Illustrator Career Guide

What is an illustrator?

An illustrator is an artist who creates pictures for books, magazines, and digital media. They use both digital tools and traditional art forms to make images that help explain stories and messages. Illustrators make it easier for people to understand and enjoy the content they see.

Duties and responsibilities

Illustrators draw or digitally create images based on ideas or stories from clients. They often work with graphic designers and writers to ensure their pictures fit the project’s style and goals. Key parts of their job include meeting deadlines, managing several projects at once, and keeping up the quality of their work.

Work environment

Illustrators can work almost anywhere—from art studios filled with supplies to using a computer at home. Many choose to work remotely, which lets them set their own schedules and workspaces according to what suits them best.

Typical work hours

Illustrators often have flexible work hours, which lets them adjust their schedule to meet project deadlines. Those who freelance can work any time, like evenings or weekends, depending on what their clients need. Illustrators working for companies might have regular hours but could need to work extra during busy times.

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How to become an illustrator

Becoming an illustrator is all about getting good at drawing, learning the right skills, and showing off your artwork. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Get good at drawing

Whether you’re already great at drawing or just starting, practice a lot. You can take art classes at a community center, join online courses, or even go to an art school.

Step 2: Consider an art degree

While you don’t need a degree to be an illustrator, studying fine arts or design can really help. You’ll learn a lot about art styles, techniques, and tools that can kick-start your career.

Step 3: Learn digital tools

Being able to use digital design tools like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is super important. You can find lots of tutorials online that can teach you how to use these tools.

Step 4: Pick your favorite art type

Figure out what type of illustrations you love creating. This could be anything from drawing for children’s books to making fashion sketches or even medical illustrations. Focus on getting really good in this area.

Step 5: Create a portfolio

Put together a collection of your best work. This portfolio is what you’ll show to potential clients or employers to get jobs. Having it online makes it easy for people to find and see what you can do.

Step 6: Gain some real experience

Try to get an internship or a beginner job at a design studio or a publisher. This will help you see how the industry works and you can learn from experienced artists.

Step 7: Stay current

Art styles and tools can change quickly, so keep learning. Go to art shows, watch online webinars, and keep practicing new techniques.

Step 8: Market yourself

Share your work online and at events. Use social media to reach more people and get your art out there. Networking can help you find more job opportunities.

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How much do illustrators make?

Illustrator salaries will vary by experience, industry, education, location, and organization size. Their portfolio, reputation in the industry, and specialization, such as animation or medical illustration, can also affect compensation.

Highest paying industries

• Motion Picture and Video Industries: $100,940
• Advertising and Public Relations: $76,890
• Publishing Industries: $70,390
• Software Publishers: $67,980
• Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers: $64,200

Browse illustrator salary data by market

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Types of illustrators

Illustrators can work in different cool jobs depending on what they like to draw. Here are some common types:

Storyboard artist

Storyboard artists draw scenes for movies, TV shows, ads, and cartoons. They work with directors and writers to turn story ideas into visual sequences. This job is great for those who love both drawing and storytelling.

Scientific illustrator

For those who like science and art, being a scientific illustrator is perfect. These artists draw detailed pictures of scientific stuff like body parts, plants, or science processes. Their work helps make science easier to understand and is used in books, articles, and online.

Fashion illustrator

Fashion illustrators work with fashion designers to draw new clothing designs. This helps the designers show their ideas to others before the clothes are made. These drawings are also used in ads and magazines.

Editorial illustrator

Editorial illustrators make drawings for newspapers and magazines. They create images that help explain the stories or articles they go with. This job mixes art with journalism.

Children’s book illustrator

Illustrators who draw for children’s books help tell stories through pictures. They work with writers to make the characters and scenes in the book exciting and fun for kids.

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Top skills for illustrators

If you want to be an illustrator, there are some key skills you need to succeed. Here’s what you need to know:

Artistic abilities

Being good at drawing and painting is super important. Illustrators need to know how to use different styles and techniques to make awesome pictures.

Digital knowledge

Knowing how to use art software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is a must. These tools help you turn your drawings into digital art that looks great on screens.

Storytelling skills

It’s cool to be able to tell stories with your pictures, especially if you want to work on things like comic books or children’s books. Your drawings should be able to explain stories without needing many words.

Communication and teamwork

You often have to work with other people, like writers and designers, so it’s important to talk clearly and work well with others. This means understanding what they want and being able to change your work based on their feedback.

Time management

Illustrators often have deadlines, so you need to be good at planning your time and finishing your work when it’s supposed to be done.

Attention to detail

Paying close attention to the small things in your drawings makes a big difference. Whether it’s getting the colors just right or making sure everything looks consistent, details matter a lot.

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Illustrator career path options

Being an illustrator means you have lots of different paths you can choose as your career grows. Here’s what you can do:

Move up in a creative agency

As you get better at your job, you might lead a team of illustrators at a creative agency, a publishing house, or a design firm. This means you get to teach newer artists, manage projects, and make cool stuff together.

Go freelance

Many illustrators work for themselves as freelancers. This lets them choose different projects and work with lots of clients, from ad agencies to fashion designers. The best part? You can work from anywhere, even with clients from around the world.

Create your own books

Some illustrators dream of making their own books, especially children’s books. This can make you pretty famous, especially if your books win awards. You could also start making your own products like t-shirts or posters, which can be really fun and sometimes even turn into a big business.

Try different art forms

Illustrators can also work in other creative jobs like making cartoons, working in animation, or doing graphic design. Using your skills in these areas can make your career really exciting and varied.

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Similar job titles

• Artist
• Graphic Designer
• Art Director
• Game Designer
• Interior Designer
• Web Designer
• Production Artist

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Position trends and outlook for illustrators

If you’re thinking about a career in visual arts, it’s important to know what’s going on in the industry:

• Digital is the way to go: Businesses need illustrators who can make unique designs for their websites and digital ads. But don’t worry if you prefer drawing by hand—traditional skills are still needed, too!
• Freelancing is popular: Many choose to work on their own as freelancers with different clients all over the world, thanks to the internet. It’s a competitive field, though, so having a great portfolio that shows off your best work is important to get noticed.

Employment projections

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says jobs for illustrators are expected to grow by 6% through 2031. That’s about the same as most other jobs. Those who can offer something special, like a unique style or expertise in a certain type of illustration, might find it easier to get good jobs.

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Illustrator career tips

Invest in the right tools

Having the best tools is super important for any illustrator. This includes not just your pencils and paints but also digital tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Procreate on the iPad. Good tools can make your artwork better and help you work faster.

Keep your portfolio updated

Your portfolio is like your magic book—it shows off your best art. Make sure you keep adding your latest and greatest works to it. This helps new clients see what you can do and might help you get more cool projects.

Find your niche

While it’s fun to draw lots of different things, finding one special style that you love and getting really good at it can make you stand out. This can be anything from cartooning to creating detailed scientific illustrations.

Go to workshops and events

Joining workshops and going to art events are great ways to learn new things and meet other artists. You might also meet people who want to hire you or give you advice on your career.

Network with other artists

Making friends with other artists and joining groups can help you a lot. You can share ideas, get feedback on your work, and maybe even find new jobs through the people you meet.

• The Society of Illustrators
• The Association of Illustrators
• Illustrators Australia
• The Illustration Collective

Never stop learning

Art changes all the time, and there are always new things to learn. Watch tutorials, take classes online, or even go to local art schools. This keeps your skills fresh and makes sure you’re always getting better.

Consider certifications

Even though you don’t always need certifications, having some can show you really know your stuff, especially with digital tools like Adobe software.

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FAQs