Illustration

Graphic designers who are passionate about drawing and painting can find a balance between fine art and graphic design by specialising in illustration.

Long before print and digital technology the drawn image was used for communication, enabling mankind to record and describe the complexities of everyday life. Today’s illustrators have computers with advanced programs like Adobe’s Illustrator and Photoshop to assist them when creating visual representations that graphically translate information to a visually aware consumer.

Illustrators of today make images for print, screen and even galleries.  From book jackets to cd covers and magazines, the creative possibilities are endless.  Over the past few years, even art directors have become keener to find individual and dynamic artistic illustrators for advertising campaigns.  This has helped increase the volume of illustration work and thus enabled more designers to venture into illustration.

Illustrator styles vary from decorative swirls and repetitive vector patterns to 3D graphic masterpieces. Some prefer flat line art whilst others enjoy exploring various collage styles. In whatever style you pursue as an illustrator, if your work has strong ideas and is well-executed, you can enjoy a richly satisfying occupation whilst making a lasting impression.

But if illustration is not for you, have you thought about advertising or… Next up –

Aspects of Graphic Design: Logo Design