Meetings of the Advisory Board: Pushing Boundaries with a Blue-Collar Approach to Work
In the dynamic world of illustration, the past few years have seen significant changes, driven by technological advancements, shifting market demands, and altering job requirements.
Crowdfunding has become a notable success in the comic book industry, with some artists raising over six figures for a single comic book issue. This trend underscores the growing interest and investment in visual storytelling.
The broader design and creative software publishing industry, which illustrators heavily rely on, has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 2.7% from 2020 to 2025 in the U.S., reaching around $25 billion in 2025. This growth, coupled with the proliferation of cloud-based platforms such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma, has democratized access to professional design tools, expanding the market beyond traditional illustrators to marketers, educators, and digital creators.
Illustrators now often need proficiency in these digital tools and possibly multiple platforms for workflow. Moreover, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) investment in this sector is introducing AI-driven automation that can assist or partly automate tasks such as real-time asset generation, design suggestions, and retouching. This means illustrators may increasingly need to work alongside AI tools, managing complex workflows and maintaining creativity beyond automation.
The evolving illustration styles also require illustrators to be versatile and up-to-date with current visual trends to remain competitive and relevant. Trends in 2025 favor eco-conscious imagery, retro-futurism, minimalist line art, inclusive representation, mixed-media collage, and playful 3D illustrations.
The employment for illustrators often finds roles in marketing, media companies, publishers, or any business that needs branding and digital content. The rise of remote work options in this field broadens employment geography and accessibility. Advancement opportunities exist especially for those who diversify skills into related fields such as UI/UX design, social media management, and web design.
However, the illustration industry is not without its challenges. The comic book industry, for instance, has experienced a decline in the number of retailers and sales due to alleged predatory business practices, over-politicization, and reduced publications by major publishers like DC Comics. On the other hand, the ad agency sector has seen growth, particularly for freelancers.
The cannabis industry, with its branding needs, is currently experiencing growth, offering many opportunities for illustrators. Landon Armstrong, a sought-out educator and speaker by the likes of Adobe and the Art Institutes, has worked with clients ranging from punk bands, gaming companies, ad agencies, and internationally renowned brands such as Disney and Cirque Du Soleil.
An entry-level illustrator should have traditional art skills such as life drawing, colour theory, composition, storytelling, character and caricature drawing, 1-, 2-, and 3-point perspective, and typography. A strong portfolio is crucial for an illustrator starting out, as it often determines whether they get an interview or not. A positive attitude, willingness to learn, dependability, and being the hardest worker in the room can help an illustrator succeed.
In summary, employment for illustrators is characterized by modest market growth, increased competition, and changing job requirements emphasizing digital tool proficiency, AI familiarity, and adaptability to evolving illustration trends. Stable opportunities exist but require continuous skill development and an understanding of current market aesthetics and technologies.
- In the realm of visual storytelling, the rising demand for eco-conscious imagery suggests a shift in fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden lifestyle trends.
- The use of AI in automating tasks like real-time asset generation and retouching implies potential changes in career-development opportunities within the illustration field.
- The growth of the cannabis industry presents job-search possibilities for illustrators seeking employment in the area of relationships, as branding needs become paramount.
- The proliferation of cloud-based platforms like Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma democratizes access to food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and education-and-self-development tools for a wider market.
- The expansion of remote work options within the illustration industry offers travel opportunities for digital creators seeking new experiences and locations for inspiration.
- Diversifying skills into related fields like UI/UX design, social media management, and web design can lead to advancement opportunities in education-and-self-development and career-development.
- The continued growth of the design and creative software industry coincides with the increasing popularity of sports-themed apparel and merchandise in fashion-and-beauty, thanks to popular leagues such as WNBA, NBA, and NCAA Basketball.
- As professional illustrators need multiple platforms for workflow, pet owners might explore engaging illustrators to create personalized 3D pet illustrations for home-and-garden decor.
- The decline in comic book retailers and sales raises questions about pet-related job-search avenues, underscoring the need for a creative and adaptable approach to finding opportunities.
- Those aspiring to become illustrators should pursue learning skills-training in traditional art techniques, such as life drawing and perspective, while maintaining a positive attitude and work ethic, ensuring personal-growth and success in this dynamic field.
