What Is Graphic Illustration? | Blog
Graphic illustration can be found on flyers, fabrics such as book jackets, advertising, packaging, posters, and websites. Graphic illustration helps communicate ideas visually, convey messages, sell merchandise, instruct students and help promote companies. In our increasingly visual world this is an essential part of every day life. However, the realm of graphic illustration can be difficult to define.
What does graphic illustration, and what is the main difference between illustration graphic design, or other forms of visual communication? What is the way graphic illustrators different from other types of designers and artists? What type of work does they perform?
In this article, we'll dive into the history of illustration, examining how it evolved into a profession. Also, we'll explore the variety of graphic illustration artists, examining the special tools, techniques, and the skills that they utilize to create their work. Finally, we'll compare and contrast graphic illustration with different types of design and graphic art and give you an understanding of how to differentiate between the two. If you've been interested about the world of graphic illustration--or are curious about what you need to do to be a accomplished graphic illustrators--read on.
The Basics of Illustration
Turn your low-key drawings into artwork prints, digital designs, and many more, with Jon Burgerman.
A Short History of Illustration
Illustrations are pictures that is used to convey information, teach, or create a visual display. Over the course of tens and thousands of years, humans use illustrations to convey stories, express ideas and promote specific messages. Prehistoric cave paintings, like those found in Asia as well as Europe, are considered some of the earliest types of illustrations. Ancient humans and even Neanderthals painted images of their herd of hunter scenes and animals employing charcoal, clay and various other pigments that naturally occur in caves and on rock surfaces. There are many scholars who believe that these earlier images were made not just as a means of ornamentation, but also a way to communicate with other people and to promote certain information about animals, hunting grounds, and religious experiences.
Early Civilization
As civilizations developed all over the world, human beings relied on illustration for communication and entertainment. In ancient Egypt, a set of codified illustrated characters combined with types of symbols--later known as hieroglyphics--became the main method of communication. Illustrations of gods, pharaohs and feasts, wars, and famines were incorporated into papyrus scrolls, burial chambers, Sarcophagi and sites of worship. In ancient Greece and Rome illustrated scenes of gods, myths, political leaders, and scenes of everyday life often decorated art, mosaic tiles, and drinking vessels. In the early days of India the scroll paintings depicting Hindu Gods and Goddesses were painted from the beginning of the fifth century B.C.E as well as early Buddhist frescos were first illustrated only three centuries later. In Mesoamerica the archaic-era tribes produced pictographs, as well as other designs on the walls of rock as well as animal skins, wood, and skulls. The tradition of Chinese illustrative painting began in 450 B.C.E. and is among the oldest formalized ornamental traditions across the globe. In the past, artists used ink or colored pigments on silk, paper as well as ceramics to create stunningly detailed landscapes, human figures and botanical designs - and some continue to paint in this way to this day.
The Middle Ages and Beyond
In the European Middle Ages, Christian religious groups began creating hand-drawn manuscripts that illustrated the Bible along with other sacred texts. Monks dedicated their lives to creating or copying books and relied heavily on illustrations that are well drawn to communicate the most significant tales and concepts for a majority of the population who were not literate. Illustration also flourished during the time of Islamic countries during the Middle Ages and beyond. Muslim artists have traditionally concentrated on transforming illustrative calligraphy to a graphic art style as well as creating beautiful and innovative artworks based on the Koran's text itself.
Through the development of printing presses in both China as well as Europe, illustrations took on an increased importance. Woodcuts and engraved prints allowed 15th-century artists to create works that could reach a larger public. Artists began to use illustrations to convey all kinds of data: they could depict medicinal treatments, present agricultural and geographic information convey veterinary procedures as well as showcase inventions that were original, entertain audiences, and visually present scientific concepts. When printing technologies developed, so too did illustrations. By the 19th century, illustrations of art on the book jackets, interior pages, posters, newspapers, booklets, and prints were widespread and immensely popular. A lot of publishers put a large amount of money into hiring and retaining illustrators with the knowledge that the editorial books would sell much better with illustrations included.
Modern Illustration
In the 20th century, contemporary illustration began to come to its own. Prior to photography becoming a major visual medium of its own the illustrators were regarded as a reliable source for images that could convey specific scenes and messages. In times of war, American illustrators (now sometimes to referred to as "graphic illustrators") making use of modern methods of printing and drawing were called on to help inform the masses by creating images for posters of information as well as billboards and brochures. Many mid-century advertisements depended on illustrators to showcase their offerings in a captivating style. The companies collaborated with illustrators to develop their illustrations for logos, and publications like The Saturday Evening Post employed prominent illustrators such as Norman Rockwell to portray idealized images of families and the everyday American daily life.
From the 1940s to the 1950s, graphic illustration moved into television and film, when animators such as Walt Disney created carefully rendered cartoons to entertain and delight national audiences. The second decade into the 20th century digital platforms and technologies were invented. Graphic illustrators were called on to assist in the creation of games for video sites, mobile applications, web pages, cyber icons, and better user experiences for internet users who were new to the world.
