Nature of the Work

Let’s start with the basics. Visual artists communicate through various methods and materials—including computers, paints, pastels, magic markers, pencils and pen and ink. They work for commercial clients, such as major corporations, stores, and advertising, design or publishing firms.

Illustrators paint or draw pictures for books, magazines and other publications. They also work with paper products, including greeting cards, calendars, wrapping paper and stationery. Some illustrators draw "story boards'' for commercials, movies and animated features. Storyboards present a series of scenes similar to a comic strip to evaluate proposals and guide the placement of actors and cameras during production. Some work is done electronically, using advanced computer software. This allows ideas to be electronically mailed between clients or presented on the Internet.

Medical illustrators draw illustrations of human anatomy and surgical procedures. Scientific illustrators draw illustrations of animals and plants. These are then used in audiovisual presentations for teaching purposes. Fashion artists draw illustrations of clothing and accessories for newspapers, magazines and other media. Fashion designers need to have an eye for color and fabric. They also need to know how to sew! A good designer must be comfortable with the idea of thinking up clothes for both men and women.

Cartoonists draw political, advertising, social and sports cartoons. Some cartoonists work with others who create the idea or story and write the captions. Most cartoonists, however, have humorous, critical or dramatic talents in addition to drawing skills.

Animators work in the motion picture and television industries. They draw by hand and use computers to create the large series of pictures which, when transferred to film or tape, form the animated cartoons seen in movies and on television.

Art directors read the material to be printed in periodicals, newspapers and other printed media, or posted on the Internet, and decide how best to present the information and what photographs or artwork to use.

Employment, Qualifications and Advancement

Training is esential in the arts. Many institutes and universities offer programs in the fine arts; specialized art schools also offer training in this field. Formal educational programs in art and design should also provide training in computer design techniques. Knowledge and training in computer techniques are critical for many jobs in these fields.

Evidence of appropriate talent and skill, displayed in an artist's "portfolio," is an important factor used by art and design directors and others in deciding whether to hire or contract out work to an artist. The portfolio is a collection of hand-made, computer-generated or printed examples of the artist's best work. Many graphic artists freelance part time, while still in school in order to increase their experience and develop a portfolio of published work.

The training for medical illustrators is more specific. Medical and scientific illustrators must not only demonstrate artistic ability, but must also have a detailed knowledge of the fields they plan to enter.

The full-time freelance artist develops a set of clients who regularly contract for work. Some successful freelancers earn wide recognition for their specialized skills, such as children's book illustration, design, or magazine illustration.

Graphic designers may advance to assistant art director, art director, design director and, in some companies, creative director of the art or design department. Some graphic designers become Webmasters, maintaining their company's Internet site. Others decide to open their own businesses.

The glamorous and exciting image of a career in the visual arts attracts many talented people. As a result, the supply of aspiring artists constantly exceeds the number of job openings. In the near future, the average growth rate of employment in the visual arts is expected to be faster than that of other occupations.

This increase in the number of careers in the visual arts will happen as producers of information, goods and services put increasing emphasis on visual appeal in product design, advertising and marketing. In addition, several occupational options associated with the Internet have emerged—for example, Webmaster and Internet page designer. Many occupations in the advertising industry, such as account executive or creative director, are related to graphic art and design.Various printing occupations are related to graphic art, as is the work of art and design teachers.

Freelance work may be hard to come by and many freelancers earn very little until they acquire experience and establish a good reputation. Those struggling to gain experience and a reputation may be forced to charge minimally for their work. On the other hand, well-established freelancers may earn much more than salaried artists.Nature of the Work

Let’s start with the basics. Visual artists communicate through various methods and materials—including computers, paints, pastels, magic markers, pencils and pen and ink. They work for commercial clients, such as major corporations, stores, and advertising, design or publishing firms.

Illustrators paint or draw pictures for books, magazines and other publications. They also work with paper products, including greeting cards, calendars, wrapping paper and stationery. Some illustrators draw "story boards'' for commercials, movies and animated features. Storyboards present a series of scenes similar to a comic strip to evaluate proposals and guide the placement of actors and cameras during production. Some work is done electronically, using advanced computer software. This allows ideas to be electronically mailed between clients or presented on the Internet.

Medical illustrators draw illustrations of human anatomy and surgical procedures. Scientific illustrators draw illustrations of animals and plants. These are then used in audiovisual presentations for teaching purposes. Fashion artists draw illustrations of clothing and accessories for newspapers, magazines and other media. Fashion designers need to have an eye for color and fabric. They also need to know how to sew! A good designer must be comfortable with the idea of thinking up clothes for both men and women.

Cartoonists draw political, advertising, social and sports cartoons. Some cartoonists work with others who create the idea or story and write the captions. Most cartoonists, however, have humorous, critical or dramatic talents in addition to drawing skills.

Animators work in the motion picture and television industries. They draw by hand and use computers to create the large series of pictures which, when transferred to film or tape, form the animated cartoons seen in movies and on television.

Art directors read the material to be printed in periodicals, newspapers and other printed media, or posted on the Internet, and decide how best to present the information and what photographs or artwork to use.

Employment, Qualifications and Advancement

Training is esential in the arts. Many institutes and universities offer programs in the fine arts; specialized art schools also offer training in this field. Formal educational programs in art and design should also provide training in computer design techniques. Knowledge and training in computer techniques are critical for many jobs in these fields.

Evidence of appropriate talent and skill, displayed in an artist's "portfolio," is an important factor used by art and design directors and others in deciding whether to hire or contract out work to an artist. The portfolio is a collection of hand-made, computer-generated or printed ex