Fashion illustrators are artistic individuals who have talents with both traditional media, like pencil sketching, and graphic design. If you have a flair for art and a keen eye for fashion, this could be a great job fit for you. There are many fashion school programs that will give you the skills needed for this profession.
Working with art directors and designers, fashion artists execute layouts and designs for product merchandising as well as apparel. While fashion illustrators do not have much say in the concept or designing of these projects, their knowledge of art and form allows them to advise in the design process while making the ideas of the designer come to life. The work of a fashion illustrator can appear on print publications and Websites nationwide, giving the artist a great deal of exposure.
Even if you are skilled in traditional forms of art, you will most likely need more technical training to become a fashion illustrator. This is due to the fact that many projects will require use of InDesign and Photoshop. Many working fashion artists have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in fine arts, fashion art, visual arts, fashion design, or graphic design.
Fashion artists typically work freelance since there are not many full-time fashion illustrating jobs depending on the area in which you live. Those with the proper education can pull in anywhere from $29,800 to $63,000 annually as a fashion artist. With passion, skills and determination, you can make this career work for you.
Read more about careers in fashion art here.