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Illustrator

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Illustrator

Illustrator Career Details

Illustrators produce drawings, paintings or diagrams that help make a product more attractive or easier to understand. Sometimes illustration and graphic design are combined.

Illustrators may work on a variety of products, including books and book jackets; brochures and leaflets; educational reference materials; instruction manuals; greetings cards; packaging and magazines.

They work in many different styles and for many different projects, ranging from illustrations for children’s books to detailed technical diagrams for manufacturers. In most cases they take a brief from the client or designer and use this as the basis for ideas.

Specialist areas include fashion, medical and scientific illustration. See the Medical Illustrator profile for information on this area.

Illustrators may use computer design packages, but drawing and painting are still very important.

Working Environment

Illustrators usually work between 30 and 40 hours a week, but might work longer hours to meet deadlines. Part-time work is possible. Because most illustrators are freelance, hours may vary and will often be flexible.

Illustrators usually work at home or in a studio. If they are involved in technical or scientific illustration they may also make site visits. Some time may be spent visiting clients to promote work and discuss briefs.

Illustrator Related Skills

To be an illustrator you need:
  • excellent drawing skills and an appreciation of detail
  • the ability to work to a brief and think around a problem
  • creativity and imagination
  • knowledge of CAD (computer aided design) and computer graphics
  • to be able to manage time well and meet deadlines
  • to be good at communicating with clients and colleagues and, especially for freelancers, the ability to make presentations and sell ideas
  • business skills for freelance work
  • to be able to handle criticism.

Illustrator Career Opportunities

Most illustrators work freelance and may use an agent (who takes a commission of up to 40%), or sell their work directly. Lists of agents are available from AOI. It can be extremely difficult to become established and known to commissioning clients and agents and many illustrators supplement their income with other part-time work whilst building up contacts.

It is also possible to work for a design agency, a publishing company or a magazine, though graphic design skills may be required. A very few illustrators work for industrial or commercial clients directly.

Publications such as the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook are useful for researching potential clients. This is published annually, and should be available in reference libraries as well as in bookshops.

As an illustrator working for a company, progression to art director or design manager is possible. There may also be opportunities to specialise or to teach.

Membership of professional bodies such as AOI and the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators gives professional recognition and opportunities for networking. Members of AOI have access to portfolio consultations and business and legal advice. You can also register for entry on the AOI database which potential commissioners can search. See Further Information.

Further Career Information

If you would like to know more about a career as an Illustrator related facts, statistics, articles and websites.

Career Steps

Not quite sure about a career as a Illustrator? Try our step-by-step career guide to reaching your chosen career.

Career Courses

Not quite qualified to be a Illustrator? Take a look at Postgraduate Illustrator courses, Undergraduate Illustrator courses, Adult learning Illustrator courses, our course browses or use our search form and find courses which will help you on your chosen career path.