Art has long accompanied editorial text to help convey meaning and support the context of the article. While the landscape for newspapers and magazines continues to change and evolve, the need for editorial artwork remains clear. The best editorial illustrators combine their artistic skills and talents with their insight into current events, allowing them to create compelling and effective art that is incredibly relevant in our complex world.
What Is Editorial Illustration?
Editorial illustration is a form of visual journalism where artists create drawings and graphics that support editorial articles. Effective and impactful illustrations can support the bulk of the content and present information in a way that is compelling and relatable to the reader.
Defining Editorial Illustration
According to the Association of Illustrators, editorial illustration is defined as works of art that are created to add a visual element to editorial writing. Editorial illustrations may include drawings or graphics that are created for newspapers, magazines and online news websites.
The History and Evolution of Editorial Illustration
The history of editorial illustration dates back to the earliest days of newspapers, when artists would create drawings to convey the information that was presented in the articles. The first newspapers often included large chunks of text, and editors quickly realized the power of visual journalism. The very first editorial illustrations mainly consisted of political cartoons, many of which were drawn to express the political opinions of the newspapers’ owners. Today, however, newspaper illustration focuses less on opinion and more heavily on providing readers with objective, factual images that support the topic of the article.
The Role of Editorial Illustrators
Editorial illustrators play a vital role in today’s evolving media landscape. At a time when readers have a shorter attention span than ever before — with more distractions swirling around them — it has never been more essential to be able to capture their interest and pull them into a piece of editorial writing.
Enhancing Written Content With Visuals
From newspaper illustration to editorial graphic design, editorial illustration has the power to enhance the written content being presented to the reader. Large blocks of text will likely appear intimidating, overwhelming, and perhaps even a bit boring. Narrative illustrations provide valuable information and will capture the attention of the reader, making these drawings a core component of any editorial piece.
Capturing Attention in a Crowded Media Landscape
According to research published in the Frontiers in Communication journal, visual narratives are critical, especially when supporting data-based journalism. The research findings note that editorial illustration and other forms of editorial artwork can be integral to helping the target audience understand complex information, which is one reason why academic and scientific writers are relying more on editorial illustrations for their pieces.
Types of Editorial Illustrations
Within this niche, artists will find that they can specialize in different types of editorial illustrations. Several of the most common forms of editorial illustrations include:
Conceptual Illustrations
The Tate Museum refers to conceptual art as an art form in which the concept or process that went into creating it holds more significance than the finished product. Conceptual illustrations are a form of editorial illustration through which the artist has more artistic and creative liberty to create a compelling, vivid image that represents the concept of the article or editorial work.
Infographics and Visual Data
Infographics and visual data are probably the most relevant and in-demand types of editorial illustration today, particularly as journalists focus more heavily on leveraging data analysis to provide their readers with actionable information. Infographics and visual data can provide readers with an at-a-glance look at the data from the article, in turn improving their understanding and increasing their interest in the content.
Portrait and Character Illustrations
Portrait and character illustrations are still sometimes used in newspaper illustration, with editorial illustrators working to create an artistic rendition of an individual. More frequently, these types of illustrations are included in books — where there may be less room for illustrations, but the writer still wants to provide the reader with a visual understanding of a character.
The Creative Process for Editorial Illustrators
The editorial illustration process requires artists to rely on not only artistic skill but also their vast knowledge of current events and the global landscape. This process entails:
Collaborating With Writers and Editors
Before an editorial illustrator can begin sketching out their next work of art, they need to understand the story. Illustrators may work closely with both writers and editors to understand the context of the story and the information the editorial team is trying to convey. This allows the illustrator to create a compelling visual representation of the story that will attract readers’ attention.
Sketching and Storyboarding
Once an illustrator has an understanding of what the story is about and which information is most crucial, they can then begin sketching and storyboarding their work. During this process, they may still collaborate and seek feedback from the writer to make sure they are heading in the right direction.
Finalizing and Revising Illustrations
After presenting several ideas to the writer and editors, the illustrator may receive feedback and requests for revisions. In the final stage of the process, the illustrator will make any necessary revisions and finalize the piece so it is ready to be published alongside the content. This stage often involves tight deadlines, requiring illustrators to work quickly to finalize their pieces for publication.
Case Studies of Editorial Illustration in Action
Even as many newspapers and magazines begin to focus primarily on their online content, editorial illustration plays a pivotal part in conveying information and capturing the attention of the target audience. The following case studies show the impact that editorial illustration can have on any journalistic piece of writing.
Case Study 1: The New York Times
For almost as long as the newspaper has been operational, The New York Times has relied on editorial illustration in order to convey information to readers. From its interactive online content to its traditional print publication, NYT continues to incorporate narrative illustration into its products, often highlighting a diverse range of illustrators in hopes of amplifying voices. It publishes a compilation of its best illustrations each year.
Case Study 2: The New Yorker
The famed weekly news magazine The New Yorker has traditionally turned to editorial illustration for its covers, with audiences waiting each week to see what the magazine will feature on the front. The cover of The New Yorker is usually designed to convey the most impactful moment or topic of the week.
The Importance of Visual Consistency and Style
In examining editorial illustration examples, you will see that individual illustrators develop a distinct sense of artistic style. Creating a consistent visual style and approach to editorial illustration helps you build a brand, attract clients and develop a lasting business for your art.
Establishing a Visual Identity for Publications
If you are hoping to specialize as an editorial illustrator, begin by establishing a visual identity that sets you apart from other artists in this niche area. Publications tend to look for artists who will provide them with compelling and distinct illustrations, and they often crave art that looks different from what is being published in their competitors’ newspapers and magazines.
Adapting Styles for Different Audiences
Although you may develop a consistent approach to editorial illustration, your editorial illustration process should be flexible enough that you can adapt your style to suit the needs and preferences of different audiences. This enables you to create an expansive network of clients, grow your business and increase exposure for your art.
Tips for Aspiring Editorial Illustrators
A career in editorial illustration is sure to be exciting and inspiring. Those seeking work as a freelance editorial illustrator or a job in editorial graphic design should start improving their skills, building their brand and increasing their exposure in the industry. You can pursue a career in editorial illustration by:
Building a Strong Portfolio
The key to becoming recognized in this competitive industry is to build a solid and diverse portfolio. Not only should your editorial illustration portfolio include examples of your work, but the work that you include in your portfolio should also showcase your ability to think conceptually.
Networking and Collaborating in the Industry
Once you have developed your portfolio, begin networking and collaborating in the industry. This is a competitive, niche market, so it’s crucial to develop the right connections that will help you secure new opportunities in editorial illustration. You can network by attending industry conferences, developing your brand on social media and leveraging connections with classmates and professors.
Staying Informed on Current Events and Trends
To create relevant and compelling editorial illustrations, stay abreast of current events at the local, national and global levels. Maintaining a sense of awareness about current events will allow you to create timely illustrations to add to your portfolio — showing that you understand the thoughtful work that goes into creating valuable editorial illustrations.
Learn the Art of Narrative Illustration at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
If you aspire to become an editorial illustrator, then you will first need to focus on developing your illustration skills. At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, we offer an on-campus Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration degree as well as an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration degree. Both programs offer a rigorous curriculum focused on the skills required for artistic storytelling. Request more information about our online and on-campus fine arts degree programs today.
