How much does an illustrator earn? What does it do, salary and duties

You illustrators are hired to create designs and images to communicate a story, message or idea, which are then used in advertisements, books, magazines, packaging, cards and newspapers.

You'll work on business briefings to inform, persuade or entertain a client's target audience, adjusting the mood and style of the images.

Typically this professional will specialize in a specific design medium such as drawing, photography or digital illustration.

Areas of work for an Illustrator include:

• advertising – advertising from posters, storyboards, press
• publishing – books
• corporate work – brochures, catalogs
• editorial – magazines, newspapers and comic books
• fashion – forecast
• merchandising – greeting cards, calendars, t-shirts, pottery, etc.
• multimedia – TV, cinema, computer games, websites, apps, animation.

Specialized areas include scientific, technical, and medical illustration. In these fields, illustrations are created that show new products, processes or techniques for texts and reference books.

What does an Illustrator do?

Work activities typically involve:

• interact with customers, publishers and authors to understand and interpret their business needs
• gain knowledge about appropriate styles
• negotiate prices and terms
• think imaginatively and creatively to produce new ideas
• create images and drawings using traditional hand drawing and painting skills, along with other techniques, to meet design briefs
• use computer-aided design (CAD) packages to scan images and change size, colors, and other elements
• work within a set deadline, often tight
• create original pieces for self-promotion

How Much Does an Illustrator Earn – Salary

Most illustrators work on a freelancer, so salary figures are difficult to estimate. Prices vary greatly depending on the customer.

You can find rates for magazines, newspapers, book covers and PR material. According to the LoveMondays site, the average salary of an Illustrator in Brazil is BRL 2,883.

Freelance work, usually paid for illustration, tends to be more lucrative than working for an employer.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Related Contents:

• When You Win a Graphic Design
• When an Advertiser Wins