How to Become an Illustrator: A Complete Guide

Picture this: You’re at your sit/stand desk. You’re smiling, because your client just called to say she loved your work on the last ad campaign. You just went for a run—in the middle of the day—and a publisher is interested in your children’s book.

There’s a clear path to that Chris Riddell-like future. It starts with being honest about your skills. Get an entry-level illustrator job, educate yourself, and build an energizing network. Let’s take a look at the details.

IN THIS GUIDE:

What is an Illustrator?

5 Steps to Become an Illustrator

Career Outlook

Career Resources

What Is an Illustrator?

An illustrator is a visual artist who creates images. They may tell stories or work on media like books, magazines, comics, or digital content. They turn ideas into visuals, collaborating with authors and designers to communicate. For artists, it’s one of the most enjoyable career choices.

Illustrators can work as freelancers or in publishing houses, advertising agencies, or design firms. Salaries range from $40,000 to $100,000, though standouts like Chris Van Allsburg (author of The Polar Express) and Dave McKean make significantly more. The highest-paid illustrator jobs are in:

• Children’s books
• Advertising and branding
• Graphic novels and comic books
• Game design
• Animation
• Fine arts
• Licensing and merchandising

5 Steps to Become an Illustrator

If you’re dreaming of that Kadir Nelson life, let’s go. Your new career as an illustrator starts with taking stock of your skill set, then making sure your education is in line.

1. Assess Your Current Skill Set

To become an illustrator, start with an assessment of your skills. Rate yourself on the following, on a scale of 1-5:

• Drawing fundamentals: Critical. Master basic drawing.
• Composition: Critical. Know how to arrange elements on the page.
• Color theory: Important. Understand how colors interact.
• Digital illustration software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Procreate): Important. Be fluent in these tools.
• Character design: Important if you plan to work in children’s books or games.
• Portfolio development: Important. An online showcase of your work that helps you get clients.
• Storyboarding: Useful. This skill helps in visual storytelling, especially for comics and animation.

If you’re starting from scratch, you need to find a way to start building skills in the above areas. Consider taking online courses in drawing or digital illustration. Start with personal projects, like creating a simple character design or illustrating a favorite scene from a book. Hands-on practice can improve your skills and help you build a portfolio.

2. Consider Your Education

Your education helps determine the types of projects you can do and the clients you can attract.

• High School Diploma: You don’t need a college degree to be an illustrator. Many illustrators are self-taught through online resources and practice.
• Certificate Program: For a more focused education, look into certificate programs in illustration. These often take less than a year, with targeted training in specifics like children’s book illustration, digital techniques, or concept art. A certificate can make you more attractive to potential clients.
• Associate Degree: An Associate Degree in illustration or a related field can build your skills and knowledge. These last about two years and cover topics like drawing techniques, color theory, and digital illustration tools. They also give hands-on experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree: If you want big projects or prestigious clients, consider a Bachelor’s Degree in fine arts or illustration. These four-year programs can help you master design, advanced illustration, and art history. They can also help you create a unique style and a professional portfolio.

Whether you choose self-study or formal education, a strong portfolio is your best way to attract clients.

3. Get Hands-on Practice

As a new illustrator, you won’t get work at Disney or NatGeo with just a couple of t-shirts in your portfolio. Still, practical experience can make you stand out from other entry-level applicants like you blurred the background. Start with personal projects, like illustrating a story you wrote or redesigning a favorite book cover.

Enter online illustration challenges or contests. Look for internships with publishing houses or design studios, or freelance gigs for entry-level clients. Join art communities or platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your work and get some feedback.

4. Write an Illustrator Resume

Warning: The hiring manager won’t always hire the best artist. Sometimes they’ll hire the best resume. But don’t stress—it’s not hard to make a job-getting illustrator resume. You can ChatGPT to do it. In the left margin, click “Explore GPTs.” Type in “resume” and hit enter. Click on the tool at the top of the list. Upload your resume and ask it for advice, or use it to write a brand new resume.

Pack your illustrator resume with action verbs and achievements. Why? Because people believe you can do what you’ve already done. So, don’t list job duties like this:

• Created illustrations for a children’s book.

