Are you looking to turn your doodling hobby into an actual career?
The illustration industry is booming. From working in-house at digital art studios and game companies to publishing houses and everything in between, skilled artists are in high demand right now.
And while you certainly don’t need a formal degree to work as an illustrator…
…the truth is that most professional artists have spent years studying their craft in some capacity. If you want to be one of them, you need to ask yourself:
How can you fast-track your learning and compete against self-taught artists with 10+ years of ‘on-the-job’ experience?
This blog will explain exactly how to become a professional illustrator. From defining the most important skills to highlighting industry-leading programs that can help you master them.
Table of Contents
- What Does a Professional Illustrator Actually Do?
- Why a Concept Art Program Changes Everything
- The Skills Professional Illustrators Must Have
- What to Look For In a Concept Art Program
- Career Paths and Salaries
What Does a Professional Illustrator Actually Do?
Illustrators work in literally every medium.
Comic books, magazines, video games, advertising, children’s books… you name it.
But what does their day-to-day actually look like?
Obviously, it varies from industry to industry. Concept artists design assets like characters, vehicles, and world building elements for game studios and film productions. Illustrators working for children’s publishers sit down with editors and designers to brainstorm creative visions for new stories.
But regardless of where you land, successful illustrators have to:
- Translate ideas into visuals. AND
- Have the technical skills to execute on those ideas using industry standard software.
More on that later!
Why a Concept Art Program Changes Everything
Here’s the thing…
Most beginners want to learn how to draw by setting up a little studio in their bedroom and locking themselves away for years on end.
But while practice makes perfect, you can only get so far without formal training or professional direction.
Pursuing degrees in illustration bridges that gap. They give artists the foundational skills required to meet industry expectations and build marketable careers straight out of college.
And here’s why that matters:
Most employers don’t just hire based on portfolio alone. Sure, your work needs to wow them…
…but they also want to know that you can:
- Speak their language
- Take feedback gracefully
- Meet deadlines like a pro
Skills like these aren’t magic. They’re learned through working on real projects, receiving frequent critique, and developing an understanding of professional workflows. A solid illustration program teaches you all of that (plus how to actually draw incredibly well).
Ready to learn more? Here’s a breakdown of what all pros should know…
The Skills Professional Illustrators Must Have
Digital or traditional, there are certain skills ALL illustrators need to know.
On the software side of things…
- The ability to use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator like a pro
- Drawing fundamentals; perspective, anatomy, composition, lighting
- Knowledge of colour theory
- Experience with 3D software (like ZBrush or Blender) for concept purposes
On the professional side of things…
- Communication and client management skills
- How to receive creative feedback without getting defensive
- Time-management and strong discipline
- Putting together a killer portfolio
And how can you learn these skills? Outside of years of drawing on your own time?
Through structured direction from instructors who have REAL experience working in the industry. Acting as a mentor, these teachers can provide direction, clarity, and direct insights into what employers are looking for in junior talent.
What to Look For In a Concept Art Program
So… you know you need to enroll in a concept art program. But how do you know which one to pick?
Here are a few traits that only the best programs possess:
- Industry Connections: The right programs have real connections to game studios, design houses, advertising agencies, and more. Instructors who work in the industry regularly open doors to internships, job opportunities, and mentorship that you won’t find anywhere else.
- Modern software training: As outlined above, digital tools change constantly. A great concept art program will keep their students proficient in the latest software and workflow techniques.
- Portfolio-focused: One major project won’t cut it. Students need to build, edit, and learn how to present their portfolio from DAY ONE. Top programs weave portfolio development into every project they do.
- Critique-driven: No one is great at receiving feedback at first. Learning how to integrate constructive criticism into your work is a skill that all professionals need. Programs that include critique as part of their curriculum help students master this sooner.
While having the ability to draw is certainly 50% of the battle… learning how to think and act like a professional is everything.
Career Paths and Salaries
So you want to know what you can actually do with an Illustration degree?
Good news: There are options.
Obviously, every artist’s path is unique. But here are some of the most common careers you could be working in one day:
- Concept Artist (Video Game Studios, Film Industry)
- Character Designer (Animation, Publishing)
- Storyboard Artist (Ads, Film)
- Editorial Illustrator (Magazines, Digital Media)
- Children’s Book Illustrator (Publishing)
Believe it or not… the need for qualified illustrators is only growing. In fact, the global digital art market size was valued at USD 12.04 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach a whopping USD 39.40 billion by 2032.
Illustrators have the potential to earn great money too. While entry level painters and craft artists earned a median of $41,500 annually in May 2023, professional illustrators and game artists made around $57,030.*
The job market for creators is expected to grow by 5.2% till 2032. And students who receive a formal education are consistently outperforming self-taught applicants when it comes to securing that dream job.
Want more reasons to get started?
Choosing the right illustration program could be the best decision you make for your future career.
Become a Professional Illustrator: Wrap Up
Being a professional illustrator is an amazing career path for anyone who loves to create.
But it won’t just happen overnight.
To succeed in this field, you need to:
- Continually develop your skillset.
- Learn how to use industry-standard software.
- Understand what it takes to run a freelance business (or at least WORK like a professional, on-time, every time).
- Get real training from professionals who already know the ins and outs of this industry.
Finding a concept art program that will teach you all of this and more is your first step.
Ready to start your journey?