Major Illustration
I push my own creative boundaries to communicate ideas and emotions through pictures.
Bring Ideas To Life
Illustration helps unlock ideas, tell stories, and stir the depths of emotion. It's the ultimate form of self-expression—a chance to breathe life into words, infuse them with vibrant hues, and add dimension. You’ll be able to work on children’s books, editorial magazines, comic books, advertisements, video games and so much more.
Why Illustration at CIA?
You’ll have your very own studio space with a professional drafting table starting your sophomore year. Decorate and fill your space with what inspires you the most —posters, tools, pictures of friends and pets. The options are endless.
Another huge benefit is that you won’t have to carry your materials back and forth between home and school. You can store all of your supplies right in your home away from home.
You’ll have access to more than just computer labs. Your ID card gets you access to check out the latest equipment for digital video, lighting, and sound. You also have access to everything from a a green-screen Chroma Key studio area to a motion capture studio.
Original thinking, the ability to formulate and express clear, relevant thoughts, problem solving and engaging story telling are core skills taught in our Illustration program. You will experiment with a broad array of traditional materials and techniques, including pencils, acrylics, oils, inks and collage, while mastering contemporary digital processes using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
CIA + Rock Hall Partnership
Our senior Illustration students join forces with the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to craft vibrant posters for their induction ceremony. These masterpieces grace the walls of the Rock Hall and find their way into the hands of fans at the shop. But here's the kicker—they not only create these eye-catching designs, but they also snag invites to the induction ceremony itself when it rocks Cleveland!
Isabella Raines ’23 is an Adjunct Professor at the Columbus College of Art & Design in the Illustration department.
Alyssa Lizzini ’22 is a studio artist and illustrator in Cleveland. She is also Auxiliary Programs Coordinator and Camp Director at Ruffing Montessori School.
Brittany Lyn Batchelder ’19 recently published The Avian Tarot with Chronicle Books. It includes 78 tarot cards and a 220-page guidebook based around birds.
Fern Haught ’18 recently published their children’s book, The Baker and the Bard. They weave an enchanting, gentle fantasy tale of friendship, determination, and respecting nature.
Josiah Herman ’17 is a Concept Artist with Bethesda Game Studios. He creates rough sketches, thumbnails, conceptual and production art.
Suzanne McGinness ’07 is currently an Assistant Professor of Illustration at CIA. She has also served as the Chair of the department.
Meet Faculty
Kelsey Cretcher
Professor of PracticeKelsey Cretcher is a professional illustrator, educator, and entrepreneur. Kelsey is primarily a digital artist with a specialization in vector artwork. Her work has been produced worldwide by clients including…
View profileNicholas Leysens
Assistant ProfessorNick Leysens is a designer, storyboard artist, illustrator and animator who has been working for the last 10 years in the tv/film, tech, and commercial industries. His clients include Nickelodeon,…
View profileSuzanne McGinness
Assistant ProfessorSuzanne McGinness completed her BFA in Illustration at the Cleveland Institute of Art. She received a Master of Arts in Children’s Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art through…
View profileDinara Mirtalipova
Assistant ProfessorDinara Mirtalipova is a professional illustrator and folk artist. Born and raised in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and raised in Soviet Uzbek culture, Dinara inhabited Uzbek/Russian folklore that still influences her work.…
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