Illustration careers open up a world of opportunities for creative professionals who want to turn their artistic talents into a fulfilling livelihood. Whether you dream of illustrating children’s books, designing characters for video games, or creating detailed visuals for medical textbooks, there are countless ways to carve out a successful career in this diverse field.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through 21 different illustration careers, offering insights into each role, the skills required, and how you can get started. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or considering a career shift, this comprehensive guide will help you find your niche in the world of illustration.
Why Explore Illustration Careers?
When I first started out as an illustrator, I didn’t realize how many opportunities existed in the field.
I assumed the main jobs were in children’s books or animation. But over time, I discovered that illustrators are needed in nearly every industry, from advertising and publishing to science and law.
Exploring different career options is essential for finding the right fit for your unique skills and interests. The flexibility of this field means you can specialize in what you love most while building a career that aligns with your lifestyle. Whether you prefer freelance independence or the stability of in-house work, there’s a path for you.
21 Illustration Careers to Consider
1. Editorial Illustrator
Editorial illustrators create visuals for magazines, newspapers, and online publications. Learn more about setting up a strong portfolio and securing clients in the industry through this illustration business guide. Their artwork complements articles, op-eds, and other written content, helping to convey complex ideas or evoke emotions. This fast-paced career is ideal for artists who enjoy tackling diverse topics and working on tight deadlines.
How to Start: Build a portfolio of sample illustrations for imagined or existing articles. Focus on creating artwork that visually explains abstract concepts or enhances storytelling. Networking with art directors at publications can open doors to freelance assignments.
2. Children's Book Illustrator
Children’s book illustrators bring stories to life with engaging and imaginative visuals. This role involves working closely with authors and publishers to develop characters and settings that resonate with young readers. The field is competitive but deeply rewarding for artists who love storytelling.
Pro Tip: A strong portfolio showcasing narrative art, especially character development and expressive illustrations, is essential. Consider collaborating with self-published authors or creating your own storybook to gain experience.
3. Concept Artist
Concept artists design the initial look and feel of creative projects such as video games, movies, and animated series. They create characters, environments, props, and visual themes that serve as the foundation for production teams. This role offers immense creative freedom but requires adaptability and strong design fundamentals.
What to Know: Practice quick sketches and iterating on ideas, as concept art often involves revising work based on feedback. Mastering digital tools like Photoshop and Procreate is also crucial for this career.
4. Character Designer
Character designers focus on creating the personalities and visual appearances of characters for animated films, TV shows, and video games. Their work extends beyond drawing to consider how characters move, express emotions, and interact with their environments.
Pro Tip: Consistency in design is key. Practice creating character turnarounds (front, side, and back views) and expression sheets to showcase your ability to bring characters to life.
5. Storyboard Artist
Storyboard artists map out the visual sequence of scenes for films, commercials, or animated projects. Their work serves as a blueprint, outlining camera angles, character movements, and the flow of the story. This role is perfect for artists who excel at storytelling and visual communication.
Tip: Speed and clarity are critical skills for storyboard artists. Practice sketching quickly to convey ideas effectively without focusing on perfection.
6. Advertising Illustrator
Advertising illustrators create compelling visuals for marketing campaigns, ranging from print ads to digital media. Their artwork captures attention and communicates messages effectively, making it an integral part of branding and promotion.
How to Start: Build a portfolio with bold, impactful designs that showcase your ability to capture a brand’s voice. Collaborate with advertising agencies or directly with brands to gain experience.
7. Comic Artist
Comic artists combine illustration and storytelling to create comic strips, graphic novels, and webcomics. This career involves designing characters, plotting storylines, and laying out panels in a way that guides readers through the narrative.
Pro Tip: Work on personal projects or collaborations to build your portfolio. Demonstrating completed comic pages shows your ability to tell a cohesive visual story.
8. Medical Illustrator
Medical illustrators specialize in creating accurate and detailed visuals for healthcare and scientific communities. If you're exploring niche art markets, check out this guide on how to license artwork. Their work includes illustrations for textbooks, research papers, and patient education materials. This career blends artistic skills with scientific knowledge.
What to Know: A background in anatomy and biology is often required. Some medical illustrators pursue certification through the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI).
9. Courtroom Illustrator
Courtroom illustrators capture key moments during legal proceedings through sketches. Their work is especially important in high-profile cases where cameras are not allowed. This career requires speed, accuracy, and discretion.
Tip: Practice sketching people in action to improve your ability to quickly capture likenesses and expressions in dynamic settings.
