Working in the creative industries is one of the most rewarding jobs you can do, and it’s clear that there will always be high demand for professionals in these industries, as these roles often cannot be done through automation, which is now taking over the job market.
Those with a skill for drawing from their imaginations could choose the career path of becoming an illustrator. This role enables you to describe narratives through your artwork, which will typically be combined with a piece of text within books, on websites, and even in magazines to give audiences a clearer perspective of what they’re reading.
Take a look at this blog to gain an understanding of how you can start your career as an illustrator:
Get to grips with technology
Gone are the days when illustrators had the sole job of drawing an image and sending it over to a lithographer for preparation for mass publication. Nowadays, illustrators are expected to know how to scan their work on digital software for print publications, as there are very few lithographers remaining in the sector. If you’re unsure how to do this, there are seminars online that teach you the basics, or you could attend a graphic design workshop to expand your knowledge While this isn’t a compulsory skill for getting into the industry, it’s certainly an attractive attribute that could give you the edge on your resumé when applying for jobs.
Go to art school
While there’s not necessarily just one road to become an illustrator, going to art school would certainly be advantageous in advancing your career. Enrolling onto an online art school course will allow you to learn from some of the best professionals in the field; they will help you develop a professional portfolio that will stand you in good stead when attending interviews. This factor is especially important if you plan on becoming a freelance illustrator, as companies require some proof of your work to get an understanding of what you’re capable of before deciding to book you for a project.
Skills
Although illustrators are primarily expected to have a talent for drawing, there are many other skills that potential professionals will need to become successful in the industry. These include:
- Knowing where to gain inspiration
- Being able to work to strict deadlines
- Having a planned creative process
- Being a good communicator
- Awareness of color, shade, and pattern
- An understanding of the modern trends in illustration
Build a website
Most businesses now have a website to market their products and services to an online audience, so you may find it useful to create a website as a platform to showcase your illustrations to potential clients. In most cases, illustrators are hired on a freelance basis as clients browse search engines; therefore, in order to get noticed, you must consider the best SEO techniques to ensure your website is ranked highly on the likes of Google and Bing. From this platform, you can go on to share your work with audiences on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter to receive further recognition.
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