ILLUSTRATING

An illustrator is an artist who creates two-

dimensional images for various companies and
industries, such as fashion design, children's books,
magazines, medical manuals, web sites, technical
designs and advertising. The illustrator will use
various techniques to create effects, like the
simplicity of black and white, the richness of colour,
or the use of light and shadows.
There are many types of illustrators across a
range of industries.
Editorial Illustrator
Editorial illustrators create images that
accompany articles in publications like
newspapers, magazines, and journals. These
illustrations are meant to illuminate key
concepts from the text. A common example
of an editorial illustration is political
cartoons.
Advertising/Product Illustrator
This artist works with advertising agencies to
create a finished drawing or painting of a
product. They create illustrations for items
like brochures, commercial packaging, and
various forms of advertisement. They consult
with clients to establish the creative direction
and content of the illustration.
Storyboard Illustrator
A storyboard illustrator may be employed by an ad
agency or work freelance. They take an art
director’s roughs and develop finished drawings
for presentation purposes. These types of
drawings may be used for ads, commercials, or
television pilots, and are meant to give visual ideas
of what the finished product(s) would look like
after production.
Children’s Book Illustrator
These illustrators create the pictures that
appear beside the text written for a story.
Through this artwork, the illustrator helps
bring the words to life. A children’s book is
typically classified as works for kids 12 years
old and younger.
Fashion Illustrator
Fashion illustration is the intersection
between drawing, painting, and fashion. Work
is usually commissioned for use in fashion
magazines for an editorial feature or for
advertising purposes.
Technical Illustrator
A technical illustrator shows realistic
renderings to communicate information of a
technical nature. Their work may consist of
creating blueprints, equipment installation
graphics, and technical diagrams.
Medical Illustrator
A medical illustrator creates realistic
renderings to be used in the medical field.
These illustrations are used in textbooks,
charts, magazines and advertising all directed
to the medical profession
An illustrator is usually hired or commissioned
to produce a visual representation within the
context of an associated text or idea. There are
various stages in an illustrator's work flow that
usually include:
discussing the client’s illustration and design
needs
negotiating price and deadlines
developing a sample to go over with the client
producing the illustrations by the deadline
Illustrators can work from pencil and paper or
digitally on the computer. They can choose
the medium that works best for their style
and their client’s needs. Every illustrator has
excellent drawing skills so that they can
produce all kinds of images and designs.