Why have I chosen to study Illustration at degree level? - approx. 500 words.

I have chosen to do an illustration degree in the hopes that I will not necessarily become an 'illustrator' - but that I will be able to have a CREATIVE career. I have always been a creative and arty person and although I am also fairly academic - art is what I enjoy studying. I took my academic subjects (primarily English, German and Geography) to a fairly high level but I always felt that it just wasn't really for me. Once I truly gave myself up to studying art, I became instantly much happier and found a FOCUS I previously lacked. I hope that by studying illustration at this level, I will set myself up for an interesting -and successful- artistic career.

The reason that I'm doing 'illustration' as opposed to something such as fine art is because I think illustration is more specific to the areas of art that I enjoy most - PRINTING, DRAWING and telling a STORY. Other than art being what I enjoy most, I also see it as a way of surrounding myself with LIKE-MINDED people. I have found that, generally of course, creative people seem to be the the type of person I get along with most. The prospect of working with people who INSPIRE me is very exciting.

Of course, after the love of art, and the people who make up the industry, I am hoping this is a career choice that will lead to me earning a decent amount of money. Although this can be difficult when trying to produce and sell original artwork, illustration provides SEVERAL career paths for me. I hope that I will have the opportunity to make money through my own personal artwork in the form of commissions for maybe book illustrations, or advertising type imagery. But alongside this I could, and probably will, persue TEACHING art - at university level. This would suit me perfectly as I am definitely a 'people-person' and would enjoy the process of encouraging and supporting other artists. This career path would also give me a reliable INCOME.

Another route I could consider my art taking me is ART THERAPY. This I'd something I know little about but has always interested and intrigued me. It would be amazing to use the SKILLS and PASSION that I have for art to help the recovery or development of people enrolled in art therapy. I will definitely be looking further into what art therapy is all about so that I can make more of an informed decision on this. YOUTH WORK is another sector of art I could picture myself working in. It would bs very REWARDING to be involved in setting up and running art-based youth projects.

So as you can see, my decision to study illustration at degree level is based on the many OPPORTUNITIES it gives me for creative and rewarding careers -careers that I think would allow me to enjoy the process in which I EARN my living. I cannot picture myself in a career that isn't creative and so I am lucky to feel CONFIDENT in my decision to study degree level art. I know that the skills and CONTACTS I will gain over the next two and a half years will be INVALUABLE to my future in this industry.