Illustrator
An illustrator uses art, design and creative skills to communicate ideas, sensations, facts, feelings and emotions. Illustrators work to commercial briefs to inform, persuade or entertain a client's intended audience, adjusting the mood and style of images accordingly.
Work is predominantly freelance. Possible markets include:
Specialist areas include scientific, technical and medical illustration. In these fields, illustrators create illustrations for text and reference books that may show new products, processes or techniques.
Work activities typically involve:
Although this area of work is open to all graduates and diplomates, the following subjects may increase your chances:
Entry without a degree, HND or foundation degree is commonly possible.
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not needed, but a diploma or MA in Graphic Design or Illustration may be advantageous, especially for illustrators who are interested in teaching as well.
Qualifications and subject of study are far less important than a talent for illustration, promotional skills and the ideas contained in your portfolio. Prospective illustrators who do not have published work should create a portfolio that demonstrates they can work to a brief. This might include designs for a book cover, a set of illustrations for a well-known book, a series of greetings cards, CD covers or illustrations for a car manual.
In order to embark on a career as an illustrator you need:
The ability to produce work in multimedia format is becoming increasingly important.
In order to secure commissions, you will need to promote your work to art directors, publishing editors and design studio managers. Organise an appointment to show your (targeted) portfolio or picture library to clients you think would be likely to use your type of work and leave a business card or send samples of your work in advance.
Identify potential clients using the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook , Willings Press Guide , The Directory of UK and Irish Book Publishers, Directory of Publishing: United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland and The Marketing Manager's Yearbook.
Many illustrators use agents to secure commissions. They will look at portfolios, advise clients and try to secure work for you, although this will be at a cost (up to 40% of your fee). Lists of agents are available from the Association of Illustrators (AOI) .
Investigate and take advantage of business start-up schemes to set up a studio and establish sound working practices. Join the AOI or a local group. Ensure you have sound business and management skills.
In an increasingly global market, a web presence is becoming an essential tool for illustrators. A number of sites host searchable databases (the AOI online database is popular) providing links to websites for potential commissioners to search, although you should research the management/marketing of each site carefully before registering for these services. It may also be possible to advertise your work directly via directories such as The Creative Review Handbook .
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Students with a good honours degree may continue to postgraduate degree level before starting full-time work. Courses last from one to three years and may be followed part time while you are developing freelance work. Most postgraduate degrees include a series of studio-based modules, self-directed learning and individual research, as well as professional practice. Studying at postgraduate level may offer the opportunity to specialise in areas such as children's book illustration, sequential design and illustration, or medical illustration.
Evening classes, competitions and workshops, such as those offered by Design & Art Direction (D&AD) , are a great way of keeping portfolios up to date and varied; they can also generate extra exposure for applicants.
The Association of Illustrators (AOI) offers one-day professional practice courses which provide practical advice and information on survival skills for new illustrators. One-to-one portfolio advice is also available for a small fee to AOI members. This can be invaluable in identifying potential clients and targeting portfolios effectively.
It is useful to consider part-time training to update skills in using computer-aided design (CAD) packages, such as Illustrator, QuarkXPress, Freehand and Adobe Photoshop. This may help generate more work. A good knowledge of digital media and web marketing skills will be helpful.
Business skills are as important as creative skills. Short self-employment courses offered at local careers services and enterprise agencies can be useful for understanding all aspects of business and marketing.
On average, it takes illustrators around five or six years to build a reputation and become established in the industry.
Setting up as a freelance illustrator is risky and many people decide to build up contacts and clients gradually, whilst doing other paid work.
Career progression is relatively limited. The majority of illustrators will remain freelance illustrators and may enjoy a highly successful career. Some will successfully combine illustration with teaching. Others may progress from freelance illustrator to art director with a firm of publishers, and a small number may work as agents for other illustrators.
The Association of Illustrators (AOI) is staffed by practising illustrators and provides invaluable help and advice to its members, including advice on career development issues. Other membership benefits include a regular newsletter, the opportunity to attend seminars on useful issues, help with portfolios and advice on invoicing and pricing. A directory of members is published with examples of their work, together with an excellent online discussion board covering all areas of practice.
Most illustrators work as self-employed freelance artists, although trend forecasting (fashion) and computer games companies do provide a limited number of opportunities for full-time employment.
Illustrators need to market their work to potential employers. The market base will depend on the type of work an illustrator does, and illustrators may be employed in a number of different areas. Freelancers are increasingly using illustrator agents to generate and market their work.
Advertising agencies and design consultancies can provide very lucrative work. In the past, it was common for them to only commission well-established illustrators, but there is now an increasing trend towards finding fresh, new ideas amongst new graduates.
Corporate communications remains a viable market for illustration, although it is a competitive area and there is a slight trend (reflecting the current economic environment) towards firms using in-house design solutions to keep costs low, rather than turning to freelancers.
Another significant market is the children's book industry, which can be especially lucrative and satisfying for those with a talent for writing as well as illustrating. Anyone interested in this area of work should check childrensillustrators.com for exclusive interviews with industry professionals worldwide.
Other markets include film posters, billboards, greetings cards, packaging, fine art posters, animated commercials, animated TV shows and short films and government information services (including health and education).
Recruitment agencies include Careers in Design , Profiles Creative and Creativepool .
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
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