -
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance from a well respected University
Doing your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Award?
This course can count as your Gold DofE Residential Award and is an amazing opportunity to make new friends and memories. It will be fun and gently challenging, allowing you to follow your passion and discover talents you never knew you had.
DofE participants must book both the course and accommodation on campus for this to count towards your Gold Award.
You must also attend the social events that are planned on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and you must plan and attend your own social activities with other participants on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
What you’ll study
Discover how to bring your ideas to life! This course provides you with a dynamic exploration of the fundamentals of illustrative practice. You will explore observational and imaginative drawing and how they are applied to image making. You’ll be given opportunities to investigate methods and materials relating to illustrative and graphic techniques. You will be encouraged to experiment using playful approaches, reflection and critical evaluation in a studio setting.
You will also work collaboratively on projects to produce inspiring and creative outcomes and be introduced to how illustration is used in industry: how it is applied and how it appears in different contexts.
On this course, you will:
- learn quick sketching techniques to capture the energy of a scene
- explore creative approaches to drawing people, places, and events
- experiment with a variety of materials to master line, form, tone, and colour
- dive into visual storytelling by focusing on framing, composition, and perspective
- keep a vibrant sketchbook full of original illustrations and creative ideas
- work on location to capture the unique character of your environment.
Ultimately, you will learn how to communicate your ideas visually through a range of exciting projects, tutorials and workshops.
This hands-on course will teach you how to turn ordinary moments into extraordinary illustrations. Each day builds on the last, helping you gain confidence and refine your skills. By the end of the course, you’ll have a professional-looking portfolio piece and a better understanding of how to express yourself through art.
Social events
We appoint NTU Student Ambassadors who host social events on Monday and Wednesday evening to help you make friends across the whole of our summer school programme for 15 – 17 year olds, which are free to attend.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll study:
Kick off with an introduction to visual storytelling. Practice quick observational drawing techniques while exploring how to sketch expressive people and scenes.
Take your creativity outside! Learn how to capture the life and vibrancy of public spaces through on-location sketching. Focus on perspective and urban details.
Experiment with colours and materials to bring your illustrations to life. Work on layering and blending techniques to add depth and mood to your work.
Create a narrative illustration inspired by a specific moment in time. Discover how to highlight the essence of a story while leaving room for imagination.
Curate your favourite pieces for your portfolio and celebrate your progress with a showcase of your work to reflect on your creative journey.
How you’re taught
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University.
Contact hours
You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
The course is designed to give you a real experience of university life, make new friends who share similar interests and develop your portfolio so that ultimately, you can make an informed decision about your future.
On successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the Nottingham School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You'll find bright drawing and painting studio and workshop spaces to develop your ideas and create exciting work.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
Entry requirements
You should have an enthusiasm for art and willingness to experiment.
You must be 15, 16 or 17 years old at the time of the course in order to attend.
For international students
If your parent or carer is not based in the UK, you are required to provide details of a UK-based guardian who can act as a contact in the event of an emergency. The UK-based guardian can be a nominated friend or relative living in the UK, or a guardian appointed through a guardianship organisation that offers such services.
The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students (AEGIS) runs a programme for the inspection and accreditation of guardianship organisations in the UK. It is recommended that parents/carers of overseas students consult the AEGIS website for details of their recommended guardianship organisations. Nottingham Trent University provides these details for information purposes only. We are not able to recommend or endorse any guardianship organisations available through AEGIS.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £580
Payment is due at the time of booking.
You can pay for this course in two instalments, allowing you to spread the cost while securing your place early.
An initial payment of £290 is taken at the time of booking, with the second instalment due one month before the course begins.
Read the terms and conditions of booking
All your materials and equipment will be provided, but you may also want to bring with you:
- a sketchbook of any size to suit you
- a small pad of watercolour or cartridge paper
- coloured pencils and pens, and any other drawing medium you like to work with
- digital camera, useful but not essential
- masking tape.
Need accommodation?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £280 per week, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's city centre and want an economical place to stay.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation.
If you're aged 16 or 17 then you can stay unaccompanied with agreement from a parent/guardian (to support safeguarding, all guests aged 16 and 17 will be accommodated together in the same halls of residence and there is a dedicated Warden available).
If you're aged 15 then you can stay as long as you are accompanied by a parent/guardian (you must book two separate rooms and let us know so we can place you in rooms next to each other).
How to apply
You can book this course via the NTU online store:
2 - 6 August 2027, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week
Browse all our summer courses for 15 – 17 year olds.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813
