You'll need a higher national diploma or degree in illustration or a related subject like fine art or graphic design.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree
Illustrators produce drawings, paintings or diagrams for use in products like books and greetings cards, or on packaging.
£18,000 Starter
to£40,000 Experienced
39 to 41 variable
freelance / self-employed managing your own hours
You can get into this job through:
You'll need a higher national diploma or degree in illustration or a related subject like fine art or graphic design.
You'll usually need:
College courses that may help you get into this role include:
You may need:
You could market your work by contacting companies directly. You can find advice about getting started as a freelance illustrator, how to prepare a portfolio, lists of publishers, and other useful information in The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook.
As a freelance illustrator you'll need to think of creative ways to get your work noticed. You'll also need a portfolio of your work to show prospective clients or for entry onto courses.
Building a website or starting a blog where you can showcase your work is one way to get noticed.
Having a presence on social media sites like Instagram is a great way of connecting with the public and potential customers.
If you work as a freelance illustrator you may decide to sell your work through an agent, who could put you in touch with more buyers. An agent will take a percentage of your sales as commission. The Society of Artists Agents has details of agents as well as examples of artists' work.
You can get more details about working in illustration from the Association of Illustrators.
You can get information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
You'll need:
Day-to-day you may:
You could work in a creative studio, from home or at a client's business.
With experience and graphic design skills you could work for a design agency, publishing company or magazine. You could also move into specialist work, for example architectural or archaeological illustration.
We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an illustrator right now.
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