Illustration practice over the last three decades has become an even more international discipline with illustrators working across a range of global markets. The Internet and social media, such as Instagram, provide opportunities for illustrators to promote their work to a global audience, allowing opportunities for more international commissions, projects and collaborations. In this global market a greater awareness of other cultures is an essential aspect in the learning of any new graduate.

The current master’s programmes in Communication Design, at The Glasgow School of Art, were established in 2011. They have since grown to a cohort of approximately 50 students, comprised of students from over twenty different nationalities. In this case study I will reflect on what the team has learned through working with such a culturally diverse cohort of students at masters level. I will discuss the strategies the team has developed to deal with the diversity of prior study and cultures. I will provide insights from current illustration students and recent graduates of their experience of this culturally diverse programme and how it has informed their practice and development as reflective practitioners. I will explore the benefits of peer learning in a culturally diverse cohort and benefits of a critical reflective journal in student development.