An illustrator must use creativity and personal technical skills to paint and draw ideas? sensations, feelings, emotions, and facts they intend to communicate. Whether or not working to commercial briefs set out for them by the client, with a view to informing or persuading a client's intended audience, skilled illustrators are able to adjust the mood or style of images as required.
Although fixed employment is possible, work is predominantly freelance, with possible markets including magazines, newspapers, comics, posters, storyboards, forecasting, greetings cards, t-shirts, ceramics, brochures, catalogues, video games, websites and animation, among others. These media cover fields such as advertising, fashion, merchandising, corporate work, and multimedia.
Typical work activities involve liaising with clients, editors or authors so that a firm understanding of their needs is gained in addition to learning which styles are appropriate. A strong business acumen is required to negotiate pricing and must be matched with faultless time management so that projects are finished when promised.
A median salary for an illustrator in Canada is around C
$30,000, with the best pay on offer in Vancouver and British Columbia.