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Artists > Illustrator
Creative and media
Illustrators produce drawings, paintings or diagrams for use in products like books and greetings cards, or on packaging.
You'll need a higher national diploma or degree in illustration or a related subject like fine art or graphic design. You'll usually need between 1 and 3 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree.
You'll also need a portfolio of your work to show prospective clients or for entry onto courses. Building a website or starting a blog where you can showcase your work is one way to get noticed. Having a presence on social media sites like Instagram is a great way of connecting with the public and potential customers.
If you work as a freelance illustrator you may decide to sell your work through an agent, who could put you in touch with more buyers. An agent will take a percentage of your sales as commission. The Society of Artists Agents has details of agents as well as examples of artists' work.
You'll need:
Day-to-day you may:
With experience and graphic design skills you could work for a design agency, publishing company or magazine. You could also move into specialist work, for example architectural or archaeological illustration.
Costume designers are responsible for the overall look of the clothes and costumes in theatre, film or television productions.
Art valuers give advice on how much a piece of art or a collection of art is worth.
Prop makers create objects for use in films, TV programmes and the theatre.
Retail merchandisers make sure that goods are in the right stores, or online, at the right time and the right price.
Blacksmiths work with different metals to make and repair decorative, industrial and everyday items.
Franchise owners are self-employed people who've bought a licence to operate a business under an established company's brand.
Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!
There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction, or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!
As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday, and sick pay.
Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!
There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job – whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables, or building engines!
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