Are you looking to become an illustrator but aren’t sure what career paths are available to you? According to Zippia, 70% of illustrators and graphic designers in the workforce currently hold a Bachelor’s degree. As the digital age of the twenty-first century continues to grow, so does the demand for qualified illustrators. In this blog, we will share five illustration careers you can pursue with your BFA from RMCAD.
Children’s Book Illustration
A popular career path to pursue after earning your illustration degree is becoming a children’s book illustrator, where you work with an author to bring a story to life through illustrations. When entering this field, it’s important to consider if you would like to work with an agent or represent yourself. The latter can come with added administrative responsibilities such as contracting, negotiating, and personally connecting with authors.
“I usually work on about eight children’s books a year,” explains RMCAD alum Luke Flowers. “Some days I think, ‘I got to draw monsters all day,’ I’m pretty lucky.” Flowers has illustrated more than 75 children’sbooks. Most notably, the New York Times Best-seller “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.”
Concept Art for Games + Animation
If you enjoy bringing ideas to life, a career as a concept artist might be a rewarding path to follow after graduating with your BFA in Illustration. Concept artists work to sketch, illustrate, and draw conceptual pieces that guide the look and feel of the final product. From game studios to film productions, you will work with a variety of creatives to hone in on early to mid stages of creative development.
Comic Books + Graphic Novel Illustration
Illustrating comics and graphic novels can be an exciting career for those with an interest in the visually-heavy medium. The unique art style that both jobs boast is hard to come by outside of the profession. Comic book illustrators will typically sketch out each issue, which is then passed along to the inker and colorist.
Many faculty members at RMCAD are working artists in a wide range of creative industries. Adjunct Professor Michael Wiggam works annually with Marvel Comics to illustrate for Marvel Pride, an LGBTQ+ comic book issue. “Comics are something that have always been a touchstone of my life,” explains Wiggam.
Product Illustration
Primarily working in the Adobe Suite with software such as Illustrator and Photoshop, product designers are the artists behind what we see around us each day. From soda cans to a box of colored pencils, each product needs a design that a product illustrator can create. Oftentimes, product illustrators convey complex ideas about a product in simplified ways.
Freelance Commissions
Out of the many illustration careers to choose from, many artists enjoy being their own boss. Whether you start an online business or create a booth at your local art fair, the sky’s the limit with opportunities. Many artists have their own aspirations and goals which they follow working on their own schedule.
Is an Illustration Career Right for You?
If any of these career paths are aligned with your interests, then a degree in illustration might be the right choice for you. It’s evident that the job of an illustrator allows for a flexible career path across a variety of industries. From children’s book illustration to freelance design, illustration opportunities are not slowing down any time soon, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To learn more about an illustration degree from RMCAD, request info today.
FAQs: 5 Illustration Careers You Can Pursue With a Bachelor’s Degree
What jobs can you get with an illustration degree?
A bachelor’s degree in illustration opens the door to a wide range of careers, including children’s book illustrator, concept artist for games and animation, comic book and graphic novel illustrator, and product illustrator. Many graduates also build careers as freelance illustrators, taking on commissions and running their own businesses. The skills are flexible and transfer across publishing, entertainment, advertising, and product design.
Do you need a degree to become an illustrator?
A degree is not strictly required to work as an illustrator, but it is common in the field. Many working illustrators and graphic designers hold a bachelor’s degree, and a structured program helps artists build technical skills, develop a strong portfolio, and make industry connections. For some roles, especially at studios and publishers, a degree and a polished portfolio together can strengthen a candidate’s prospects.
What does a concept artist do?
A concept artist creates early sketches, illustrations, and conceptual pieces that define the look and feel of a project before final production begins. They work across game studios, film, and animation, collaborating with directors, designers, and other artists during the early to middle stages of creative development. Their work helps a team visualize characters, environments, and overall style before committing to a finished product.
How do comic book illustrators work?
Comic book and graphic novel illustrators typically begin by sketching out each issue panel by panel. That artwork is then often passed along to an inker and a colorist who refine and complete the visuals, making comics a collaborative, multi-step process. The medium has a distinctive art style that is difficult to find outside the profession, which is part of its appeal for artists drawn to sequential, visually driven storytelling.
Can you make a living as a freelance illustrator?
Many illustrators build sustainable careers working for themselves through freelance commissions. Freelancers have the freedom to set their own schedules and pursue their own creative goals, whether by running an online business, selling at art fairs, or contracting directly with clients. The trade-off is added responsibility for tasks like contracting, negotiating rates, and finding clients, so business skills matter alongside artistic ability.
Is illustration a good career choice?
Illustration can be a strong career path for those who enjoy creative, flexible work across multiple industries. Demand for skilled illustrators has continued alongside the growth of digital media, and the field spans everything from publishing to gaming to product design. As with any creative profession, success depends on building a distinctive portfolio, developing professional relationships, and staying adaptable to industry trends.
What is the difference between a product illustrator and a graphic designer?
A product illustrator focuses on creating the visuals and artwork found on the products we use every day, from beverage cans to packaging, often simplifying complex ideas into clear, appealing imagery. They work primarily in software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Graphic designers work more broadly across branding, layout, and visual communication, so while the roles overlap and use similar tools, product illustration is a more specialized focus within the wider design field.
