Illustration

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Animator
• Concept artist
• Graphic designer
• Illustrator
• Multimedia programmer
• Printmaker
• Production designer, theatre/television/film

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Advertising account executive
• Arts administrator
• Artworker
• Fashion designer
• Fine artist
• Higher education lecturer
• Special effects technician
• Textile designer
• VFX artist
• Web designer

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Completing a short placement in a graphic design, illustration or animation studio will help you develop a clearer understanding of the skills needed in the art and design industry. You'll also gain valuable insight into the creative process and how projects evolve from concept to completion.

As well as strengthening your creative skills, it's important to develop your business awareness. Designing and selling your own products can demonstrate your entrepreneurial ability and practical production skills.

You'll also need a strong portfolio to show your work to employers or clients. Keep it up to date and add new pieces as you gain more experience.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

Graduates can find work in a variety of roles across the creative arts and design sector. Typical employers include advertising and marketing agencies, publishers, and companies that specialise in graphic design, web design or animation.

Most illustrators work freelance, sourcing their own commissions and building relationships with clients rather than applying for advertised vacancies. Potential clients include advertising agencies, design consultancies, publishers, print and online media outlets, and events companies.

As a freelance illustrator, you might work on projects such as:

• book and magazine covers
• children's books or educational materials
• editorial illustrations for print or online articles
• marketing materials, branding projects and advertising campaigns, from billboard posters to packaging
• storyboards and posters for film, animation or games
• greeting cards, posters or merchandise design
• illustrations for websites, apps or social media content.

Find information on employers in creative arts and design, marketing, advertising and PR, media and internet and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

An illustration degree helps you develop a mix of creative, technical and professional skills that can be applied across many careers. These include:

• creativity and originality, enabling you to develop your own artistic style while responding flexibly to new ideas and client briefs
• the ability to work independently, producing original work and building a professional portfolio
• design and technical skills, from drawing and visual storytelling to using digital and moving-image media
• digital literacy, including proficiency with creative software and emerging tools such as AI-assisted design platforms
• entrepreneurial and business skills, such as commercial awareness, client management, and understanding tax, copyright and licensing
• collaboration and communication skills, gained through working with clients, peers and creative teams
• networking and self-promotion skills, including using social media and online platforms to develop your brand and showcase your work.

Further study

Postgraduate illustration courses are becoming more widely available and can help you refine your artistic voice, develop a professional portfolio and build industry connections. A Masters may also be suitable if you’re interested in teaching at further or higher education level.

You could also specialise in a related discipline, such as graphic design, animation, marketing, art direction or advertising. For example, a Masters in design management could lead to roles with organisations such as the Design Council or within creative and communication management.

Completing a postgraduate qualification demonstrates commitment to your professional development and can enhance both your technical expertise and creative confidence.

Short courses are another useful way to update your digital and IT skills, explore new software or learn specialist techniques relevant to your interests.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in illustration.

What do illustration graduates do?

12% of illustration graduates in employment are working as artists and 10% as graphic and multimedia designers 15 months after graduation. 2% work as educational support assistants and 2% in design occupations.

Find out what other graduates are doing after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.