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An illustrator is a visual artist who specializes in creating images and designs for various purposes, such as books, magazines, advertisements, and digital media. Illustrators use their artistic skills to convey ideas, tell stories, or enhance the visual appeal of a project.
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An illustrator is a visual artist dedicated to enhancing written media by creating images that capture, explain, or embellish text and concepts.
- Overview
- What is an illustrator?
- What does an illustrator do?
- How to become an illustrator
- Salary and job outlook for an illustrator
- Key skills for illustrators
If you enjoy drawing and using your innate creativity, consider becoming an illustrator. As an illustrator, you can work full time for an employer or pursue a career on a freelance basis. Learning more about what illustrators do and how to pursue a career in this field can help you make strategic decisions about future jobs.
In this article, we discuss the role of an illustrator and the steps for how to become one, with frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the role.
An illustrator is an artist who creates visual representations that relate to an associated text or idea. They typically design two-dimensional (2D) images for companies, publications or various industries. Illustrators often create images to enhance written content or to define a concept more clearly. While they may draw in pen or pencil to sketch their ideas, they usually scan their images into a computer and use software to add color and digitize the photo.
Related: 12 Types of Illustrators
Illustrators have a wide variety of duties, depending on their area of expertise and industry. While some work in advertising, others may work in publishing, fashion or health care. Here are the common duties for an illustrator, regardless of their specialty:
•Meet with clients to understand their specifications and vision
•Create images that inform, persuade or entertain their clients' audience
•Make adjustments to illustrations based on client feedback
•Negotiate contracts and deadlines
•Maintain a portfolio of work to share with prospective clients
1. Study art techniques
Learning the basic techniques and methods of creating art, such as drawing, composition, painting and shading, gives you the foundation for a career as an illustrator. Consider pursuing a degree program in fine arts to receive technical training in things like digital media and computer graphics. For example, you can take courses on how to use software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, which are common tools for illustrators. You can typically find these programs at art schools and colleges with Liberal Arts programs. While a formal degree is typically voluntary for illustrators, pursuing a bachelor's degree in art or illustration can help you develop your skills in a group setting. It can also offer you chances to receive feedback about your work and meet other artists in your field. During your studies, consider getting an internship or offering your services to help earn work for your portfolio. Please note that the company mentioned in this article is not affiliated with Indeed. Related: 45 Jobs You Can Do With an Art Degree Indeed Editorial Team
2. Determine your style and market
Successful illustrators develop a unique style that differs from others in their field. Once you master foundational techniques, develop your own illustration style throughout your studies and personal practice. Consider which styles best suit your skill set and which you're passionate about creating. Developing a style can help differentiate you from other illustrators and choose a market in which to work. For example, if you're skilled in drawing realistic human figures, consider pursuing jobs in medical illustration. If you create in a whimsical style, a career as a children's book illustrator may suit your talents best. Select projects based on your market preference as you gain experience and consistent work. Once you develop a niche within a market, you can pitch your work and style to clients within a particular industry to secure jobs. Related: How To Become a Technical Illustrator (With Skills and Tips)
3. Create a portfolio
As you create illustrations, whether through school assignments or your professional experience, gather some of your best work. Assemble a professional portfolio that showcases your unique style and creativity. You can use your portfolio to present your work to prospective clients. Consider buying a digital domain to host an online portfolio. This lets you display all of your work together on a single website or platform. You can then send your portfolio to employers so they can view your previous work and determine whether your style fits their project's parameters. Related: How To Create an Art Portfolio (With Definition and Tips)
The national average salary for a professional illustrator is currently $54,114 per year. Salary amounts for illustrators vary based on experience level, geographic location and employer. If you choose to work as a freelance illustrator, you can set your own rates. Salaried positions with an employer offer illustrators benefits like tuition reimbursement, health benefits and parental leave. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the link provided.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists employment data for craft and fine artists, which includes illustrators. The BLS expects an employment growth rate of 6% from 2021 to 2031 for these professions, an average rate compared to most other jobs in the workforce. The BLS also predicts about 5,900 job openings for craft and fine artists each year over this same decade.
Related: How To Find Freelance Art Jobs in the Game Industry in 4 Steps
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Creativity
Illustrators use their creativity and imagination to make engaging images with visual balance, effective layouts and various colors. Creativity can also help these artists develop new ideas for how to convey points of a story through images. Related: 13 Skills for Fine Artists (Plus Steps for Improvement)
Drawing and sketching
Many illustrators use their drawing skills to sketch an idea before finalizing it on a computer. The ability to draw and sketch gives them the opportunity to work with a variety of ideas before committing to one route for their illustration.
Digital media skills
Illustrators use various design software to colorize and digitize their sketches. They also may use computer hardware, like tablets and touch-screen computers, to review and edit their designs.
- Bidisha Das
illustrator. How to become an illustrator as a profession. You’ve built your skills and created a body of your best work, but what’s next? Get tips on portfolio creation and art presentation to help you become a full-time professional illustrator. Explore Illustrator. Not sure which apps are best for you? Take a minute.
Sep 25, 2023 · What does an illustrator do? The answer to 'What does an illustrator do?' is simply a professional who produces visual media for their employer or client. This could be for purely artistic purposes, derivations from concept art, marketing or promotional materials.
Aug 2, 2023 · What does an illustrator do? Illustrators produce illustrations to communicate a message. The message may be inherently more artistic than others (such as the illustrations that you see in a children's book) or they may have a very specific goal like helping sell a product (such as a packaging design).
An illustrator is a specialized artist who visually communicates stories, messages, or ideas. They work in various mediums, including digital and traditional arts, to create images that can represent, clarify, or accompany written text in media such as books, magazines, and digital content.