10. Technical Illustrator
Technical illustrators create precise diagrams and schematics for industries such as engineering, manufacturing, and technology. Licensing technical artwork? Explore tips for building an art licensing portfolio. Their work helps communicate complex information clearly and accurately.
How to Start: Develop proficiency in tools like Adobe Illustrator or CAD software. A clean and precise drawing style is essential for this field.
11. Scientific Illustrator
Scientific illustrators create visuals that explain scientific concepts for research papers, textbooks, and museums. Their work often involves illustrating plants, animals, and natural processes with meticulous detail.
Pro Tip: Study botany, zoology, or other scientific fields to gain the knowledge needed for accurate representations. Consider specializing in a niche like wildlife or marine life illustration.
12. Natural History Illustrator
Natural history illustrators focus on documenting flora, fauna, and ecosystems for museums, field guides, or research publications. This career combines artistic skill with a love of nature and science.
What to Know: Field sketching and strong observational drawing skills are essential. A background in biology or environmental science can also be helpful.
13. Fashion Illustrator
Fashion illustrators create drawings of clothing, accessories, and designs for magazines, designers, or brands. Their work captures the essence of a collection and communicates it visually to clients or audiences.
How to Start: Develop a portfolio that highlights your ability to depict fabric textures, movement, and style. Attending fashion shows or working with designers can provide valuable experience.
14. Book Cover Illustrator
Book cover illustrators design covers that capture the essence of a story and entice readers to pick up the book. This career requires creativity and an understanding of visual marketing.
Tip: Showcase your ability to combine typography and illustration effectively in your portfolio. Work with self-published authors or publishers to build experience.
15. Greeting Card Illustrator
Greeting card illustrators design artwork for occasions such as birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. Their work blends humor, emotion, and creativity to connect with audiences.
Pro Tip: Freelancing is common in this field, so building relationships with card companies or self-publishing online can help you succeed. Protect your rights and projects with a solid illustration contract.
16. Packaging Illustrator
Packaging illustrators create artwork for product packaging, helping brands stand out on shelves. Their designs often tell the story of the product and appeal to the target audience.
What to Know: Study branding and marketing to understand how illustrations can influence consumer behavior. Focus on creating designs that are both visually striking and functional.
17. Architectural Illustrator
Architectural illustrators produce detailed drawings of buildings and spaces, often for real estate, urban planning, or interior design projects. Their work helps clients visualize projects before construction begins.
How to Start: Learn perspective drawing and software like SketchUp or Revit. Including 3D renderings in your portfolio can set you apart.
18. Educational Illustrator
Educational illustrators create visuals for textbooks, e-learning platforms, and educational apps. Their work simplifies complex ideas and makes learning engaging for all ages.
Pro Tip: Focus on clarity and visual storytelling. Your illustrations should be both informative and captivating to learners.
19. Animation Illustrator
Animation illustrators develop visual assets for animated films, TV shows, and commercials. Their work often involves creating backgrounds, props, and effects that bring the animated world to life.
What to Know: Strong skills in perspective, lighting, and color theory are essential. Familiarize yourself with animation software like Toon Boom or After Effects to stay competitive.
20. Tattoo Designer
Tattoo designers create custom artwork for tattoos, blending their artistic vision with a client’s personal story. This career requires a deep understanding of design principles and how artwork translates to skin.
Pro Tip: Focus on creating bold, versatile designs that work well on different body shapes and placements. Consistency in your artistic style can help you build a loyal following.
21. Freelance Illustrator
Freelance illustrators offer their services across various industries, from publishing to advertising. Setting competitive rates is crucial, and this freelance illustration pricing guide can help you price your work effectively. They enjoy the freedom to choose projects and set their own schedules, but this path requires strong business and time management skills.
Tip: Build a professional website or online portfolio to showcase your work. Platforms like Instagram, Behance, or LinkedIn can also help you connect with clients. Additionally, invest time in learning how to price your work and negotiate contracts effectively.
How to Choose the Right Illustration Career
Choosing the right illustration career depends on your skills, interests, and long-term goals.
While some illustrators have formal degrees, it’s not a requirement to succeed. A strong, well-crafted portfolio showcasing your unique style and skills can open doors to many illustration jobs, proving that talent and persistence often matter more than a diploma.
For more insights on growing your career, visit this comprehensive illustration business guide. If you love storytelling, roles like children’s book illustrator or comic artist might be ideal. If you’re detail-oriented and enjoy blending art with science, medical or scientific illustration could be a great fit.
Take the time to explore your options and experiment with different styles. Build a strong portfolio that highlights your strengths and aligns with your desired career path.