Education · 1 of 4

The path

There is no exam and no license. There is a portfolio, and it decides everything.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 9 to 12

   Draw constantly and keep the work. Art, design and any digital media class. Start building a portfolio now, not in your final year.

2. 2

   Training, in some form

   0 to 4 years

   A four-year illustration degree, a two-year community college art program, an intensive atelier, or self-teaching with online courses. All four produce working illustrators.

3. 3

   Build a body of work

   15 to 20 finished pieces aimed at the kind of client you want. A portfolio full of unrelated personal drawings does not get hired.

4. 4

   Get your first paid jobs

   1 to 2 years

   Small publications, local businesses, book covers for indie authors, art director directories and social posting. Low pay, real credits.

5. 5

   Specialize

   Ongoing

   Children's books, editorial, concept art, comics, medical, surface pattern. Illustrators who are known for one thing get called for that thing.