Graphic Design-Comics and Illustration

You will discover how to bring your stories to life through drawing, transforming imagination into visual storytelling. You will learn to combine digital and traditional techniques, mastering anatomy, perspective and composition to create worlds, characters and emotions that speak through the universal language of images.

You will also acquire graphic design skills that will enable you to enhance and communicate your work effectively, contributing to the development of visual communication projects.

First-Level Academic Diploma, equivalent to a three-year Bachelor’s degree.

DURATION > 3 YEARS

LANGUAGE > ITALIAN

COURSE START > OCTOBER

LOCATION > ROME or MILAN

New Worlds and Visual Stories

You will become a professional capable of transforming stories and imagined worlds into original visual projects, working across illustration, comics, publishing, character design and graphic communication. Through a programme that combines drawing, storytelling, design and digital tools, you will develop a personal style and solid technical skills to create images, characters and visual worlds capable of telling stories and evoking emotion across different formats: from illustrated books to graphic novels, through to contemporary visual languages.

Fields of Study

PUBLISHING AND COMICS

You will explore visual storytelling, from traditional comics to graphic novels and webcomics. From script development to page composition, you will transform your characters and stories into professional publishing projects.

VISUAL COMMUNICATION

You will learn how to use drawing to communicate ideas, emotions and messages effectively. You will learn to integrate graphic languages, colours and composition to create visual projects capable of engaging different audiences, from publishing to digital media.

ILLUSTRATION AND SCRIPTWRITING

You will develop a personal and recognisable style, combining creativity and technique. You will work on the concept development, writing and staging of images, experimenting with illustration, storytelling and new forms of contemporary visual communication.

QUALIFICATION

Bachelor of Arts, equivalent to a three-year Bachelor’s degree 180 CFA credits

FUTURE CAREERS

Illustrator, Comic Artist, Concept Artist
Graphic Designer
Visual Artist for Publishing and Digital Media
Graphic Novel and Webcomic Author
Visual Storyteller for Communication and Social Media
Collaborator in Graphic Design Studios, Publishing Houses and Creative Agencies.

MAIN SUBJECTS

Graphic Design
Comic Art
Editorial Design
Illustration
Creative Writing

A study method designed for you

Studio fotografico con sfondo rosso: un ragazzo in maglietta bianca posa seduto, illuminato da un faretto, mentre due figure in primo piano appaiono in silhouette mentre gestiscono le luci e l'attrezzatura.

LEARNING BY DOING

In RUFA, you learn by doing. Alongside the solid foundation of a university-level education, you will develop a hands-on approach that allows you to work on real projects, experiment, and build immediately applicable skills. Each course helps you transform ideas into prototypes, artworks, videos, concepts, installations, or products.

Una relatrice con i capelli corti parla davanti a un pubblico in un'aula universitaria o una sala conferenze, mentre alcuni studenti in primo piano alzano la mano per fare domande.

EXTRA DIARY

Workshops, laboratories, exhibitions, talks, and collaborations with companies are an integral part of the learning experience. The classroom opens up to the professional world and becomes a space where you engage every day with professionals, creative directors, artists, and designers. This allows you to understand how the industry you want to grow in truly works.

Dettaglio delle mani di una persona che utilizza un tablet per interagire con il modello 3D di un abito rosso, mentre un'altra persona sullo sfondo registra la scena con uno smartphone.

RESEARCH AND CROSS-POLLINATION

Every discipline becomes a space for experimentation. RUFA encourages you to blend languages, visions, techniques, and tools, combining artistic tradition with technological innovation. Here, you can explore, experiment, create connections, and find your own creative identity.

Requirements

ITALIAN STUDENTS

High School Diploma

EU AND NON-EU STUDENTS

High school diploma valid for the Italian higher education system
B2 certificate in the language of the course

Following admission, NON-EU students will be required to start the procedure for obtaining a study visa.

Visit the International Students page

Study plan

The RUFA Three-Year Academic Diploma requires the acquisition of 60 academic credits for each academic year.
To obtain the qualification, students must complete the entire study programme, achieving a total of 180 CFA (Academic Formative Credits).

Attendance is compulsory for all classes at RUFA’s campuses.

