Campus
Delivery
Hybrid
Duration
4 Semesters (16 Months Consecutive)
Credential
Ontario College Diploma

About the Program

This two-year creative diploma program combines traditional and digital illustrative media with freelance business skills to help you succeed as a professional illustrator.

Throughout the program, you will build your visual art skills through drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpting and digital media. The program’s specialties include children’s book illustration, comics, editorial illustration and concept art for film and game animation.

At the same time, you will learn how to run your own small business as an entrepreneurial artist with innovative courses exploring website development, accounting, marketing and revenue-generating skills.

Skills

Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

  • advanced drawing and painting
  • concept development
  • critical thinking
  • digital painting
  • developing your creative voice
  • entrepreneurship skills
  • sculpting
  • printmaking
  • visual development

Program Availability

Start in Location Availability
Sept. 2025 Seneca@York  Open
Jan. 2026 Seneca@York  Open

Please note that availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.

Start in Location Availability
Sept. 2025 Seneca@York  Open
Jan. 2026 Seneca@York  Open

Please note that availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.

This program meets Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility requirements.

Program and Course Delivery

This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements.

Your Career

Graduates of this program may pursue a career as a freelance illustrator for:

  • children's books
  • comics and graphic novels
  • editorial publications
  • film
  • gaming
  • online platforms
  • packaging

Affiliations/Associations

  • Toronto Comics Arts Festival (TCAF)
  • Canzine: Festival of Zines
  • CANSCAIP
  • ACM SIGGRAPH
  • Future. Innovation. Technology. Creativity. (FITC)
  • Interactive Ontario
  • Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI)

Student Experience

Student Works

The Reciprocity Mural is a floor-to-ceiling art display spanning seven walls at Seneca’s Newnham Campus Cafeteria. Under the artistic direction of JoAnn Purcell, Program Co-ordinator of the Illustration program, and Martha Newbigging, Program Co-ordinator of the Art Fundamentals program, a team of five artists — all Seneca graduates — took on the task of seeing the project through from conceptualization to completion.

Learn more about The Reciprocity Mural

Graduate Career-Ready

Take the next step in your academic journey at Seneca. Join thousands of graduates who are making a difference here and around the world.

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