Illustrator Science & Engineering Professionals
SaveWhat Does an Illustrator Do?
Illustrators provide a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text or idea. Illustrations can help clarify difficult concepts or objects that are hard to describe textually. Illustrators can work for books, magazines, journals, comic books and other publications.
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Where Do I Start?
Intellectual Property Law
The regulations that govern the set of rights protecting products of the intellect from unlawful infringement.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become an Illustrator
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialIntellectual Property Law knowledge
The regulations that govern the set of rights protecting products of the intellect from unlawful infringement.
Recommended Books
5 booksA Straightforward Guide to Intellectual Property and the Law -
EssentialCopyright Legislation knowledge
Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialGraphic Design knowledge
The techniques to create a visual representation of ideas and messages.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialLabour Legislation knowledge
Legislation, on a national or international level, that governs labour conditions in various fields between labour parties such as the government, employees, employers, and trade unions.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialArt History knowledge
The history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialConsult With Business Clients skill
Communicate with clients of a business or business project in order to introduce new ideas, obtain feedback, and find solutions to problems.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialConsult With Editor skill
Consult with the editor of a book, magazine, journal or other publications about expectations, requirements, and progress.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialContextualise Artistic Work skill
Identify influences and situate your work within a specific trend which may be of an artistic, aesthetic, or philosophical natures. Analyse the evolution of artistic trends, consult experts in the …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Visual Quality Of The Set skill
Inspect and amend the scenery and set-dressing to make sure the visual quality is optimal with in constraints of time, budget and manpower.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFinish Project Within Budget skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow A Brief skill
Interpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Work Schedule skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialGather Reference Materials For Artwork skill
Gather samples of the materials you expect to use in the creation process, especially if the desired piece of art necessitates the intervention of qualified workers or specific production processes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAnalyse Texts To Be Illustrated skill
Analyse texts to be illustrated; researching and checking sources.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInterpret Illustration Needs skill
Communicate with clients, editors and authors in order to interpret and fully understand their professional needs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSelect Illustration Styles skill
Select the appropriate style, medium, and techniques of illustration in line with the needs of the project and client's requests.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 18 displayed)
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OptionalDesktop Publishing knowledge
The creation of documents using page layout skills on a computer. Desktop publishing software can generate layouts and produce typographic quality text and images.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalMultimedia Systems knowledge
The methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalIct Software Specifications knowledge
The characteristics, use and operations of various software products such as computer programmes and application software.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalApply Desktop Publishing Techniques skill
Apply desktop publishing techniques and software to create page layouts and typographic quality text.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCollaborate With A Technical Staff In Artistic Productions skill
Coordinate the artistic activities with others who are specialised in the technical side of the project. Inform the technical staff of the plans and methods suggested and obtain feedback on …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate 2d Painting skill
Produce a drawing by using a range of digital tools.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate Sketches skill
Draw sketches to prepare for a drawing or as a standalone artistic technique.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDesign Graphics skill
Apply a variety of visual techniques in order to design graphic material. Combine graphical elements to communicate concepts and ideas.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Educational Activities skill
Develop speeches, activities and workshops in order to foster access and comprehension to the artistic creation processes. It can address a particular cultural and artistic event such as a show …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Educational Resources skill
Create and develop educational resources for visitors, school groups, families and special interest groups.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEdit Negatives skill
Use different software products and techniques to process photographic negatives and adapt the images to the desired specifications.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEdit Photographs skill
Resize, enhance and retouche photographs, using airbrushing, editing software and other techniques.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Image Editing skill
Edit various types of images such as analogue and digital photographs or illustrations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPlan Art Educational Activities skill
Plan and implement artistic facilities, performance, venues and museum-related educational activities and events.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Digital Illustration Techniques skill
Create drawings using digital illustration programmes and techniques.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate Animated Narratives skill
Develop animated narrative sequences and story lines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate Original Drawings skill
Create original drawings, based on texts, thorough research and discussion with authors, journalists and specialists.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Traditional Illustration Techniques skill
Create drawings using traditional illustration techniques such as watercolour, pen and ink, airbrush art, oil painting, pastels, wood engraving, and linoleum cuts.
Course recommendations coming soon.