How to become an illustrator

Pathways to this career

1. Complete a recognised qualification in design. Other areas of study include animation, graphic design, digital media, new media design, fine arts, creative arts, visual arts or visual communication.
2. Create and maintain a portfolio showcasing your previous work, mock projects and illustration style. Prospective employers will use this to help them decide if you are the right fit for the job.
3. Practice makes perfect. Get as much experience as you can!

What does an illustrator do?

Duties and tasks

• Combine images and symbols to create visual representations of concepts, products, stories and ideas.
• Create and design original illustrations for a variety of media and industries including video games, film or television storyboards, magazine, book covers and children's story illustrations.
• Create drawings, sketches, painting, photography or visual images of designs for clients to review, and then create polished illustrations.
• Ensure that creation of illustration production in selected media accurately depicts desired illustration, working with necessary staff such as technicians, developers, and printers.
• Use a variety of software programmes and tools to create original and creative illustrations to produce technical and aesthetically pleasing illustrations.

Industry bodies

• Australian Association of Architectural Illustrators 
• Australian Graphic Design Association 
• The Design Institute of Australia (DIA)

Related jobs

• Art director
• Artist
• Graphic designer
• Interior designer
• Motion graphics designer
• Painter and visual artist