Illustrator and Graphic Designer

Education and Training: College plus training

Salary: Varies—see profile

Employment Outlook: Varies—see profile

Definition and Nature of the Work

Illustrators and graphic designers are both in the business of creating original art to decorate or to convey information. Illustrators draw pictures for books, magazines, and other print materials, including greeting cards and wrapping paper. Graphic designers use art to communicate a message to a certain audience.

Illustrators use light, shadows, and color to create two-dimensional pictures. Most illustrators specialize in a particular type of drawing. For instance, fashion illustrators work for fashion designers and draw sketches of clothing as it is beingdesigned. Technical illustrators draw diagrams that show how to maintain, repair, and use machines and appliances. They prepare their drawings from blueprints, photoprints, or mock-ups, which are scale models of designs and products. Medical illustrators utilize their knowledge of biology and anatomy to draw sketches of the human body and surgical procedures. Their works are used in medical publications to help make difficult concepts clearer. Scientific …