Illustration

Most illustration graduates go on to have a career as an artist, but this degree is also useful for roles across a range of media and visual communication platforms

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Animator
• Concept artist
• Graphic designer
• Illustrator
• Multimedia programmer
• Printmaker
• Production designer, theatre/television/film

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Advertising account executive
• Arts administrator
• Artworker
• Fashion designer
• Fine artist
• Higher education lecturer
• Special effects technician
• Textile designer
• VFX artist
• Web designer

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Completing a short placement in a graphic design or animation studio will help deepen your understanding of the skills required in the art and design field. You'll also gain an insight into the challenges and triumphs of the creative process.

As well as developing your creative skill set, try to improve your business skills. For example, creating and selling your own products demonstrates your entrepreneurial capability, as well as your ability to produce them.

You'll need a portfolio of work that evidences your skills, to present to potential employers. You can then add to this every time you complete more work experience.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

Graduates can work in many areas, particularly within the creative arts and design sector. Employers include advertising and marketing agencies, publishers, and graphic design, web design or animation companies.

Most illustrators are self-employed and generate their own work based on client needs. Paid vacancies are rarely advertised.

Potential clients include advertising agencies, design consultancies, publishers, print (newspapers and magazines) and events management companies. Other projects you may work on as a freelance illustrator include:

• film posters
• billboards
• greetings cards
• packaging
• fine art posters
• animated commercials, television shows, short films or government information services (including health and education materials).

Find information on employers in creative arts and design, marketing, advertising and PR, media and internet and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

An illustration degree allows you to develop a mix of subject-specific and technical skills, which can be used across many careers. They include:

• creativity for finding and nurturing your own artistic style while being flexible to new ideas and client needs
• the capacity to work independently, producing your own work and building your portfolio
• design skills and methods, including drawing and sketching, moving image and digital media
• IT skills using specific creative software
• entrepreneurial skills, developing commercial awareness and the ability to manage your own business, including knowing how to deal with tax, copyright and licences
• interpersonal skills, developed through collaboration with others
• effective networking and social media skills, essential for creating your brand and promoting yourself and your creative products.

Further study

Although there are only a few postgraduate courses in illustration, a Masters will be suitable for you if you're hoping to pursue a career in teaching at further education (FE) or higher education (HE) level.

Postgraduate courses that allow you to specialise in other areas, such as graphic design, marketing, animation or advertising, are available. For example, a Masters in design management can lead to roles in the Design Council or within the field of communication management.

Completing a postgraduate course shows employers you are committed to personal growth and gives you the opportunity to develop your portfolio and expand a network of contacts in the industry.

You can also undertake short courses to learn and develop IT skills related to your area of interest.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in illustration.

What do illustration graduates do?

15% of employed illustration graduates are working in artistic, literary and media occupations 15 months after graduation. With 12% working as web and multimedia design professionals and 2% working in design occupations.

Find out what other graduates are doing after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.