Illustration

What is illustration?

Illustration is the graphic representation of an idea, concept, or story.

What should I look for in an online illustration school?

The best online illustration schools should possess either regional or national accreditation from an accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

In addition, you can often recognize top online illustration schools based on:

• The school’s name and status
• The school’s history
• Teacher credentials
• Alumni network

In choosing the best online illustration school for you, you should consider the following factors:

• Admission requirements
• Residency requirements
• Class and teaching style
• Testing methods used
• Course content and presentation
• Program length
• Class size
• Student-teacher interaction
• Technology use
• Tuition and financial aid
• Transferability of credits
• Availability of a dedicated administration team and resources

What levels of online illustration programs are available?

The following levels of illustration degree online programs are available:

• Online Illustration Certificate Programs
• Online Associates in Illustration
• Online Bachelor in Illustration
• Online Masters in Illustration
• Online PhD in Illustration

How long does it take to get an online illustration degree?

The amount of time it takes a student to earn an accredited online illustration degree depends on the level of illustration degree being pursued and the pace of the student.

Typically, the breakdown is as follows:

• Online Illustration Certification Programs – 6 months to 1 year
• Online Illustration Associates Degree – 2 years
• Online Illustration Bachelor Degree – 4 years
• Online Illustration Masters – 2 years
• Online Illustration PhD – 2 to 5 years

What are some examples of online illustration courses?

Illustrators use a variety of materials and methods to create their art, which may be specialized for specific industries. Training in illustration involves many different types of courses, including:

• Drawing and Design for Illustrators
  This course extends drawing and design skills by teaching image-making with an emphasis on shape, edge, value, color, and communication. Assignments, lectures, and demonstrations elaborate on commonly employed illustrative components such as observation, perspective, light and shadow, construction of form, space interpretation, texture, and style.
• Illustration Materials and Techniques
  In this course, students explore and practice with mixed media on created surfaces. Various media, including acrylics, oils, watercolor, and gouache, are combined with other materials, such as pastel, colored pencil, and charcoal.
• Digital Illustration
  Students use industry standard software to enhance traditional work and acquire important knowledge in the digital domain. Idea development within real-world parameters, originality, aesthetics, and technical proficiency are emphasized.
• Scientific Illustration
  This course introduces students to the process of careful study and analysis of natural forms, systematic record keeping of field and studio studies, and the application of these studies in the development of formal illustrations.
• Children’s Book Illustration
  This course introduces children's book illustration, with an emphasis on creating a professional package that may be sent to publishers. Students are introduced to the world of traditional and modern children's book illustration through lectures, demonstrations, and analyses of several nationally and internationally successful books.

What areas of illustration specialization are available?

Illustration specializations vary depending on the field in which the illustrator intends to work, and the media they intend to use. Common illustration concentrations include:

• Editorial Illustration
• Advertising Illustration
• Medical Illustration
• Scientific Illustration
• Children’s Book Illustration
• Book Illustration
• Food Illustration
• Digital Illustration
• Humor/Caricature Illustration

What can I do with an illustration degree?

A competitive industry, illustration requires a strong art background, as well as an understanding of the field in which the illustrator is working. Common areas in which illustration degrees are useful include:

• Children Book Writer/Illustrator
• Cartoonist
• Food Designer
• Graphic Designer
• Newspaper Illustrator
• Medical Journal Illustrator
• Advertising Artist

What is an illustrator?

Illustrators work with a variety of media to create one-of-a-kind artwork that represents a concept or story. They may work with magazines, book editors, the scientific community, or writers to craft their work.

What does an illustrator do?

An illustrator plans and executes art for a particular purpose. A natural world illustrator may draw detailed pictures of plants found in a particular area of a forest. A children’s book illustrator designs visual characters and settings, following the writer’s storyline. Medical illustrators draw accurate pictures of procedures or body parts, while book illustrators may design book covers and inside flaps. Illustrators may use traditional art supplies, including pencils, acrylics and watercolors, or more advanced tools including computer technology.

How much does an illustrator earn?

Illustrators are often self-employed, and their earnings vary widely. The average annual earnings for a salaried illustrator are $42,650. Job growth is expected at an average rate. Illustration is a highly competitive field, and the number of candidates interested in illustration and other artistic work will continue to exceed the number of available positions.

How do I become an illustrator?

Students interested in how to become an illustrator must consider professional training to supplement their natural artistic aptitude. Illustration combines strong artistic senses with the ability to follow directions, create visions from the written word, and communicate effectively through art. An online illustration degree program provides basic and advanced illustration techniques, and future illustrators will benefit greatly from extensive practice. Drawing, sketching and sculpting skills add to an illustrators’ value in the field.