What’s wrong with that? It only says you did the work — not how well. Here’s that same bullet, but this time it’s an illustrator achievement:

• Created 15 illustrations for a children’s book with $1,200 in sales and positive reviews from readers.

That works because it shows you moved the needle. It’ll turn the hiring manager’s head like a Banksy print.

5. Build a Professional Network

We can’t emphasize this enough: When it comes to being an illustrator, networking is EVERYTHING.

The connections you make can lead to job opportunities, collaborations, and insights that can advance your career. Start by connecting with classmates and instructors from art classes or workshops. They can give you support, mentorship, and job leads.

Go to comic conventions, book fairs, and art exhibitions. Join an association like the Association of Illustrators. Then, don’t be a wallflower—volunteer to help with events so you can meet people without feeling out of place.

You can also go to workshops or local artist meetups. Go anywhere you can meet fellow illustrators or authors, art directors, and publishers. You can also join groups like the Graphic Artist’s Guild on platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram. Join conversations and if you hit it off with someone, ask if you can call them sometime to talk about their career.

Your network is where the work comes from, so work to build it.

Q: Can You Become an Illustrator With No Experience?

You can definitely become an illustrator with no experience. You can start your journey as an illustrator even without formal experience. Some new illustrators build their skills via YouTube tutorials, online courses, and platforms like Skillshare. Practice drawing daily. Experiment with different styles and mediums.

You can also do personal projects, like illustrating your favorite scenes from books. You can also redesign existing book covers or do other free work to build a portfolio. Any way to create and share your work can help you attract potential clients.

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Career Outlook for Illustrators

In 2023, there were about 11,000 Fine Artists (including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators) in the U.S., earning a median salary of $71,420. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4% job growth for these artists in the next 10 years. Successful illustrators succeed by finding a niche. They build specialized skills in children’s book illustration, medical illustration, or concept art for video games. This creates authority and loyalty with clients.

Many illustrators grow relationships with publishing houses, game developers, or advertising agencies who have exciting projects. Some start with “day jobs,” then turn part-time gigs into full-time careers. Some use online platforms to show their work, get clients, and make money through commissions and merchandise sales.

Should You Become an Illustrator?

If you’re creative and visual storytelling and drawing sound like fun, illustration can be a fulfilling career. Be warned that you’ll need a thick skin and resilience, especially because the market’s so competitive. If you prefer a steady paycheck and a structured environment, freelancing might be tough at first, because it can be feast-or-famine.

Illustrators can work in areas like children’s books, editorial art, advertising, or concept art for video games. Many start with freelance projects and a portfolio. They network with other illustrators and with authors, art directors, and marketing teams to get work. The work can be rewarding and diverse, letting you experiment with different styles and mediums.

Types of Illustration Jobs

Illustrators conceptualize and create original images for print publications and the Web. Some illustrators combine traditional art skills (like drawing and painting) with digital media, and some just work digitally.

Illustrators who work by hand should be familiar with and able to use drawing tablets and digital illustration software. Popular software programs for professional illustration include Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and CorelDRAW.

You’ll need an eye for detail, a consistent style, and a willingness to share your work with others. Even if you’re not working closely with other artists, you’ll need to communicate your creative ideas to clients, publishers, and printers.

With that in mind, here are a list of some illustration careers that may interest you.

Illustrator

Illustrators are creative artists who will use their skills to create two-dimensional images for digital media, print media, and even products. They are needed across a wide number of industries including advertising, fashion, print, film and more.

An illustrator will often specialize in a certain industry based on his or her talents and most are self-employed though many work within organizations.

Some responsibilities of an illustrator may include:

• Promoting business(es) and personal work
• Meeting with clients or colleagues to ideate
• Creating imagery that communicates ideas
• Meeting deadlines for clients or employers

Graphic Illustrator

Graphic illustrators are on the illustration side of graphic design. They create images and graphic concepts using computers or by hand for design studios, advertising agencies, the entertainment industry and more. While many of the people in these roles are freelancers, there are some who find work in agencies or larger companies. One of the widely viewed illustrators ever is Sophie Diao, a left-handed artist known for her Google Doodles.

