“If you are talented at drawing, and have creativity and imagination, this might be the perfect job for you.”

As an illustrator, you would produce drawings, paintings or diagrams that help make products more attractive or easier to understand. This could include books, book jackets, greetings cards, advertisements, packaging and detailed technical diagrams.

In this job you will need good attention to detail. You will need creativity but you'll need to stick to a brief. You will also need to manage your time well, so you meet your deadlines.

Most professional illustrators have a degree, either in illustration or in another art-related subject. To get jobs, you will need to build up a portfolio (examples of your work), to show employers what you can do. If you work freelance you will usually use an agent to help you get work.

Skills you'll learn at South Devon College

• art and design skills
• creativity and imagination
• specialist software knowledge
• the ability to work to a brief
• the ability to work to a deadline
• business awareness
• improved English and IT skills

Your future

• over 80% of culture, media and sports occupations will require qualifications at level 3 or above by 2020
• arts and entertainment jobs are expected to expand by 37% across the South West by 2020
• 199,000 new jobs will be created nationally by 2020 in the arts and entertainment sector - a 23% increase on 2010 job totals. 1,055,000 in total
• 99% of Art, Media and Design students moved forward into a positive destination, including employment, apprenticeships and further study

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