An illustrator is a visual artist specializing in explaining notions via visual representations. They aim to match the substance of the connected text or idea to show the bigger picture.
Illustrations in children's books are frequently used to elucidate complex topics or items that are difficult to express textually.
Therefore, it is the skill of producing graphics that interact with something and add to it without requiring direct attention or distracting from what they represent.
The textual idea is the center of attention, and the Illustrations must give it individuality and character without conflicts.
Advertisements, architectural renderings, posters, greeting cards, business, books, graphic novels, magazines, storyboards, technical communications, tees, video games, tutorials, and newspapers have employed illustrations. In addition, a cartoon graphic may lend levity to a story or an essay.
So if you want to work towards an illustration career, read on as we discuss where you can attain a degree in it:
How To Become An Illustrator
The sooner an illustrator learns to draw, the better their technical drawing abilities will be. Most illustrators have an associate's or bachelor's degree, while certain entry-level roles may be obtained with only a high school background and great drawing talents.
On the other hand, degree programs are aimed to hone an illustrator's design talents via activities such as sketching, painting, and graphic design.
Postsecondary education exposes students to various art forms and introduces them to the many design components. Moreover, these courses assist students in improving their technical abilities and their ability to think visually.
A two-year associate's degree in Illustration takes two years to finish, whereas a four-year bachelor's degree takes four years. In addition, potential core subjects may include:
- 2-D and 3-D graphics
- Drawing
- Color theory
- Printing
- Typography
- History
Anyone interested in becoming a medical illustrator may need to pursue undergraduate premedical studies as well as a graduate degree. A two-year master's degree in medical Illustration often includes classes in:
- Human anatomy
- Medical Illustration
- Surgical drawing
These illustrations need accuracy and precision, as well as a realistic aesthetic.
To display their finest work to potential clients, all illustrators should start establishing a portfolio early in their careers. Then, when companies look at professional portfolios, they scrutinize them to choose the most brilliant illustrators.
Portfolios can showcase the most significant works in various styles and materials, allowing employers to see the depth of an illustrator's expertise.
For example, if an illustrator is applying for a comic book illustrator position, they should highlight the work that best illustrates their knowledge in that field.
The majority of employers want three or four years of work experience. As a result, many programs provide internship opportunities for students to gain experience and become more marketable after graduation.
In addition, while still in school, students should start looking for freelancing work to build the foundations of their portfolios.
Why Choose an Illustration Degree?
Artists account for 13% of illustration graduates in employment, with graphic designers accounting for 12% and design vocations accounting for 3%.
Yes, you like the creative part to it, and let's be honest, most of it consists of that. However, there are several other reasons why you should opt for this degree, which include:
Be In High Demand
Learn to draw as a technical foundation and a fundamental communication and idea production method. The world is your oyster, from books and publications to ads, games, and package design.
If you learn all the tricks of the trade, you will be in high demand in the corporate world.
Make Your Career Your Own
You will be able to influence your career trajectory during your education. Depending on your unique preferences, you can specialize in anything from portrait, figure, nude, to experimental art and comics.
Make Your Own Decisions
In addition to a wide range of professional options after graduation, our methodology will prepare you to create your own business or freelance for agencies, museums, publishing companies, film or game productions, and so on.
Not to mention, a career in illustration also results in a reasonably competitive salary!
Tweak Your CV
A degree in Illustration allows you to build various subject-specific and technical abilities relevant to many other positions. Hence, you will be able to show:
- Creativity: Discovering your style while remaining open to new ideas and clients' demands
- Independence: Sketching and drawing, moving picture and digital media
- IT abilities: Include the use of specialized creative applications
- Entrepreneurship abilities: Your portfolio must consist of creative, inventive, and commercial interpersonal abilities
- Digital savvy: The use of social media to brand and market yourself and your creative goods
- Business management capability: understanding of tax, copyright, and licenses
Universities In The USA For Illustrators
With countless options, one tends to get confused. If you have a passion for illustration and are looking for universities to pursue your higher education in it, here are a few best schools for Illustration you should consider:
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Rhode Island School of Design is among America's first art and design schools. Founded in 1877, this institute has around 2500 students all over the US and 57 other states. RISD has 19 majors leading to bachelor's or master's degrees in:
- Architecture
- Fine Arts
- Art Education or Design.