Graphic illustrators today are employed in a wide spectrum of sectors, which include TV, publishing, film and the design of logos, digital media Web design, and many more. If an artistic illustration is needed to convey the idea, convey a message, sell products, entertain an audience, or depict a scene Graphic illustrators are the ideal person to bring it to life.
What are Graphic Illustration artists do?
Graphic illustration artists are known for their creativity, dexterity as well as their ability to create visually interesting images--by hand or with the help of digital pen and pointer tools. To become a graphic illustration artist, you'll require a determination to work hard and an aptitude for creative expression. There are many other methods to get yourself ready for a career in the field, too.
A few graphic artists pursue a bachelor's diploma in art, design or illustration. Some go on to pursue postsecondary degrees as well. While in school graphic illustrators study the building blocks of design. They also develop the skills they'll require to establish a distinctive individual style. Courses often cover drawing, painting as well as art history, digital illustration, business basics as well as entrepreneurial techniques also. These are all skills crucial for graphic designers when they begin their careers within the field.
Once a graphic illustration artist graduates from school and/or develops an impressive portfolio that showcases the style they prefer, customers are able to hire them on a freelance either full-time, part-time or on a regular basis to create works for publications, books advertising, digital work as well as other.
Depending on the type of artwork they design Some graphic illustrators rely on conventional materials like pens, pencils, or even paint to make distinctive design. They often convert their hand-drawn artwork into digital programs as the last step, using the added tools to edit and publish their artwork. Graphic illustrators are also among those who work mostly using digital instruments, using computer-based programs to create the lines, shapes and shadows they need.
Forms and colors in Graphic Illustration
Find out "the the language of colors" and find new ways to look for inspiration.
Tool of the Trade
Modern graphic illustrators use a range of analog and digital methods to create their work. It could be one or more of the following.
- Many graphic illustrators use a personal computer or laptop with a crisp display monitor and a fast processing speed. Since the initial Adobe applications were designed specifically to run on Apple PCs, graphic designers typically prefer Macs instead of PCs. However, now the fact that Adobe and other illustration programs work just as well for Microsoft operating systems, the standard of industry has started to shift. Now more than any time, the main factor for an illustrator who is looking to purchase the best computer is to know their requirements and invest in equipment that works for them.
- A electronic drawing tablet is regarded as a must-have for graphic artists who wish to create drawings quickly and efficiently with a digital tool. This tablet allows illustrators to create illustrations naturally, and directly on their computer, avoiding the steps involved in scanning traditional pen and paper illustrations.
- The pointer tool such as either a stylus or mouse pen lets graphic artists to keep their artistic control intact and create the right forms, lines and shadows every time. Some illustrators take it a step further by using an ergonomically designed mouse that can make sure their wrists and elbows are secure while sketching the desired images.
- The Pantone references library will ensure that the colors graphic illustrators use in their artwork are correctly adjusted to their clients the color schemes they prefer This means there is less of a possibility for miscommunication or expensive printing errors later on.
- Adobe Creative Cloud often referred to as"the Adobe Suite, includes the digital applications that the majority of graphic illustrators use to design, edit, manage and distribute their artwork. Adobe software like Illustrator and InDesign are expensive however, they're essential for anyone hoping to work in the graphic illustration industry.
Graphic Illustration. Graphic Design
How does graphic illustration compare with other related professions in graphic art? The majority of the job--not to mention the tools, skills, and art history--of the profession may appear similar to graphic design. Even with all of the facts, it could be difficult to comprehend the differences.
Much of the information graphic illustration artists and graphic designers experience and use daily could be similar however there are three main differences between the two careers.
- They are able to focus on various concepts at the school. Graphic illustrators are primarily focused on developing their creative educations as they usually take classes in painting and drawing as well as courses on art history and digital illustration in their degree programs. Graphic designers, on the other hand, may be skilled artistically but tend to focus on product publishing, web design, or designs rather than improving their art skills.
- The solutions they design may appear very distinct. The graphic designer is mostly concerned with the way their original work looks. Graphic designers on the however, need to think about typography, color scheme, composition, and other visual elements that comprise the entirety of the project. They may even use an unaltered photograph to enhance projects, which is something that graphic illustrator may not do.
- They are hired by various reasons. A graphic illustrator's principal job is to draw and create new designs. They can work for companies doing things like product packaging and book illustrations, as well as jacket covers, comics, and logos for brand. Graphic designers, on contrary, are frequently asked to aid brands to create visual identities that is consistent with their advertising, or a user-friendly website. They can take a global approach to make sure that the visual communications efforts can be effective, consistent, and appropriate to clients who require their services.
What is the best way to be a professional Illustrator
Lisa Congdon uses a mock creative brief to guide students through creating a creative project from beginning to end.