Crafting a Profession in the Realm of Illustrative Art
In the ever-changing world of art, the landscape for fine artists, illustrators, and graphic designers has undergone significant transformations over the past few years. This shift, particularly in the realm of graphic design, has been marked by sustained but modest growth, increased opportunities for remote work, and a growing emphasis on digital skills.
Hiring trends suggest a steady but slower-than-average growth of about 3% in graphic design employment through 2031. Employers from various sectors, including marketing, media, publishing, manufacturing, healthcare, and education, are regularly recruiting graphic designers and illustrators. The increasing prevalence of flexible and remote work options reflects broader changes in the workforce, while freelance roles and platform-based work, such as Fiverr, Upwork, and Etsy, have expanded, enabling artists to reach global clients and earn internationally.
The digital revolution has brought about a significant shift in the required software and technical skills. Beyond classic tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, employers and clients now expect proficiency in digital painting, 3D sculpting, animation, web design, social media content creation software, and emerging immersive technologies like VR and AR. Knowledge of SEO, social media management, and digital marketing also enhances employability.
As the market continues to evolve, the demand for artists who combine creativity with digital technical skills and networking capabilities is on the rise. Traditional employers range from design agencies and corporations to education institutions and healthcare companies, with jobs recently posted showing demand for graphic designers in marketing agencies, education offices, social media roles within healthcare, and freelance creative director positions.
For those seeking employment, it's crucial to maintain a strong digital presence. A digital portfolio, easily sent or printed, is recommended, while platforms like Behance, Instagram, and ArtStation can help build a personal brand and global exposure. A professional website is essential for showcasing an artist's work, and a bound, professionally typeset version of an artist's work can be an asset in certain interviews, such as academic positions.
In the competitive global market, a willingness to learn and improve, coupled with a sense of humour, is key in the workplace. Entry-level artists should have a strong working knowledge and portfolio with the popular programs, Photoshop and Illustrator. For animation, artists may need to know Photoshop, Maya, Adobe Illustrator, ToonBoom, Adobe Animate, and AfterEffects, in addition to understanding typography, creating visual hierarchies, and using colour to convey meaning.
Every cover letter and resume should be customized for each potential employer, and researching best practices for cover letters, resumes, and portfolios on the internet is advised. A degree is essential for government and educational positions in art and illustration. Becoming competent and confident as quickly as possible once a job is landed is important, and having one's cover letters and resumes reviewed by an authority on the subject can provide valuable feedback.
Finally, the traditional gallery approach to fine art has shifted, with artists selling their work directly to customers. Illustrators are finding work producing educational materials and conceptual art for gaming, while many artists are using online fine art print services to maximize their images. The Advisory Board at our institution, comprising design industry educators and hiring managers, conducts annual assessments and reviews to ensure programs adapt to market changes.
In this rapidly evolving industry, artists who continually upgrade their digital skills, adapt to new media formats, and cultivate an online presence will be best positioned to thrive in the future.
- To thrive in their careers, artists and graphic designers must focus on both education-and-self-development and career-development, upgrading their digital skills, adapting to new media formats, and cultivating an online presence.
- As the demand for graphic designers continues to grow across various sectors, including marketing, education, healthcare, and more, individuals should invest in learning emerging immersive technologies like VR and AR, along with SEO, social media management, and digital marketing to increase their employability.
