Illustrator

You would draw the pictures or diagrams used in products like adverts, book covers, greeting cards and product instructions.

Your drawings, paintings or diagrams will help to make products more attractive or easier to understand. You could illustrate all sorts of products including:

• Books

• Book jackets

• Greetings cards

• Advertisements

• Packaging

• Detailed technical diagrams

Your customer would describe their requirements –called a brief – and you would produce the illustrations. You’d need to use your imagination but also make sure that you meet the brief.

You would:

• Discuss the brief with authors, editors or designers

• Negotiate costs and timescales

• Decide on the right style for illustrations

• Draw or paint the illustrations by hand or using computer design software

• Speak with the customer and change the designs if necessary

• Make sure the work is completed within set budgets and deadlines

You may be able to specialise in one type of illustration. For example, in heritage illustration you’d design pictures for guidebooks, leaflets or maps for stately homes and castles.

If you work in educational illustration you could design websites, leaflets and publications for an academic institution.

Other illustrators create archaeological illustrations and children's books.

If you are self-employed, you’d also have to market your goods and services, deal with your business finances and promote your business.

• Creative Scotland - enabling people to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland

• Creative Skillset – explore the roles in the creative industries and routes into work

• Creative Choices - Help and advice for a career in the creative industry from Creative and Cultural Skills

• Association of Illustrators - Protects members rights and promotes professional standards

• a-n The Artist Information Company - Member organisation that supports visual arts and campaigns for artists