Career guide

How to become an illustrator

Illustration is a recognisable point of view applied to a brief. Companies hire illustrators for editorial, product and brand work — and they hire for style, not for a specific tool. Your job is to develop a hand people can pick out of a line-up, then show it solving real briefs.

  1. 1

    Develop a distinct style

    Draw constantly until something recognisably yours emerges. Range matters less than a clear voice a company can imagine on their surfaces.

  2. 2

    Apply it to real briefs

    Illustrate articles, product empty-states, brand systems. Show your style solving a problem, not just floating on a page.

  3. 3

    Put it where art directors look

    A clean portfolio site plus one active platform. Make it obvious what you'd be hired to do.

  4. 4

    Never do spec work

    Paid tests only. Companies that demand free pitches don't get listed on Palet, and they shouldn't get your time either.

What you'll want in your toolkit

  • Procreate or an iPad
  • vector tools
  • a portfolio site
  • a consistent style
Browse Illustration rolesSee Illustration salaries