<p>I plan to study Illustration. I will admit that when I am asked, “What kind of illustrator do you want to be?”, I do not know what to say. I heard one could go into print, gallery, entertainment, concept art, layout, and/or story boarding—but in the end, what kinds of Illustration-type work are available? What are a prospective illustrator’s options (fields, industries) for employment? </p>
<p>I want to do book covers, children’s books, and/or editorial illustration, (specifically e.g. Kazu Kibuishi’s Flight, Lisbeth Zwerger) but as of yet, other than gallery type of work, I have not had a broad experience. Must I be preparing myself for a specific industry? I guess I really need to ask: What would you suggest I do to help myself (though I feel that art school will automatically help me with this)? Should I simply work my ass off with my art and see where IT takes me?</p>
<p>(pardon that last expression)</p>
<p>I would like to know what are the different industries into which an illustrator may enter. </p>
<p>On CC, I read many concerns about finding the right schools for Illustration majors. But what may an illustrator /do/ after graduation? What has your Illustration major (S or D) done with their BFA education?</p>
<p>since no one else is answering
I majored illustration ages ago and now make stuffed bears. when they need real illustration, they’d hire illustrator. when it is not that big-o-deal and low budget, I get to do illustration for tags and boxes.
look at Communication Arts illustration annual. that would give you some idea and more confusion “what” is illustration?
you should be able to draw good with your hand, more than anything.
and have to know software nowadays.
indesign, illustrator, photoshop few more I don’t really know but you should.
going to artschools do help. If you want paying job, try Artcenter.
Parsons SVA are OK, I guess, location is better but more competition of course.
sometimes it’s all about who you know and how you sell yourself.
there are many jobs that really not that hi-end (like us? nooooo) fast/cheap/ flexible/ no whining - illustrator is more in demand than those with “creative voice” that can’t budge because s/he is so mighty creative.
It is a job. you do as you are told, or won’t get paid.</p>
<p>I think Bears is offering some very good advice here. A lot of schools assign illustration projects but not in the way it would happen in the real world. In the real world a client will come to you, or the company you work for, with a certain “look” in mind and will want something that fits into their idea of what they want. Once in awhile you might get a client that will hire you to do something more freeform. But remember that all advertising is about having clients and pleasing a client with your art skills. I think all illustrators should take a lot of psych and sociology classes…and maybe some legal classes for when the client doesn’t pay. Again same advice I gave an architecture student today, go intern somewhere at an advertising agency, with an illustrator, see what the actual work is really like. Some people absolutely thrive within the demands of the field, some find it stiffles their “creativity.” And some, as one friend of mine has, can actually find a little niche where they are the colorful creative guy who people know might give them something a little different but clients are drawn to him because of his appearance and demeanor of “artist.” He found the year he wore suits his business went down! But intern intern intern, I would think that a lot of businesses are open to interns right now with the economy the way it is. You’ll just be doing errand small types of things but it’s a chance to be right in there, keep your eyes and ears open, ask questions of people working there and see how you think it would fit you.</p>
<p>wear comfortable shoes, bundle your hair if you got them long and falling in your face.
and don’t roll your eyes when asked to do starbucks run.</p>
<p>Thank you thanks but</p>
<p>Naaah, I am practically feeling the pang of that “stifled creativity”. Would any of you think that one of the appeals of Art Center is that it forces its students to draw with excellent draftsmanship (realism), faster while maintaining a kind of style, and not right away into contemporary style of illustration (which I often associate with SVA and CCA)? </p>
<p>It seems that if any artist wants to fit into their idealized niche, luck is critical, or else they need to pretend to be a businessperson.</p>
<p>Take this from an artist of ahem…years…
Whether you’re talking illustration or graphics or fine art gallery scene and you want to survive as an artist you’d best not pretend to be a businessperson, you’d best be a businessperson.</p>