Digital Illustrator Job Description, Salary, Skills & Software

What does a digital illustrator do?

Often working from a client/employer’s creative brief, a digital illustrator creates a narrative image that tells a story, conveys an emotion or mood, or sells a concept or product.

The work of a digital illustrator can include artwork and high-end special effects for film, elements for video games, advertisements, graphic design, book cover art, etc.

Digital illustrator job description

Digital illustrators create original images for either commissioned work or personal projects.

As the term implies, they work using computer software on PCs or graphics tablets. Each artist has their own unique process and each project requires different techniques.

Initial sketches for a piece may start as hand drawings but the finished product is delivered digitally for digital media such as film and television effects, publishing, web design, advertisements, educational resources, video games, etc.

The digital illustrator is briefed on the project and they produce artwork that best communicates the idea, character, visuals, scenario, sequence, icon, etc. The creative process is one that works on developing these illustrations, refining and reworking drafts until the final artwork is signed off.

Most illustrators work as freelancers but some advertising agencies, publishing houses and large companies will have in-house illustrator roles.

Role and responsibilities of a digital illustrator in film and games:

Liaising with the producer, publisher, client, etc regarding the brief for the project
Illustrating with the audience in mind, finding the most effective way to communicate a story
Presenting a series of drafts of the illustrations for approval
Employing graphics in bitmap or vector formats as required
Collaborating with team members regarding designs and workflows
Working to a schedule
Keeping project on budget
Ensuring illustrations meet quality color standards
Advising on intricacies of design genre, style, color palette, etc
Delivering to client’s expectation
Supplying final artwork to set specifications

The digital illustration process is similar to other forms of illustrations, with initial rough sketches drawn using a graphics tablet and then refined using bitmap (Adobe Photoshop) and/or vector (Adobe Illustrator) applications.

The main difference between the two types is that bitmap, or painting, software creates photorealistic images and allows for special effects; while vector, or drawing, tools create images through anchor points to construct shapes and clean lines. A finished digital image may contain embedded layers of both types of graphics.

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Skills required to become a digital illustrator for film and games

Digital illustrators must be equally adept at thinking creatively and remaining tech-savvy.

They are required to respond to constructive criticism and deliver what the client wants on time, within budget and in the correct format.

Their digital skills will constantly be put to the test as each project will require different formats, and digital tools are ever-changing and upgrading.

Film and game companies may look for the following skills in a digital illustrator:

Training in digital illustration, graphic design, fine art
Talent for visual communication, strong drawing skills
Understanding of variety of digital format delivery items ie JPEG, TIFF, PDF, etc
Experience working with geometric primitive shapes to create complex shapes
Feel for shading and depicting three-dimensional shapes
Familiarity with how pixels (picture elements) work
Ability to create bitmap, vector and raster graphics
Knowledge of normal, UV, bump and specular maps
Familiarity with typography, an eye for incorporating text into graphics
Experience in manipulating pixels, vertices and textures in CGI creation
Fluency in the basics of geometry, optics, physics and perception
Skills in producing graphs, charts, maps, icons, logos, infographics, diagrams, tables, schematics, plots, flowcharts etc
Solid understanding of visual language - texture, color, dimension, scale, perspective, shade, composition, depth of field, proportion, spatial awareness, etc
Good communication skills, ability to explain concepts and support artistic choices
Skills in technical drawing
Ability to adapt to various visual styles and genres
Passion for the latest trends and techniques in design
Team player, able to work independently
Disciplined in delivering deadlines and keeping within budget

What software and tools do digital illustrators use?

Digital illustrators use digital tools to create their work. This includes graphics software and hardware such as PCs and graphics tablets. They may scan hand-drawn sketches, import images from the natural world and use photographs to create digital art.

Digital illustrators may need knowledge of a combination of the following software: