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Job Description:
Job Description:
The role of a Children’s Book Illustrator is to work alongside the author to create the artwork that will accompany the book. Most illustrators work as freelancers and pitch for projects. A well-known illustrator may be commissioned to produce illustrations. Some writers work in collaboration with illustrators on numerous publications, especially in childrens’ publishing. The Book Illustrator must be able to imagine characters and worlds from descriptions, think in terms of visual storytelling and find a creative connection with the author. Children’s book illustrators in particular carry enormous creative weight in the feel of the book. In this field, professional relationships with editors and publishing houses is also key to attaining commissions and recommendations for work.
Salary: According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a Children’s book illustrator is around $80,000 per year.
Salary: According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a Children’s book illustrator is around $80,000 per year.
Occupational Outlook:
Occupational Outlook:
The Occupational outlook for a children’s book illustrator is arguably better than than other art related career fields since books are always needed as well as human perspective and creative, which makes the career slightly more difficult to be taken by AI art.
Links to Learn More About This Career:
Links to Learn More About This Career:
Educational Requirements:
Educational Requirements:
Although a degree is not required in order to get into the field of children’s books illustrations, a degree in fine arts, illustration, or graphic design would defintently be beneficial when looking for jobs or getting hired more regularly.
School of Visual Arts
School of Visual Arts
Address:
Website:
https://sva.edu/
Information on the Major:
https://sva.edu/academics/undergraduate/bfa-illustration
University of kentucky (college of fine arts)
University of kentucky (college of fine arts)
Address:
236 Bolivar Street
Lexington, KY 40506
Website:
https://finearts.uky.edu/
Information on the Major:
https://finearts.uky.edu/savs/digital-illustration
Western Kentucky university
Western Kentucky university
Address:
1906 College Heights Blvd.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
Website:
https://www.wku.edu/art/
Information on the Major:
https://www.wku.edu/art/areas/graphicdesign_gallery.php
Soft Skills, Characteristics, and/or Abilities Need For This Career:
Soft Skills, Characteristics, and/or Abilities Need For This Career:
Understanding of visual storytelling
Able to work creatively with an author
Problem-solving skills
Adaptable to concept and graphics changes, able to see the big picture and work collaboratively
Good communication skills, ability to explain concepts and support artistic choices
Ability to adapt to various visual styles and genres
Passion for latest trends and techniques in design
Disciplined in delivering deadlines
Software Knowledge Needed For This Career:
Software Knowledge Needed For This Career:
The most used software in this career is adobe illustrator and photoshop.
Pros and Cons to Choosing This Career
Pros and Cons to Choosing This Career
Pros (Positives to this Career)
Pros (Positives to this Career)
Workplace flexibility - the ability to work from home if necesary.
Being able to have creative authority of a project and being able to be imaginative when basing illustrations off of the book .
Being able to try out and experiment with new art styles depending on what project you’re working on.
Cons (Negatives to this Career)
Cons (Negatives to this Career)
Due to most children’s book illustrators being freelancers, it’s uncertain that you will be able to find a job.
Having to work on one specific book series for years on end could get tiring without any other projects.
Working long hours on a computer could cause headaches. Neck pain, vision problems, etc.
Typical Working Conditions For This Career:
Typical Working Conditions For This Career:
Graphic designers and illustrators, including childrens book illustrators, spend a significant amount of time, on computers at desks, doing work that requires intense concentration and hand-eye co-ordination. They may experience eye and wrist strain. Often, they face tight timelines, challenging projects or clients and stressful situations.The working conditions of an digital childrens book illustrator can lead to headaches, neck and back pain, vision problems, and more caused by long and continuous hours in front of a screen.
Career Researched By: Abby Winters
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