Illustrator

Career path and progression

If you work freelance, you'll need to build up and maintain a client base.

You can use your illustrating skills in a variety of sectors including:

• advertising
• fashion and merchandising
• publishing
• websites and computer games

With further training and experience you could specialise as a medical illustrator or scientific illustrator. You could also move into teaching.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of the fine arts
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be flexible and open to change
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Art and Design - Illustrators rely on strong drawing, painting, and visual design skills every day. Understanding colour theory, composition, perspective, and different artistic techniques is essential for creating illustrations that communicate ideas effectively across books, packaging, and digital media.
• Design and Technology - Illustrators work through a design process – from interpreting a brief and researching ideas to producing a finished piece that meets a client's needs. Understanding how design choices affect the final product, whether it's a book cover or packaging, is central to the job.

Also relevant

• Computer Science - Illustrators increasingly use digital tools and software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to create and edit their work. Some illustrators working in games or web design need to understand how digital file formats, layers, and rendering processes work at a deeper technical level.
• English Language - Illustrators regularly discuss briefs with authors, editors, and designers, and need to interpret written texts to create visuals that match the content. Freelance illustrators also write proposals, negotiate with clients, and promote their work through websites and social media.
• English Literature - Illustrators who work in publishing need to interpret stories, poems, and other literary texts to create images that capture the mood, themes, and characters. A strong understanding of narrative and how language creates imagery helps them produce illustrations that complement the writing.
• Business - Illustrators are very often self-employed and need to manage their own finances, negotiate prices, find clients, and promote their work. Understanding how to run a freelance business – including invoicing, marketing, and building a client base – is a practical part of the career.