Fashion Illustrator Career Profile, Salary & Job Outlook
What does a Fashion Illustrator do?
A Fashion Illustrator is a graphic designer that specializes in fashion. They draw clothing or accessories for designers, media outlets, or private clients. Illustrations may be of clothing on their own or appear on a figure. Fashion Illustrators work at live fashion events or collaborate with designers to turn their concepts into tangible drawings. They can also create illustrations for marketing and advertising materials or editorials for fashion outlets. The artist may use traditional drawing methods such as pencil and ink or work in digital formats.
How much does aFashion Illustrator make?
According to ZipRecruiter, Fashion Illustrators maintain a national annual salary of $50,910 with an hourly wage of $24.48. Entry-level fashion illustrators start around $32,000 annually. Senior-level fashion illustrators make a yearly average of $615,000. The range in salary widely depends on factors including skill, location, and seniority level.
What impact does this career have towards the fashion industry?
Fashion illustrators bring together fashion design and fine art. People who work in this field communicate fashion concepts visually for consumers. In addition, fashion illustrators help designers see their ideas physically early in the creative process.
What is the job outlook for aFashion Illustrator?
Global apparel revenue is forecasted to grow to $2.25 trillion by 2025. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for fashion designers (including Fashion Illustrators) are expected to show little to no change during the 2019-2029 decade (www.bls.gov).
How to kick-off your career:
- Study the human form; it’s important to accurately capture proportions, natural movement, and posture.
- Select your preferred media format (pencil, pen and ink, or digital) for creating.
- Explore the Parsons School of Design x Teen Vogue Fashion Industry Essentials online course.
- Download Yellowbrick’s Ultimate Fashion Career Guide.
Learn from:
Brandon Maxwell
Designer, Lady Gaga’s Stylist, Fashion Industry Essentials contributor
Related Careers:
Creative Director | Apparel Designer | Fabric Researcher | Accessories Designer | Footwear Designer | Pattern Cutter/Grader | Director of Merchandising & Design | Trend Forecaster | Graphic Designer | Textile Designer | Data Analyst | Garment Technologist
