What does a graphics illustrator do?
A graphics illustrator is an artist that is skilled in drawing, painting, digital illustration, art history, and sometimes marketing. Your job as an illustrator is to create a visual representation of an idea or associated text. Unlike a graphic designer, a graphic illustrator does a lot more drawing, product package design, book illustrations, and graphic novels. As a graphics illustrator, you may be required to lead lots of projects that deal with advertising design and publishing initiatives. In addition to that, you may be expected to produce mockups, wireframes, prototypes, and design specifications.
Graphics illustrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real graphics illustrator resumes:
- Lead the development and execution of several overhead presentations, advertising design, brochure marketing, and desktop publishing initiatives.
- Involve in developing HTML and JavaScript for client side presentation and, data validation on the clientside with in the forms.
- Create computer graphics and animation.
- Proofread catalogs, ads and packaging.
- Design logos, flyers, mailers, programs, etc.
- Develop online presence strategy (SEO, Instagram, Facebook).
- Create technical/visual UI designs, concepts and sample layouts base on customer needs.
- Involve in writing application level code to perform client side validation using JQUERY and JavaScript.
- Create email blasts and flyers for clients and non-clients to promote operations for jewelry accessory collection.
- Utilize a CNC router for contour cutting rigid materials.assist as a driver for making rush deliveries.
- Create splash screens, PowerPoint slides, logos, and icons for various commercial and government customers.
- Collect, test and organize mobile phones specifications for designers to do wallpapers, icons, and UI.
- Create artwork and animation for multimedia presentations, as well as illustrations, logos and 3D renderings for print applications.
- Collaborate with colleagues to create print products such as original characters, posters, logos, and patterns for truck wrapping.
- Work various projects, including posters, DVD packaging, t-shirts, playing cards, promotional materials, logos, & branding
Graphics illustrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Graphics Illustrators are proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Graphic Design, and Adobe Indesign. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Artistic ability, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Graphics Illustrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Adobe Photoshop, 14%
Demonstrated commitment and the ability to build client Adobe Photoshop and relationships and loyalty through initiating service consultations Illustrator.
- Graphic Design, 8%
JOB QUALIFICATIONS Graphic Designer/Multimedia Designer/3-D Modeling & Animation.
- Adobe Indesign, 8%
Used templates in Adobe InDesign to personalize and design various company products.
- Sketch, 7%
Commissioned for character illustrations starting from sketch to finished product.
- Web Design, 7%
Worked with printers and designers on brochures and direct mailers and with outside web designer to maintain corporate website.
- Adobe Illustrator, 5%
Created technical illustrations and diagrams in Adobe Illustrator for helicopter maintenance manuals
"adobe photoshop," "graphic design," and "adobe indesign" are among the most common skills that graphics illustrators use at work. You can find even more graphics illustrator responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a graphics illustrator to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what graphics illustrators do because "graphic designers must be able to perceive their work from their consumers’ point of view to ensure that the designs convey the client’s message." Additionally, a graphics illustrator resume shows how graphics illustrators use analytical skills: "utilized dreamweaver for html, css, javascript and jquery to place data into templates provided. "
Artistic ability. Many graphics illustrator duties rely on artistic ability. "graphic designers must be able to create designs that are artistically interesting and appealing to clients and consumers," so a graphics illustrator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways graphics illustrator responsibilities rely on artistic ability: "illustrate for the weekly comics section * provide relevant illustration for articles * use artistic skill to create humorous and relatable comics"
Communication skills. graphics illustrators are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to graphics illustrator responsibilities, because "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." A graphics illustrator resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "provided in-house print and online communication including posters and photography for online employee newsletter. "
Computer skills. For certain graphics illustrator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "computer skills." The day-to-day duties of a graphics illustrator rely on this skill, as "most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what graphics illustrators do: "used computer-aided design to scan images and alter elements in programs. "
Creativity. Another crucial skill for a graphics illustrator to carry out their responsibilities is "creativity." A big part of what graphics illustrators relies on this skill, since "graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers." How this skill relates to graphics illustrator duties can be seen in an example from a graphics illustrator resume snippet: "created 3 posters and illustrations based on love, courage and creativity for advertising character strengths and virtues. "
Time-management skills. While "time-management skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to graphics illustrator responsibilities. Much of what a graphics illustrator does relies on this skill, seeing as "graphic designers often work simultaneously on multiple projects, each with a different deadline." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of graphics illustrators: "produced illustrations for math textbooks using adobe illustrator program responsible for meeting strict publishing deadlines"
The three companies that hire the most graphics illustrators are:
- ManTech4 graphics illustrators jobs
- Synectic Solutions1 graphics illustrators jobs
- Canva1 graphics illustrators jobs
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Compare different graphics illustrators
Graphics illustrator vs. Lead designer
A lead designer is responsible for addressing the clients' needs of digital content and coordinating with the design team for the planning and innovation of the visual design and concept. Lead designers conduct the initial layout of frameworks and collaborate with the art staff for the specifications and outputs using various software applications and digital boards. They regularly update the client of the project's status, including adjustment and design recommendations, ensuring that the plan meets the client's budget goals. A lead designer must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on running diagnostic tests to improve optimal performance.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, graphics illustrator responsibilities require skills like "adobe indesign," "adobe creative suite," "photography," and "posters." Meanwhile a typical lead designer has skills in areas such as "human centered design," "html css," "architecture," and "ui." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Lead designers earn the highest salaries when working in the start-up industry, with an average yearly salary of $118,563. On the other hand, graphics illustrators are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $76,692.lead designers tend to reach similar levels of education than graphics illustrators. In fact, lead designers are 3.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Graphics illustrator vs. Web designer
A web designer is a creative professional responsible for creating and redesigning the content and layout of websites. Web designers are required to meet clients and users to discuss the needs and goals of their clients. To create graphics, colors, and fonts, web designers usually use HTML coding to alter the website's layout. Web designers must build their portfolio by taking on unique projects for themselves and the people they know.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, graphics illustrator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "adobe indesign," "web design," "cad," and "posters." Meanwhile, a web designer has duties that require skills in areas such as "wordpress," "html css," "ui," and "html5." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Web designers may earn a lower salary than graphics illustrators, but web designers earn the most pay in the internet industry with an average salary of $81,039. On the other hand, graphics illustrators receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $76,692.In general, web designers achieve similar levels of education than graphics illustrators. They're 1.5% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Graphics illustrator vs. Designer
A designer is someone who creates a master plan of the look or workings of something before it will be made. It could be tangible or intangible objects, products, procedures, laws, events, games, graphics, services, and even experiences. Designers are creative thinkers with a great eye to configure the skeletal and structural properties of the targeted output. They work in several fields, such as fashion, architecture, web graphics, and user experience. In spite of the variety of professionals in the design industry, all of them are artistic, passionate, inspiring, and emotionally connected to their projects and brands.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a graphics illustrator is likely to be skilled in "photography," "cad," "posters," and "premiere pro," while a typical designer is skilled in "customer service," "html css," "revit," and "design concepts."
Designers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $87,754. On the other hand, graphics illustrators are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $76,692.When it comes to education, designers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to graphics illustrators. In fact, they're 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Graphics illustrator vs. Design internship
As the name entails, graphic design interns learn about the career in graphic design in a hands-on setting. They have varied tasks and duties, including taking part in every meeting of the design team, conducting client research, assisting with social media and design projects, and working closely with experienced designers. They are often paid little or nothing at all for their service, but the experience that they acquire from their field can be dispensable.
Types of graphics illustrator
Updated January 8, 2025
