Illustrator
What is the work like?
As an illustrator you would produce drawings, paintings or diagrams that help make products more attractive or easier to understand. This could include books, book jackets, greetings cards, adverts and packaging, and detailed technical diagrams for manufacturers.
Your work would typically include:
- discussing requirements (the ‘brief’) with authors, editors or designers
- negotiating prices and timescales
- deciding on appropriate styles for the illustrations
- creating illustrations using hand drawing, painting or computer design packages
- consulting with the client and modifying designs if necessary
- making sure the work is completed within set budgets and deadlines.
As you would usually be freelance, you would also need to market your work and complete the administrative tasks associated with running a business.
You may be able to specialise in one type of illustration, such as children’s books or medical illustration.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
With artistic talent, determination and relevant experience you may be able to develop a career in illustration without a formal qualification. However, most professional illustrators have a degree, either in illustration or in another art-related subject.
Entry requirements for degree courses often include a recognised art and design foundation course. You may also be considered with other relevant qualifications and could 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.
Marketing your work
You will need an up-to-date portfolio of your work to show to prospective clients. You may be able to find a portfolio-building course at a local college if you need help putting your work together.
You could 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 each year by A & C Black. You should be able to find it in your local reference library as well as in bookshops.
The Artists Information Company website also has a range of resources to help you market your work (you will need to register to access some of these).
Using an agent
If you work as a freelance illustrator you will usually sell your work through an artists' agent, who may 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 Association of Illustrators (AOI) website. If you join the AOI you can have your contact details and samples of your work displayed on the website.
What further training and development can I do?
You can develop your skills as an illustrator by doing postgraduate degrees and diplomas in fine art and illustration, although these are not essential. You will usually need a first degree to get onto one of these. Courses are available part-time, and you might be able to study a particular area such as children's book illustration.
Joining professional bodies such as the AOI and the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators will give you professional recognition, opportunities for networking and the chance to take part in training events and seminars. As a member of AOI you will also have access to portfolio consultations and business and legal advice.
You can develop and update your skills in using computer packages such as Illustrator, QuarkXpress and Adobe Photoshop by attending part-time courses available at many colleges.
Where can I go for more information?
2nd FloorBack Building
150 Curtain Road
London
EC2A 3AR
Tel: 020 7613 4328
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire
PE2 5WX
Tel: 01733 390141
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
As illustrators are usually freelance, there are no set salary figures.
Professional organisations such as the Association of Illustrators will advise on rates of pay, and the Artists Information Company website has resources to help artists and illustrators price their work.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work freelance and arrange your own working hours, depending on your workload and the deadlines you have to meet.
You could be based at home or in a studio, and may spend 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.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent drawing skills
- attention to detail
- the ability to work to a brief
- creativity and imagination
- knowledge of computer graphics
- the ability to manage your time and meet deadlines
- good communication skills for making presentations and 'selling' ideas.
What opportunities are there?
You will usually work freelance and may use an agent or sell your work directly to clients. It can be difficult to become established and known to commissioning clients and agents. As a result, you may need to supplement your income with other part-time work whilst building up contacts.
You could work for a design agency, publishing company or magazine, although you may also need graphic design skills to do this.
Networking and building up contacts is essential for finding work. You can use publications such as the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook for researching potential clients. As a member of AOI you can register for entry on the AOI database which potential commissioners can search.
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