What I learned in MA Illustration Program in the UK

In May 2024, I completed my third (and final) semester of the MA Illustration program at Middlesex University. For our final major project, we had to choose between creating a children’s book or a comic. I chose the latter—to tell a story from my own life through comics.

Over the course of three months, I finished a 120-page comic. It was the first time I had ever created such a large-scale work, and all I could think about was getting it done. In the end, I completed the full draft, but unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to experiment with color. That was something I truly regretted.

I still remember what my professors, Martin and Nancy, used to say: “Always try different ways of painting in your illustrations. Never stick to just one method—you never know which one might be the best.” At first, I worried—wouldn’t it be a waste of time to draw the same piece multiple times? Many of my classmates felt the same way.

Now I realize: perhaps that’s the British way of teaching, which is very different from the art education system in Taiwan. In the UK, the process is just as important—if not more so—than the final outcome. It takes more time, but it often leads to more satisfying results.

After finishing my comic, I asked for feedback from my classmates. They told me, “You should definitely add more color—your drawings are so detailed!” And I totally understood what they meant.

That’s why, after graduating and returning to Taiwan, I’ve continued applying what I learned in the UK. In my new comic project, I’ve started experimenting with color in different ways—testing out new palettes, mediums, and textures to bring the story to life.