Illustrator

Typical Salary

£18,000 To £40,000

Typical Hours

39 to 41 variable

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How To Become a Illustrator

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
applying directly

College / University

You'll need a higher national diploma or degree in illustration or a related subject like fine art or graphic design.

between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree

College courses that may help you get into this role include:

Level 2 Diploma in Art and Design
A Level in Art and Design
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship are not listed for this job.

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

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.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
design skills and knowledge
knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
thinking and reasoning skills
the ability to use your initiative
active listening skills
the ability to work well with your hands
to be flexible and open to change
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Day To Day Tasks

Day-to-day you may:

discuss requirements, or a 'brief', with authors, editors or designers
negotiate prices and timescales
research your creative ideas
decide on the right style for illustrations
create rough, hand drawn sketches
create final illustrations using hand drawing, painting or computer design packages
if you're self-employed, promote your business and manage your finances

Working Environment

You could work in a creative studio, from home or at a client's business.

Career Path & Progression

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.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Career tips

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.

Further information

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.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.