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Illustrators: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook

Submitted by: paula

Job Overview As early as the 8th century, the history of illustration can be traced back. This is how intelligent people had been to simplify concepts with the use of sketches and drawings. In the modern day, those who fulfill these kinds of duties are called illustrators. Their tasks are to prepare drawings for different purposes and in different industries. In education, they provide drawings of concepts in books. IN the marketing and advertising, they prepare drawings in newspapers, tarpaulins, packaging of goods and the like. There are special types of illustrators who concentrate on a certain field. Good examples are the medical illustrators and the fashion illustrators.

Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required

It is said that creative talent is always more important than educational attainment when it comes to this skilled job. However, the income at times are dependent on the educational credentials and some formal trainings obtained by the professionals. If you are interested in this career, take as many arts subject and computer subjects as early as high school. As for the post secondary training, preferred courses include commercial arts or fine arts.

Skills and Abilities

The most important skills needed are artistic skills and technical skills. A genuine interest in  visual arts and design is a prerequisite to sustain ones interest in this job.

Duties

The illustrators' basic duty is to create artwork for both educational or commercial and fine art purposes. They may use various types of media such as pencil, charcoals, pen and ink, paints such as watercolor, oil paints and acrylic paints, collages, airbrush, and computer graphic technology. These illustrations that they make are used for decorative purposes, as well as for learning purposes. These drawings may inform, catch attention, describe structures and processes in a more understandable form than the texts. Oftentimes, they work as part of the creative team. They work hand in hand with the photographers, the graphic designers and at times, with the calligraphers. The fastest growing specialities such as the fashion illustration and medical illustration are being supported by the company of scientists and fashion designers aside from the artist circle.

Earnings and Job Outlook

The range of salary for an illustrator starts off from 19,000 U.S. dollars to 41,000 U.S. dollars per annum. Others who are doing freelance work on the side and has already established a name in the industry may earn up to 79,000 U.S. dollars yearly and even up to infinity. The job outlook is said to move as fast as the average for the other professions as well.

Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.

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Word Count: 454 Date: Sat, 9 Apr 2011 Time: 9:42 AM


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