Meanwhile, the most popular courses are:
- Illustration
- Film/Animation/Video
- Graphic Design
- Painting
- Industrial Design
Illustration Department offers BFA in Illustration, the largest major in RISD. According to the school, there are almost 300 undergraduate pupils "with diverse skills and interests."
The course highlights consist of a full roster of visiting art directors, artists, professionals all across the state who offer feedback through annual portfolio reviews.
Furthermore, it also provides access to printmaking studios, computer resources, software like InDesign, AfterEffects, and Maya. Finally, it also gives rights to the ISB Gallery, where a mix of curriculum or student-related exhibitions are hosted throughout the academic year.
(FIT) Fashion Institute Of Technology (FIT) in New York
FIT alumni lead great jobs with successful careers at corporations, advertising agencies, entertainment companies like:
- Warner Brothers
- Walt Disney
- Harper's Bazaar
- Vogue
Hence, you can see that you will have access to many illustration job opportunities with a degree from this institute.
FIT is affiliated with the State University of New York system. This institute was founded in 1944, and its undergraduate, and graduate programs have served approximately 8850 pupils.
Courses are offered through the Business, Business, and Technology & Liberal Arts in Art, Design, and Communications. Serving around 3322 pupils, the School of Art & Design houses the Illustration, which propositions MFA, BFA, and AAS illustration programs.
A close relationship with the Society of Illustrators — one of the industry's leading professional institute — is one of the department's highlights, as are 50 prize wins by pupils in exceedingly competitive student art displays.
Furthermore, they boast the renowned Society of Illustrators Annual Scholarship Competition and mentoring by illustrators or art directors who examine students' work and give professional support and advice.
Illustration students can also obtain a universal outlook on the worldwide realm of illustration by taking a semester abroad in Italy.
Among the program's highlights, there are:
- Written word coloring illustration
- Book illustration
- Illustration of comic book
- Illustration of science fiction and fantasy
- Male figure illustration
- Written word illustration
- Rendering techniques of illustration
- Stylistic illustration
- Illustrations and watercolor camps
ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, California
This institute was established over 90 years ago and serves roughly 2300 students from several different countries. The university offers over ten undergraduate and half a dozen graduate degree programs in various disciplines, including:
- Applied Arts
- Visual arts
- Industrial Design
And as far as their illustration courses go, the faculty focuses on teaching creativity and corporate discipline to the students. As a result, illustration graduates from ArtCenter boast their own design language – one that is relevant to the ever-evolving business world.
Classes in this degree program are taught by celebrity guest-lecturers, industry-leading illustrators, and award-winning designers. Consequently, you will come away feeling better placed to start your career in the field.
Moreover, illustration Design, Illustration/Fine Art, Entertainment Arts, Motion Design, and Surface Design are among the five major areas of emphasis available to program students.
There is also a design matters minor. The program progresses from fundamental abilities like:
- Figure drawing
- Painting and perspective
Pratt Institute In Brooklyn, New York
Pratt Institute, originated in 1887, has over 4,800 pupils registered in about 25 undergraduate degree programs and specialties and over 26 graduate degree programs in the institutes of:
- Architecture
- Art
- Design
- Information
- Liberal Arts and Sciences
The school of design and art includes programs for budding illustrators. Meanwhile, the Institution of creation, which opened in 2014, provides four of Pratt's most famous specialties:
- Fashion Design
- Communications Design
- Industrial Design
- Interior Design
And those who are already in an illustration career can pursue:
- Communications Design BFA along with an illustration Emphasis
- Degrees in AAS and AOS illustration
- An AAS in Illustration/Graphic in the School of Art
Students who choose an illustration-emphasis BFA must complete multiple upper-level studio classes. These help them examine subjects pertinent to image-based communication, including advanced narrative, authorship, and socio-political commentary.
Furthermore, classes promote experimentation with various tools, platforms, and methodologies during the major.
Ready To Enroll?
Universities offer different programs, and you can join the ones that fit your requirements best. However, if you want some guidance and want to practice Illustration independently, Superprof instructors are here to help you.
You learn all the basics of Illustration and get on to the advanced level with our tutors' help.
So if you want to work towards a career in Illustration by getting into a top university, you need to get help from one of the best tutors in your area. And Superprof is the best place for this!
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