These illustrators do anything from creating logos to designing elements in brochures. To succeed in this field, you need a strong artistic talent and creativity. Graphic illustrators spend their time transforming abstract concepts and ideas into visual representations.

A graphic illustrator may perform some or all of these duties:

• Working with a team to create designs
• Using digital illustration tools like Adobe Illustrator
• Creating drafts to present to clients or teams
• Staying current with tools and design trends
• Meeting deadlines for clients or employers

Storyboard Illustrator

Storyboard illustrators create storyboards either by hand or with a computer for video games, advertising, films, music videos and more. The field was once filled entirely with artists who would hand draw storyboards on paper, now digital animation is dominant.

Storyboard artists use their skills to create an illustrated representation of the director’s vision. They make a series of image-filled panels often using Photoshop. These panels are used to aid in planning all the shots through time. They are the foundation for the next stage in the animation process.

A storyboard illustrator will likely have the following responsibilities:

• Translate a scriptwriter’s or director’s vision into imagery
• Collaborate with teams on projects
• Edit drafts in a continuous creative process
• Meet potentially tight deadlines for team projects

Editorial Illustrator

Editorial illustrators use their artistic abilities to create visual commentaries regarding current topics that are of public interest. Once only hand-drawn, these commentaries are now often done using computer software. An editorial illustrator communicates their thoughts on current events using images, often with no text. The artwork of Victo Ngai, for example, is often featured prominently in The New York Times and The New Yorker because she is able to explore complex narratives in a single, captivating image.

Magazines, ad agencies, newspapers or websites are typical employers for editorial illustrators. The commentaries might be satirical or humorous takes based on the economic, political, religious or scientific issues of the day. Many editorial illustrators are part-time or self-employed.

Some typical tasks and responsibilities an editorial illustrator will have are:

• Stay current on events or topics in the news
• Create images from concepts you imagine
• Work with a writer to create accompanying imagery
• Meet regular, tight deadlines

Cartoonist

Cartoonists work in the animation and multimedia fields to create films, animated shorts, advertisements, comics and more. They may work within large companies or be self-employed or commission-based. Some cartoonists do a mix of company work and their own freelancing. Newspapers, movie studies, magazines or advertising agencies are the type of places where cartoonists often work.

To be a successful cartoonist, you’ll need strong dramatic, comedic or critical talents as well as the ability to illustrate. Aspiring cartoonists should work to improve their communication and writing skills because often they may be required to write or edit scripts.

Some common responsibilities and job duties of a cartoonist are:

• Creating drawings from imagined concepts
• Maintaining a professional portfolio
• Communicating effectively within a team, with clients, and to viewers
• Collaborating with team members, often other artists

Fashion Illustrator

Fashion illustrators are essentially both artist and fashion designer. They create drawings and sketches of shoes, clothing, and fashion accessories for designers, advertising agencies, magazines, and other media. Fashion illustration involves drawing, painting, computer design, and fashion, all in one field. Work is typically commissioned to be used in fashion magazines and websites.  For example, French illustrator Malika Farve is recognized for her minimalist yet impactful vector illustrations in fashion and editorial design.

Typically it is up to the artist which medium is to be used, whether that be charcoal, paint, pencil, or even computer programs like Adobe Photoshop. Most fashion illustrators work as independent contractors on short contracts, though some are hired full time.

A few of the duties and responsibilities of fashion illustrators are:

• Work with designers and art directors to create images
• Draw, paint, and/or use computer software to convey ideas
• Create and maintain a strong fashion illustration portfolio
• Meet deadlines for clients and employers

Related Fields

Some careers are very similar or adjacent to illustration, but not really considered a part of the field. Still, you would benefit from having training or skills in illustration if you were in one of these related fields.

Here are some careers that are related:

• Art Director
• Brand Identity Designer
• Graphic Designer
• Industrial Designer
• 3D Modeler
• Computer Animator
• Video Game Animator
• Interior Designer
• Product Designer
• Packaging Designer

How to Switch to an Illustration Career

Many people start down one career path and decide to change to a career in illustration later. It might seem impossible, but many illustrators have taken to the field after spending time in another line of work. Some do illustrating part-time while continuing their other occupation.

