Illustrator
Description
Illustrators provide a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text or idea. Illustrations can help clarify difficult concepts or objects that are hard to describe textually. Illustrators can work for books, magazines, journals, comic books and other publications.
Includes courtroom sketchers.
Includes medical illustrators.
Other titles
The following job titles also refer to illustrator:
medical illustrator
inker
pyrographic artist
comic strip artist
tattoo drawer
court room sketcher
storyboard artist
comic book illustrator
comic drawer
colorist
cartoon drawer
colourist
comic strip designer
drawer
cartoonist
penciler
book illustrator
children’s book illustrator
drawing artist
Minimum qualifications
Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as illustrator. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.
ISCO skill level
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
- the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
- the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
- the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Illustrator is a Skill level 4 occupation.
Illustrator career path
Similar occupations
These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to illustrator.
cartoonist
drawing artist
storyboard artist
desktop publisher
artistic painter
Long term prospects
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of illustrator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of illustrator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
Essential knowledge and skills
Essential knowledge
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of illustrator.
Labour legislation: Legislation, on a national or international level, that governs labour conditions in various fields between labour parties such as the government, employees, employers, and trade unions.
Intellectual property law: The regulations that govern the set of rights protecting products of the intellect from unlawful infringement.
Art history: The history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.
Graphic design: The techniques to create a visual representation of ideas and messages.
Copyright legislation: Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.
Essential skills and competences
These skills are necessary for the role of illustrator.
Follow work schedule: Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.
Follow a brief: Interpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.
Interpret illustration needs: Communicate with clients, editors and authors in order to interpret and fully understand their professional needs.
Finish project within budget: Make sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.
Contextualise artistic work: Identify influences and situate your work within a specific trend which may be of an artistic, aesthetic, or philosophical natures. Analyse the evolution of artistic trends, consult experts in the field, attend events, etc.
Consult with editor: Consult with the editor of a book, magazine, journal or other publications about expectations, requirements, and progress.
Consult with business clients: Communicate with clients of a business or business project in order to introduce new ideas, obtain feedback, and find solutions to problems.
Select illustration styles: Select the appropriate style, medium, and techniques of illustration in line with the needs of the project and client’s requests.
Analyse texts to be illustrated: Analyse texts to be illustrated; researching and checking sources.
Gather reference materials for artwork: Gather samples of the materials you expect to use in the creation process, especially if the desired piece of art necessitates the intervention of qualified workers or specific production processes.
Ensure visual quality of the set: Inspect and amend the scenery and set-dressing to make sure the visual quality is optimal with in constraints of time, budget and manpower.
Optional knowledge and skills
Optional knowledge
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of illustrator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Ict software specifications: The characteristics, use and operations of various software products such as computer programmes and application software.
Multimedia systems: The methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.
Desktop publishing: The creation of documents using page layout skills on a computer. Desktop publishing software can generate layouts and produce typographic quality text and images.
Optional skills and competences
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of illustrator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Edit negatives: Use different software products and techniques to process photographic negatives and adapt the images to the desired specifications.
Create animated narratives: Develop animated narrative sequences and story lines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
Create original drawings: Create original drawings, based on texts, thorough research and discussion with authors, journalists and specialists.
Plan art educational activities: Plan and implement artistic facilities, performance, venues and museum-related educational activities and events.
Use traditional illustration techniques: Create drawings using traditional illustration techniques such as watercolour, pen and ink, airbrush art, oil painting, pastels, wood engraving, and linoleum cuts.
Develop educational resources: Create and develop educational resources for visitors, school groups, families and special interest groups.
Apply desktop publishing techniques: Apply desktop publishing techniques and software to create page layouts and typographic quality text.
Create sketches: Draw sketches to prepare for a drawing or as a standalone artistic technique.
Develop educational activities: Develop speeches, activities and workshops in order to foster access and comprehension to the artistic creation processes. It can address a particular cultural and artistic event such as a show or an exhibition, or it can be related to a specific discipline (theatre, dance, drawing, music, photography etc.). Liaise with storytelles, craftspeople and artists.
Use digital illustration techniques: Create drawings using digital illustration programmes and techniques.
Perform image editing: Edit various types of images such as analogue and digital photographs or illustrations.
Collaborate with a technical staff in artistic productions: Coordinate the artistic activities with others who are specialised in the technical side of the project. Inform the technical staff of the plans and methods suggested and obtain feedback on feasibility, cost, procedures and other relevant information. Be able to understand the vocabulary and practises concerning technical issues.
Edit photographs: Resize, enhance and retouche photographs, using airbrushing, editing software and other techniques.
Create 2d painting: Produce a drawing by using a range of digital tools.
Design graphics: Apply a variety of visual techniques in order to design graphic material. Combine graphical elements to communicate concepts and ideas.
ISCO group and title
2166 – Graphic and multimedia designers
References
- Illustrator – ESCO