Illustration and Animation
Rome
ITA
First Level Academic Diploma in Illustration
Language
Italian
Start date
October 2026
Frequency
Full time
Fruition
On campus
Duration
3 Years
Credits
180 CFA / ECTS
Course Coordination
Stefano Bessoni
The Bachelor of Arts in Illustration and Animation at IED Roma conceives drawing as both a language and a tool of knowledge, offering an experimental environment in which to explore fiction and non-fiction illustration, comics, graphic novels, 2D animation and stop-motion, puppet making and concept art for cinema, TV and video games. The programme provides solid technical and methodological training, developing personal and authorial approaches to imagery and its professional applications. Rome itself represents an ideal context for this programme, thanks to its proximity to publishing houses, film and television productions, museums and cultural institutions. This cross-disciplinary orientation has led over time to collaborations with leading Italian festivals and established animation studios.
Course structure and contents:
The IED programme spans three years, during which design is integrated with cultural knowledge, dialogue with professionals, technical skills and innovative tools.
First Year: Focuses on manual drawing, with courses such as life drawing and anatomy. At the same time, students acquire their first design and theoretical skills, including design methodology, theory of perception and semiotics, while being introduced to digital techniques with Photoshop and Illustrator. The year concludes with a thematic project in which students apply their skills to develop a personal visual concept consistent with the lessons learned.
Second Year: Involves more complex projects oriented towards specific professional fields. Drawing is applied to areas such as scientific illustration and infographics, while more authorial and experimental languages are explored, such as graphic novels and pattern design. Technical skills are expanded with InDesign and After Effects, alongside advanced 2D and stop-motion animation techniques using Toon Boom Harmony and Dragonframe. Theoretical courses stimulate critical reflection.
Third Year: Consolidates the student’s professional identity through a personal or company-based thesis project and the development of a portfolio/showreel. The study of authors and trends supports the definition of a personal style. Advanced animation software (Toon Boom Harmony, After Effects, Dragonframe) is explored, and students participate in meetings with industry professionals. The thesis project, carried out individually or in groups, may be editorial, audiovisual or cross-media, and is generally linked to publishing houses, animation studios and industry festivals. It is structured in two phases: research and development, followed by production and final presentation.
Faculty
Course Coordinator
Stefano Bessoni
Director, Screenwriter and Illustrator.
Chiara Rapaccini
Painter, sculptor, illustrator and writer.
Max Giovagnoli
Transmedia Producer & Storyteller
Fabio Magnasciutti
Illustrator and Cartoonist
Riccardo Mannelli
Painter, illustrator and satirical cartoonist
Roberto Frusteri
Maurizio Piraccini
Graphic Designer
Cristina Damiani
Illustrator
Valentina Cestra
Marco Michiorri
Motion Graphic Designer
Barbara D'ambrosio
Sabrina Perucca
Artistic Director and Co-founder of Romics – International Comics, Animation, Games Festival
Valenzia Lafratta
Illustrator
Giulio Castagnaro
Coordinator
Alessandro Martorelli
Illustrator and Cartoonist
Bruno Cannucciari
Grazia La Padula
Chiara Caproni
Graphic Designer
Francesca Crisafulli
Alberto Ruggieri
Michela Rossi
Art director, cartoonist and illustrator
Filippo Foglietti
2D artist
Sergio Riccardi
Animator and Cartoonist
Serafino Murri
Media Critic
Carlo Nannetti
Illustrator
Francesca Romana Spuri
Illustrator
Inside the labs
+9
ANIMATION WORKSHOP
+8
ENGRAVING ROOM
+4
SCANNER LASER 3D - G-SCAN
What people say
“Look for something that really speaks to you and feels like your true emotions. It comes from your soul, from your experience, and it’s something that no one else can do.”
During his masterclass, Plympton shared his creative process with students, reflecting on artistic independence and the importance of developing a personal, authentic, and recognizable style.
Masterclass with Bill Plympton Director, Animator and Illustrator
Special Lesson with Martina Recchiuti
"I like to think that photography contributes to narrative through its images. I think this will last for many years to come, because it started with the history of mankind"
Editor-in-chief of Internazionale Kids. IED alumna. Since 1995 she has collaborated with Internazionale, working in writing, web and illustration.
Special Lesson with Tim Allen
“Coming here today at IED has been wonderful. The students have been so encouraging and you can see they are interested, you can see they are excited and they want to learn about stop motion animation.I had so many questions, so many people show me their work. It has been a really rewarding experience to see how invested everyone is in trying to learn more about animation”.
Director, Actor, Screenwriter, and Stop Motion Animator
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