Illustrator Job Description
Overview
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The Illustrator creates unique images for various types of media. Their role is to design pieces that provide information, persuade or entertain a specific type of audience dependant on the client. Their responsibilities are to stay up-to-date with new design techniques and software, ensure that printed illustrations meet quality and color standards, define time and budget limitations, participate in design briefs with clients, editors and marketers to identify their needs, use various colors, graphics and effects to visualize each concept, refine designs with illustration software, combine hand-drawing and painting with digital media to create complete illustrations, and prepare rough dra...
Steps to take to start your career as an Illustrator and other jobs like it
- Take courses, attend workshops, and PRACTICE writing regularly. Learn about grammar, punctuation, plot, characterization, dialogue, and pacing. Read books from various genres and authors to understand different writing styles and storytelling techniques. Experiment with different writing styles and genres until you find your own unique voice.
- Practice writing consistently. Set aside time each day or week to write, even if it's just for a short period. Set specific, achievable writing goals, whether it's completing a certain number of words per day or finishing a draft by a particular deadline. Goals help keep you motivated and focused. The more you write, the better you'll become. Revise and edit multiple times. Get feedback, have people read your work and let you know how they feel. This could be on an individual basis or through forums to reach a wider audience.
- Decide what type of writing you want to specialize in. This could be fiction (e.g., novels, short stories, graphic novels, children's’ books), non-fiction (e.g., articles, essays, memoirs, long form books), copywriting (e.g., advertising, marketing materials), technical writing, and so many more.
- Understand the publishing process in your niche, whether it's traditional publishing, self-publishing, or a combination of both. Research the industry, including how to submit manuscripts, negotiate contracts, and market your work. Depending on your niche, you may be able to forgo the publishing route and write in more of a 9-5 type job.
- Regardless of your publishing path, start building an author platform to connect with readers. This can include creating a website, blog, social media presence, and participating in book events or signings. Develop a marketing plan to promote your work. This may include running advertising campaigns, reaching out to book bloggers for reviews, participating in book tours, and engaging with your audience on social media.
My Career Path to a Published Author
Hello, I am Nathan Hale. I am a New York Times bestselling author and author-illustrator of graphic novels for young readers.
I chose this job because I have always wanted a job that involved drawing and creating and telling stories. When I was in high school, I started drawing a lot and I kind of made a goal that I would only take jobs that involve art. I jumped from mural painting and houses, doing display work for museums, to paid illustration. I went to art school and I began drawing. An author friend asked if I wanted to get involved on a graphic novel project. I said yes, and that was 14 years ago and I'm still working in graphic novels.
Graphic Novelist Job Requirements
These books take up to a year to create. When you're creating a graphic novel, you're essentially drawing thousands of tiny compositions. So the main thing is time, time, and ability to draw and ability to write and explain things using the cartoon language. Not just words, but the ways cartoons work. If you are a cartoonist, you are going to spend about 10 hours a day drawing. I will sometimes draw up to 16 hours a day and that's every day. I don't get weekends, I don't get holidays. It is constantly drawing. BUT, you get to work wherever you want.
How Much Does an Author Make?
Early days, not much, and you only get paid twice a year. Your royalty's statement comes two times. You get paid to fall and you get paid in the spring. It took me until I had probably over 12 books out before I was making six figures. You gotta do it out of love and you got to put out a lot of books. Once you get a lot of books out though, the royalties continue to come in and it gets pretty comfortable. After a while, but it took a long time to get there.
Writer Pros and Cons
The pros are you are telling stories. You're essentially like a movie director that doesn't have to work with anybody. You're telling the whole story and that's a really fun feeling if you like that kind of thing. The cons are, it's all you get to do. You have to think about it all the time. You draw it all the time. You don't get much free time, you don't get a lot of hobbies. You're just drawing all the time. But if you like that kind of thing, it's great.
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Education you need to become an Illustrator
These are the most common degrees or certificates earned by Jobtrees users prior to becoming an Illustrator
There may be other required degrees or certifications needed for this job. The below info shows you the most commonly desired education level from employers when hiring for this job.
- Bachelor Degree in Illustration
- Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts
- Bachelor Degree in Fine Art
- Master Degree in Illustration
- Bachelor of Arts (b.a.) in Illustration
Annual Pay Estimate for Illustrator and Other Important Info
See how many years Illustrator's are in their job, how much they make, how long it took to get there and how available this job is in terms of open positions.
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