Develop skills in digital design and illustration with industry tools and real-world projects.
The HNC Art and Design Year 1 (Illustration & Graphic Design) is a challenging and engaging course focussing on the building the skills required for a career in Illustration, Concept Art and Graphic Design. You’ll work in our specialist Mac studio using Adobe Creative Suite software — including Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects and InDesign — while building confidence in both traditional and digital techniques.
Alongside practical studio work, you’ll learn the core principles of design and illustration, explore historical influences, and engage with contemporary creative practice. You’ll experiment with drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed-media, developing a wide range of creative approaches.
The course emphasises research and sketchbook development, guiding you through an experimental creative process. After successful completion, you’ll have a portfolio that demonstrates your creativity, technical skills, and industry awareness — essential whether you’re progressing to HND, art school, university, or into the creative industries sector directly.
Taught by experienced practitioners, this course gives insight into the client/designer relationship, freelance working practices and prepares you for the realities of working in today’s creative sector.
This course is perfect for you if you:
On this HNC Art and Design Year 1 (Illustration & Graphic Design) course, you’ll build a mix of traditional and digital creative skills. Through practical projects and studio work, you’ll develop both technical ability and creative confidence.
Some of the specialist areas you’ll explore include:
By the end of the course, you’ll have a strong, diverse portfolio that reflects your creativity and prepares you for HND, university progression, or a career in the creative industries.
To apply for the HNC Art and Design Year 1 (Digital Design & Illustration) at Glasgow Kelvin College, you should meet one of the following:
✅ A minimum C grade pass in Higher / Advanced Higher Art & Design
✅ An A or B grade in English at National 5, or a minimum C at Higher
✅ An NQ in Art & Design or related subject (minimum 15 credit passes)
If you have an equivalent qualification but no formal passes, don’t worry — we’ll consider your application based on your portfolio. You’ll be asked to upload a selection of your artwork and provide a short description of chosen pieces.
ℹ️ Applicants must be 16 years or older at the start of the course
ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language
Graduates from this course go on to a wide range of creative roles. Depending on your interests and whether you continue to HND or degree-level study, possible careers include:
🎨 Illustrator (freelance or agency-based)
🎨 Concept Artist (freelance or agency-based)
🖌 Graphic Designer (digital or print)
🖥 Digital Media Designer (web, social, branding)
🎥 Motion Graphics or Animation Assistant
📚 Artworker / Studio Assistant in creative agencies
🎭 Community Arts Practitioner (arts outreach and education)
🏫 Art & Design Technician in schools, colleges or studios
📱 Junior Creative in Marketing / Social Media Content
🗂 Junior Project Coordinator in creative industries
With further study, students have also progressed into roles such as:
Completing the HNC Art and Design Year 1 (Digital Design & Illustration) at Glasgow Kelvin College opens up a wide range of opportunities for further study and creative careers.
Progression routes:
