

With the ability to transcend beyond the barriers of language, illustration is a powerful tool that allows stories to be told through visual engagement. Read Moreįrom ancient civilizations until today, societies have used illustrations to communicate important ideas. Since an illustrator is an artist, they will also have their own style and should focus on projects that match that aesthetic - essentially their illustrative style becomes their area of specialty. The illustrations also need to be captivating and able to both hold someone’s attention and draw them in. For example, think of the stylistic differences that would be needed for illustrations of a hair product advertisement over a funny birthday card or a courtroom illustration on a high-profile case. The illustrations need to be on brand for the project that is being worked on, meaning it is important that the images need to match the style of what is being conveyed. It is about engaging audiences through visuals, whether that is through drawings, paintings, or using different digital tools. The basis of what it means to be an illustrator is to communicate ideas through the use of images. In this role, you are constantly creating art that can transcend the barriers of language. If you have a deep passion for art and love drawing, an illustrator may be the perfect role for you. Illustrators specialize in using their creative skills and ability to create both art and design to develop these creative images. For example, illustrators are used for essentially all children’s books and also play a vital role in the creation of the editorial cartoons in newspapers. An illustrator’s role is to enhance whatever is being communicated or to simplify an idea. Illustrators can be used to add humor to a piece of writing or they could be used as clarification to something that is difficult to explain via a text only format. They can also be referred to as a narrative artist, someone who enhances or compliments writing by adding a visual representation.
