>> The continuing education program, structured The continuing education program, structured in 60 credits and one academic year, is aimed at graduates in Higher Artistic Education and university graduates seeking to acquire advanced skills in graphic creation, editing and development of comic projects.
>> The need for degrees in comics and the professionalization of the sector becomes essential to guarantee the future of a rapidly expanding discipline and to prevent the Balearic Islands from being left out of this expanding cultural and creative phenomenon.
The ADEMA School of Higher Artistic Education will launch a master’s degree in professional development of comics, a new continuing education qualification that will be taught in a blended learning format, and which will have twenty places in its first edition.
The program, structured in sixty credits and one academic year, is aimed at graduates in Higher Artistic Education and university graduates seeking to acquire advanced skills in graphic creation, editing and development of comic book projects.
According to ADEMA President Diego González, “the launch of the master’s program responds both to the growth of the comic book sector in Spain and to the need identified in Mallorca for advanced training in this discipline. It is important to ensure that the Balearic Islands are not left out of this expanding cultural and creative phenomenon currently experienced by the comic book industry.” Data from 2023 shows a growing sector, with more than 4,700 commercial releases and over 860,000 printed pages, figures that represent a record and an estimated turnover of 130 million euros and more than 1,500 direct jobs. This is further reinforced by the consolidation of major events such as specialized congresses and festivals, both nationally, like the recently held Comic Con in Málaga, which demonstrate the cultural and economic weight of graphic storytelling and its growing prominence in the Spanish creative industry.
This medium is receiving increasing attention due to its role as cultural heritage and an artistic medium capable of addressing social, educational, and creative issues. Furthermore, we have observed a growing demand for professionals trained to meet the current challenges of the comic book ecosystem in both print and digital environments.
>> The president of ADEMA, Diego González, has emphasized the implementation of this new degree to revitalize and face new challenges.
In this regard, González explained that “the degree program is designed to meet the training needs of a sector that has diversified its career paths into areas such as creative writing, editorial illustration, design, animation, visual communication, cultural production, and research related to comics.” Furthermore, “it also aligns with our strategy to expand the range of higher artistic education programs, strengthening the presence of emerging disciplines and contributing to the professionalization of the sector at a time when comics are consolidating their position as an artistic, literary, and publishing medium.”
The Inca City Council has emphasized that this new training program represents a significant step forward for the municipality: “The implementation of this master’s program at the ADEMA Campus confirms that Inca is becoming a benchmark for artistic and creative training in this sector. Having an official program highlights our city’s ability to attract students, revitalize the cultural scene, and project a modern image committed to emerging industries.”
>> The vice president of the Comic Cluster, Pere Joan, views this qualification positively and assures that it will allow young people to train without leaving the island in a sector with high employability potential.
On the other hand, Pere Joan, vice president of the Comics and New Media Cluster, has welcomed the addition of the new master’s program to Mallorca’s educational landscape. “Comics is a growing sector with significant national and international potential. Having official training focused on professional practice allows our young people to develop their skills without having to leave the island and helps consolidate a creative sector capable of generating competitive content. The cluster believes this program will meet a real demand in the sector and produce professionals prepared to face the industry’s current challenges,” he stated.
She also emphasized the importance of strengthening the relationship between education and industry. “Collaboration between educational institutions and the cultural sector is fundamental for progress. This master’s program introduces updated content, digital tools, and work dynamics similar to those found in professional environments. This facilitates job placement and creates a creative ecosystem that benefits both students and companies linked to the sector,” she stated.
ADEMA’s Master’s in Professional Development in Comics offers comprehensive training covering the main areas related to the creation and production of graphic works in the current context. The curriculum is organized into four modules that combine fundamentals, technical tools, market knowledge, and project development.
The degree program integrates active learning methodologies such as applied project development, work in real-world creative environments, and solving challenges related to contemporary publishing practices. Furthermore, the program includes intensive use of digital illustration, editing, and design tools, which are essential in current comic book production for both print and digital platforms.
The teaching staff will consist of PhDs and active professionals in the fields of Fine Arts, illustration, graphic design, philology, and publishing. In addition, guest lecturers from the world of comic book creation, publishing, and the comic book industry are expected to participate, providing an up-to-date perspective on the professional landscape.
Furthermore, it is worth highlighting that internationalization will be another pillar of the program. ADEMA maintains collaboration and mobility agreements with institutions such as the University of the Arts London (UAL), the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan, the École Européenne Supérieure d’art de Bretagne, the Royal Danish Academy, the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk (Poland), and other European and American universities. These partnerships facilitate exchanges, training residencies, participation in international weeks, and contact with professional networks in the field of visual arts.
In addition to the academic dimension, the master’s program incorporates support services such as personalized attention, advice for foreign students, detailed teaching guides, an academic calendar, and specific resources for planning the learning process.
Remember that ADEMA has decided to undertake a growth project to meet the training needs in our Islands and respond to the shortage of professionals suffered by certain productive sectors of the socio-economic environment of the Balearic Islands.