Job profile: technical illustrator

The work of a technical illustrator may involve:

• discussing requirements, and agreeing the brief and contract with the client
• talking to designers, technical authors and engineers to gain a better understanding of the product
• visiting manufacturing or production sites to view the systems or equipment to be illustrated
• creating ideas that suit the brief
• using drawing, sketching, painting or photographic skills and, increasingly, computer packages, to create and produce illustrations
• consulting with their client, seeking approval at all stages of development and making any changes as required, until gaining final approval.

Self-employed technical illustrators also have to promote their services to potential clients, and need to keep records and accounts.

Employed illustrators work normal office hours, from Monday to Friday. Self-employed illustrators' hours vary according to the pressure of work and the need to meet deadlines. Most illustrators work at home or in a studio.

Illustrators in permanent jobs may earn between £14,000 and £40,000 a year. A few may earn much more than this. Self-employed illustrators charge a fee for each illustration or project.

Technical illustrators need:

• excellent drawing and IT skills
• an eye for detail and design
• precise, accurate and clear presentation skills
• a strong interest in, and an understanding of, science and technology.

Employers include design studios, multimedia and web publishers, manufacturers, film and television companies and computer games producers. There are a small number of jobs with scientific and technical publishers. Some technical illustrators are self-employed and work freelance.

Most technical illustrators have an HND or degree in an art and design subject, although it is possible to become a technical illustrator without any specific qualifications. For general information about becoming an illustrator, see Illustrator.

Technical illustration is open to any illustrator with a good understanding of science or technology. However, there are also two courses that specialise in technical illustration:

• Degree in Information Illustration
• Degree in Scientific and Natural History Illustration.
• Courses last three years full time and are offered at Blackpool and The Fylde College.

Success for a freelance illustrator depends on building up a reputation and a steady flow of work. There may be opportunities to progress, if employed, to supervisory or management level positions.

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