In fact, this is so common with almost any field that schools and colleges are well prepared for this type of person. Certificate programs are created with adult learners in mind. These programs can be finished in just a few weeks, which is helpful for people with busy lives. If this sounds appealing to you, take a look at the Sessions College Undergraduate Certificate in Illustration or our Certificate in Fine Arts.

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Career Resources

You can’t have too many professional resources when striving for an illustration career path. An illustrator can always be developing a new skill, working on improving a portfolio, or networking. There are some great places to dig around if you have the time.

Creating an Illustration Portfolio

How do you showcase all the skills you have to future employers or clients? The best way to do that is to create and promote an illustration portfolio that curates your best work.

Step 1: Create

The obvious first step is to create your portfolio and the work you wish to fill it with. Modern illustrators should have both digital and print portfolios, unless you are specializing in one or the other. You can display your print work online using photographs and show your digital work with prints. Having some overlapping pieces is fine, but keep some unique work in each portfolio.

Your portfolio should highlight your best work in a manner that makes sense and is visually pleasing. Don’t get overly complicated. Let your work speak for itself. Choose a theme that pulls together all your work, but isn’t distracting. If you have trouble simplifying your portfolio, try focusing on your specialized skills.

Step 2: Promote

Once you create your portfolio you need people to see it. Learning to promote your work is important if you want to be successful. Thankfully the technologies of the modern world make it easy to share your work with anyone instantly. Social media programs, websites, messengers and other innovations are great for sharing your work globally.

Trade shows, galleries, and other in-person events are great places to share your work, also. Consider the audience and, if possible, even design portfolios that speak to certain people. Show your relevant pieces to convey your specialized abilities to the people who need to see them most. Practice speaking about your work in a positive way. That may sound easier than it is in reality.

Step 3: Evolve

No illustration portfolio is ever finished. You will need to visit and revisit your portfolio over time to freshen things up, add new work, or take a new approach entirely. As your skills improve you need to make sure you show your improvement to the world. Get feedback from people and use it to improve your display.

New trends will emerge so you should show potential clients that you are familiar with them. As technology improves and changes, new tools will be created. Demonstrate your ability to command new tools and trends in your portfolio.

Three Useful Organizations

Networking with artist and illustrator-friendly groups can help you gather information on how to get started in your career.

• Society of Illustrators. Established in 1901, the Society of Illustrators is the oldest non-profit organization that is dedicated to the art of illustration in the United States. Their mission is to promote the art of illustration and to appreciate the history of illustration. Some notable Society of Illustrators members are Rube Goldberg, Norman Rockwell, and N.C Wyeth. The organization’s Museum of Illustration offers themed exhibits, art education programs, and yearly competitions.
• Graphic Artists Guild. The Graphic Artists Guild is an association of graphic designers, photographers and illustrators. It is made of seven individual chapters in the United States and is a member of the International Council of Design. The guild’s primary purpose is to help graphic artists and other design professionals stay competitive in a constantly changing field. They help graphic artists and other professionals in design to shape and maintain successful careers by offering skills and support.
• Association of Illustrators. The Association of Illustrators (AOI) is a professional body of illustrators in the United Kingdom. The AOI champions the illustration industry and illustrators using promotion, education and campaigning. They work to ensure fair treatment for illustrators and authors and facilitate discussions regarding fair terms in the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions about Illustration

Q: How long do you go to school to be an illustrator?

Most illustrators have some education after high school. Often, they will earn a Bachelor’s degree, which usually takes around four years to complete. Having a degree is not necessary, however, it will help one excel in the field.

Q: Is an Illustration Degree worth it?

Illustrators who earn advanced degrees are more likely to be successful and land better jobs. A degree can show your level of ability and knowledge to potential employers or clients. Considering the potential to increase wages over a lifetime, an illustration degree is worth investing in.

Q: How do I start my own Illustration business?

It is important to learn how to operate a business on some level before starting your own. Most Illustration programs will include some business courses to provide a foundation of knowledge for future business owners. Once you have the fundamentals of business and some illustration experience, you’ll need to find some clients.