About Fashion Illustration as a Career

[Hana_N]

I was just wondering who would hire fashion illustrators and do you need a special training?

 

[haleyanne]

I would think some sort of art school would be good.
But I'm curious about who would hire?
My guess would be designers/lables and they would probably tell you what they want done and then you would submit your work to them.
So I guess you could freelance?

 

[Jake Style]

I am graduating this year and specialising in fashion illustration. My drawings are quite general and abstract so I am mostly trying to find work illustrating articles on magazines.

But there are lots of options:

Drawing schetches for designers, making illustrations for ads, making illustrations to be printed on clothes or generally doing artistic work that relates closely to fashion. There might be many more options but these came to my mind first.

Most important is to create a portfolio and make it as public as possible. Go around and show your work everywhere.

 

[criticsdarling]

I am very interested in this too! I have read in a career book that fashion illustrators are often freelance and self employeed. I'd be curious to know how strong and consistant the demand is for this.

 

[grandefille]

well, the demand does depend on
- your talent
- your promotion
- chance
you need to be persistent.
you can find more info about illustration in general on the aoi website (association of illustrators). They also organise events and talks.
http://www.theaoi.com

 

[annabel_lee]

almost everyone uses illustrators...but it's mostly per job basis. sometimes you may have to do it for free to build your portfolio...i think asking your fashion illustration instructors are the best way to start.

 

[PlasticGirl]

Most designers cant even draw, they instruct the illustrator so that it looks very stylised and professional... I think theres loads of work for this. But otherwise most designers use templates.
Its not that hard.

 

[grandefille]

Most designers cant even draw, they instruct the illustrator so that it looks very stylised and professional... I think theres loads of work for this

Hi Plasticgirl,

But the real question becomes: how does one find out about these jobs? I have never seen an ad from a desigber looking for an illustrator. ALthough, I'd love such a job.

 

[PlasticGirl]

I think a website is your best bet, you need a professionally made one, showcasing your work. You also need to offer services for free to get attention and some portfolio stuff.

 

[piep]

I was just wondering who would hire fashion illustrators and do you need a special training?

Take a look at the bios of the famous fashion illustrators. most of them have an art/fashion/graphic design degree. nobody will ask ever for a degree, but artschools are the most effective way of learning.

 

[piep]

Most designers cant even draw, they instruct the illustrator so that it looks very stylised and professional... I think theres loads of work for this

Hi Plasticgirl,

But the real question becomes: how does one find out about these jobs? I have never seen an ad from a desigber looking for an illustrator. ALthough, I'd love such a job.

you are in London, as it is stated on your avatar. You better go job hunting with your portfolio, because no designer will place an ad ever. Maybe an internship is a good way to get into the job, if you want to draw for the designer directly.

 

[grandefille]

Thanks.
I'll do just that then, but first,I'll improve my portfolio to show more fashion related drawings + accessories.

 

[gius]

Most designers cant even draw, they instruct the illustrator so that it looks very stylised and professional... I think theres loads of work for this. But otherwise most designers use templates.
Its not that hard.

But then who would these be shown to? These stylised and professional illustrations
I think if it was whoever was making the clothes, it would be the flats that will be shown, not the illustrations

 

[PlasticGirl]

Flats are used for the manufacturing process, the stylised pics are for showing off the look to the client (wearer) draped onto a body..

 

[jun3machina]

nobody will ask ever for a degree, but artschools are the most effective way of learning.

and getting internships.....if you pay $40,000 a year, they better hook you up with some form of empoyment to pay off all your student loans

 

[gemi_12]

you shouls also probally have a good idea how to use CAD

 

[piep]

and getting internships.....if you pay $40,000 a year, they better hook you up with some form of empoyment to pay off all your student loans

i agree about interships, always great if you get a place at a good design house, there is no better way for starting into business.

as for student loans, thanks god, or thank our education policy, the best art and design universities are free.

 

[jeffrey0806]

you know who highers fashion illustrators??

fashion schools

and those people who do the fashion forecast books or trendbooks like "here & there"

 

[Amerzilian]

Fashion Sketch Artist

(Yeah, many questions, lol!) Where can I find a job for fashion sketch artist? Do you know any web site where they are looking for them? Any location?

 

[xmodax]

yeah a fashion illustrator job would be nice, I too am interested.