Illustrator
Design your future with a career as an Illustrator! To support ‘National Storytelling Week’, we’re highlighting a role that brings stories to life. As an Illustrator, you’ll create drawings, paintings, or digital artwork for everything from books and packaging to websites and marketing campaigns. It’s a career where your creativity takes centre stage, and your imagination can truly shape your future.
Pen at the ready, let’s design your future…
Job Description
Salary (Avg.) £32,020
As an Illustrator, you can take your creativity in all kinds of directions. Illustrations are everywhere, even in the most corporate settings, where brochures, reports, and branding materials rely on visual storytelling. In this role, you’ll work from a creative brief to produce artwork that fits a company’s brand and is aimed at their specific audience.
Depending on the path you choose, illustration can offer a great balance of creativity and career opportunity. You can become an in-house illustrator, where you’ll follow consistent brand guidelines and enjoy job stability. Alternatively, you can become a freelance illustrator, allowing for more variety, creative freedom, and flexibility. This career also allows you to be self-employed, building your own client base and unique artistic style. With experience and a strong portfolio, you could grow your income up to £44,000 per year.
Qualifications and Skills
There’s no single route to becoming an Illustrator, but most in the field have art and design qualifications and a portfolio that showcases their creative skills.
To prepare for this career, it’s a good idea to study Art at GCSE and A-level to build both your skills and your portfolio. You can further develop your abilities by studying an Art and Design or Art and Illustration course at university.
Alternatively, you could pursue an apprenticeship, though these are competitive. Another option is to start freelancing, building experience and a client base before applying for a full-time role once you feel ready.
What you can be doing now
Practice makes perfect! The best way to improve your illustration skills and develop your unique style is to draw as much as possible. Building a strong portfolio is key – consider volunteering your illustrations for local projects, charities, or small businesses. This not only helps you practice but also gives you real-world experience, a taste of working with clients, and the opportunity to build a client base and references for future opportunities.
Turn your creativity into a career and become an Illustrator!
