illustrator

The work

Illustrators produce drawings, paintings or diagrams that help make a product more attractive or easier to understand. They work to briefs from clients or designers to create illustrations for a variety of audiences.

Illustrators may work on a range of products, including:

• brochures and leaflets
• computer games and animation
• packaging and branding
• posters and story boards
• books and instruction manuals
• greetings cards
• magazines, newspapers and comics.

Illustrators may sometimes use computer design packages or a combination of illustration and graphic design, but drawing and painting skills are still very important.

Projects and styles can range from illustrations for children’s books to detailed technical diagrams for manufacturers. Specialist areas include fashion, medical and scientific illustration. See the Medical Illustrator profile for information on this area. 

Hours and Environment

Illustrators work freelance and arrange their own working hours, depending on their workload and the deadlines they have to meet.

As an illustrator you will usually work at home or in a studio. You may spend some time visiting clients to market your work and discuss briefs. If you are involved in technical or scientific illustration you may also make site visits.

Skills and Interests

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 your time well and meet deadlines
• to be good at communicating with clients and colleagues, making presentations and 'selling' ideas
• to be able to handle criticism.

Entry

If you have artistic talent, determination and the relevant experience you can make a career in illustration without a formal qualification.  However, most professional illustrators have a degree in illustration or another art-related subject, sometimes followed by a postgraduate qualification.

Some degree courses may only accept people with a recognised art and design foundation, but they may also consider other qualifications. You might be accepted on the strength of your portfolio. Check with individual universities and colleges for their entry requirements.

To search for colleges and universities offering art and design foundation courses and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Marketing your work
You will need an up-to-date portfolio of your work to show to prospective clients. You might be able to find a portfolio-building course at a local college if you need help in assembling your work. 

You can also market your work by contacting relevant companies directly. You can find advice about getting started as a freelance illustrator, lists of publishers and other useful information in the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook, published by A & C Black. This is published annually, and should be available in your local reference library as well as in bookshops.

Using an agent
If you work as a freelance illustrator you will usually use an artists' agent to sell your work. Agents can take a commission of up to 40%. You can find lists of agents, publishers and specialist organisations such as those for children's books on the website of the Association of Illustrators (AOI) in Further Information. If you join the AOI you can also have your contact details and samples of your work displayed on the website. Please see Further Information for a link to the AOI website for details. 

Training

There are postgraduate degrees and diplomas in fine art and illustration. You will usually need a first degree to get on to one of these. Courses are available part-time, and you might be able to specialise in a particular area such as children's book illustration.

The Association of Illustrators (AOI) and the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators provide training events and seminars for members.

You can develop and update skills in using computer packages such as Illustrator, QuarkXpress and Adobe Photoshop by attending part-time courses available at many colleges.

Opportunities

Most illustrators work freelance and may use an agent or sell their work directly. It can be difficult to become established and known to commissioning clients and agents. As a result, many illustrators supplement their income with other part-time work whilst building up contacts.

Some illustrators work for design agencies, publishing companies or magazines, though you may also need graphic design skills to do this. Very few illustrators work for 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.

Annual Income

These figures are intended as a guideline only. Income for illustrators varies according to ability and reputation and type of employer.

Income for new entrants may be up to £15,000.
Experienced illustrators earn £19,000 to £27,000.
Well-established illustrators might earn £40,000.

Illustrators who work independently and those with recognised ability may earn more.

Freelance illustrators charge a fee per illustration.

Further information

PO Box 522
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire
PE2 5WX
Tel: 01733 390141 11 Southwark Street
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444 2nd Floor
Back Building
150 Curtain Road
London
EC2A 3AR
Tel: 020 7613 4328

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