SUBJECT	ECTS
Environments drawing by studying the representation techniques of three-dimensional space, with reference to the axonometric projection and perspective techniques. From basic drawing to the theory of shadows, all the way to the complexity of reality in the two-dimensional space.	10
Basic techniques and tools: software for the management and creation of an editorial layout; software for managing files, vector and picture images; software for managing print and interactive files; software for designing graphic interfaces and user flows.	10
History of printing and publishing in the main producing countries and of the printing technologies that have generated this development and that have continuously influenced its evolution. In-depth study of the history of comic book art, from its roots within the other arts, up to the present day. Study of publishing in this sector.	8
Approaching graphic design through the analysis of visual communication and its phases through history. History of editorial graphics in comic book art. Study of the main graphic design programs and their use in the production of comic books. Creating a final project.	12
A visual education in photography and images through the vision and knowledge of selected photographs by different authors and art movements. Technical exercises to encourage students to explore the most varied and contemporary themes.	8
Composition and creation of comic strips: starting from the idea and development of pre-production studies up to the final project, passing through the basics of character design, storytelling, direction and production techniques.	6
Elective educational activities	6

SUBJECT	ECTS
Management of the processes and practices related to the visual communication design. Students will become aware and independent when dealing with graphic design culture. Identification of the methodologies that are typical of the various fields of graphic design (which can be seen in structuring and problem solving), both from a theoretical and practical point of view. Given a specific theme as a case study, development of a design process capable of guaranteeing a high quality result both on in theory and practice.	6
History of art from post-impressionism to the present day. The themes, methods, media and plastic and lyrical values of the most important works of the twentieth century will be analyzed, as well as the styles of the artists. Development of critical skills related to a work of art. Reasoning from a viewing perspective.	6
Theory, methodological and practical tools that are at the basis of every graphic design project. In-depth study of specific issues such as compositional grids, image and text management, color, types and formats of typefaces. Study and recognition of illustration styles and color in order to use and adapt them to each brief assigned. Practical exercises and final project.	12
Theoretical and practical aspects related printed products. Creation of real editorial products, from the design to production (brochures, catalogs, book, cover, newspaper) up to digitization. There will be meetings with key players (from within and outside the Academy).	8
The course aims to prepare students to conceive and draft professional scripts. The scripts will differ according to the medium. Students will learn their different characteristics, strengths, grammar and language.	4
Tackling comic book art in a transversal way through different themes, genres and formats. From the popular Italian and American mainstream comic art to the historical tale, to graphic journalism. Working on the characters, texts and properties of others. Focus on traditional and digital processing techniques with the use of different inking and coloring tools.	6
Color seen as a function of the comic art book. Its potential as a storytelling tool. From the basics of color theory to the study of tonal values and types of contrast. Color perception theory, color in film and photography, emotional color. Composition and design elements that are preparatory to coloring. Creation of a final project.	6
Technical and theoretical tools to learn how to narrate through images: interpretation of a text, reading a brief, identification and analysis of the target of a project, ability to create sequential illustrations that are stylistically and technically consistent with each other.	8
Elective educational activities	4

SUBJECT	ECTS
The scene of broad-based communication: useful tools to draw a map of the present and to consciously and critically create a personal work. Analysis of the anthropological transformation of our time that adds value to communication and the imagination, with a focus on the knowledge worker.	6
Design linked to the world of comic book art, with particular attention to the use of color. Elements of character design, mecha Design and environments drawing are tackled, skills that are now indispensable for a modern narration through images. Starting from Photoshop and its use for digital drawing, students will learn topics of digital painting and concept art and create their own portfolio.	6
Graphic design: consolidation of theoretical and practical knowledge. Understanding the multiple roles of the graphic designer in the job market and art field. Acquiring a methodological approach for the interaction between visual design and visual communication.	12
In-depth study of the different scriptwriting techniques for the various genres of the field of audiovisual entertainment. Focus on design to proposing ideas to publishers, producers, networks and broadcasters.	4
Comic book art applied to new media. The author in self-publishing and web comic book art. Self-promotion through social media platforms and the web. Use of comic book art in the world of graphic design, advertising, cinema, entertainment and fashion.	6
Acquiring storytelling skills with images through design. Realization of a social media or advertising campaign and an illustrated book.	6
First semester: general introduction, practical exercises, and use of software dedicated to the animation of illustrations and characters. The goal is to acquire the basics for transforming static elements into animated sequences. Second semester: general introduction, practical exercises, and use of software with a particular focus on modelling and sculpting modules. The focus will be the transition from 2D to 3D, giving shape and volume to an already designed character. The exercises will allow for in-depth exploration not only of technical aspects, but also of design and creative ones.	4
Study of themes and topics related to the art field through the use of specific vocabulary and styles to improve the students’ communication skills in English.	4
Further language and interpersonal skills, internships, etc.	4
Thesis	8