Fashion illustrators create drawings, sketches, and other forms of art to create concepts which have not yet been realized. They can work in a wide range of environments, including fashion houses, design studios, and as freelancers.
Fashion illustrators have a diverse line of work. They are there to bring a fashion designer’s ideas to life, developing concepts for designers. Fashion illustrators can also develop patterns which can be used in the production of garments on the production line.
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a fashion illustrator, read on to hear all about this job role and tips for becoming a professional fashion illustrator.
Whether sketching ideas for a new line of clothing, drawing for a magazine’s fashion spread, or developing fashion ads, a fashion illustrator must clearly communicate fashion concepts through art.
Fashion artists are typically hired to draw the human figure in illustrations associated with fashion. They are expected to apply different illustration techniques to express fashion concepts in detail, including colors and fabrics.
Most fashion illustrators work closely with fashion designers and art directors to create creative visual images used for print ads, television commercials, and online ads. It is a diverse career with plenty of opportunity to veer in different directions.
Typical duties of a fashion illustrator include:
In order to succeed as a fashion illustrator, you will need to possess the following skills:
If you’re keen on becoming a fashion illustrator, you’re probably interested in knowing what kind of salary they make.
Starting salaries for fashion illustrators are in the region of £18,000 to £23,000. As an experienced fashion illustrator, you may earn between £20,000 and £30,000 per year. Highly experienced, established illustrators may earn £35,000 or more.
It all depends on location, employer, and the level of expertise and experience you have.
Would you like to become a fashion illustrator? If you love drawing and fashion, blend your two passions and turn it into a full-time career. Here are some tips for getting a job as a fashion illustrator.
#1: Hone Your Skills
Aspiring fashion illustrators looking to enhance their career prospects should consider earning a degree in a field such as fashion design, graphic design and illustration. It is not essential in order to succeed in this line of work, but it will help to develop your artistic skills – and looks great on your CV!
If you can’t get a degree, practice sketching as much as possible and perfect your design techniques. The more practice, the better. Since your job title includes the word “illustrator,” it’s crucial that you have strong drawing skills.
#2: Demonstrate Your Abilities in a Portfolio
Potential employers such as art directors, fashion magazines, and designers evaluate prospective illustrators on their work in a portfolio. Thus, it is essential that you compile an impressive portfolio to show off your skills. You can create a professional portfolio by gathering experiences such as apprenticeships and internship programs. Your portfolio says it all, so make sure it stands out above the competition.
Having a standout portfolio can be the difference between incredible work opportunities and mediocre ones. Even if you have to offer your services for free or for a very low fee in the beginning, get enough outstanding material to make your portfolio sparkle.
#3: Gain Work Experience
Fashion illustrators need to boost their skills over time in professional settings if they want to gain recognition and increase their job opportunities and security. Even if that means starting at the bottom (which pretty much everyone in every field does!), it’ll be invaluable to climbing the career ladder.
Fashion illustrators can develop their portfolios while gaining experience to advance their careers.
On average, it takes approximately five to six years before illustrators become established in the industry.
#4: Make Contacts!
Editors of fashion magazines, fashion designers…anyone in the fashion industry is useful as a contact if you want to succeed as a fashion illustrator. You can easily make connections via social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram, or through in-person networking events.
Always remain friendly and professional to show that you’re serious about the work you do, and that you can be trusted as an employee.
By making valuable connections, you’ll not only be able to expand your skills as an illustrator, but potentially gain prospective clients.
Fashion illustrators have a creative and diverse job role. If you’re interested in becoming a fashion illustrator, it’s important that you develop your skills as an artist as well as a communicator. The best fashion illustrators are those with a strong sense of color, shape, and image dynamics. They’ll also need to stay on top of market trends and be able to predict emerging trends in the industry.
Most importantly, you will need to be patient and persistent. Since it’s a highly competitive job role, you’ll need to work extra hard and perfect your skills in order to land a job as a fashion illustrator.
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