Illustration is the visual interpretation or representation of text.Through painting, drawing, and other mediums, illustrators augment the content of newspapers, books, and magazines.Often these images are used to clarify the text as well as for entertainment.Illustrators also create images for packaging, greeting cards, stationary, calendars, book jackets, CD art, and textiles.

Illustrators often work in scientific capacities.Illustrators are hired to create scientific illustrations, for example medical illustrations of the human anatomy, and technical illustrations, for example diagrams found in manuals, are also forms of illustration.

Illustration can be considered its own distinct field.However, many graphic designers develop illustration skills in the course of their training.Illustrators are often considered specialized graphic artists.

There are many mediums where illustrations are used, but illustration is most often used in publishing, animation, advertising, movie credits, and video games.

The Study of Illustration

Art schools and art departments may include illustration under the umbrella of graphic design.However, many schools have separate Illustration degree programs.These programs provide students with instruction in illustration techniques for books, maps, fashion, and cartoons.Students are also trained in rendering, layout, and interpreting content.

Most Illustration degree programs emphasize technology.Though instruction in traditional methods is provided, computer software skills and experience with digital techniques are necessary to produce graduates who will be competitive in the field.

Medical and scientific illustrators usually require training in both illustration and science.Illustrations are often of complex scientific subjects such as molecular structures, planetary formations, and the human anatomy. A strong understanding of science is often necessary in order to create accurate renderings.

Illustration Careers

Illustrators often find employment creating visual art for children’s books, computer games, comic books, greeting cards, magazines, technical manuals, advertising materials, and animation.Medical Illustrators may find work for publishers of scientific magazines and textbooks, or creating teaching materials.Some medical and scientific illustrators also construct exhibits for court cases.Like graphic artists and others in the arts, many illustrators work as free lancers.