How Do I Choose the Right Commercial Illustrator?
Finding the right commercial illustrator isn’t difficult. Finding the right illustrator for your project takes a little more work.
Every illustrator has a different style. Some specialize in children’s books. Others focus on advertising, editorial work or consumer packaging. If you’re creating a product that will end up on a store shelf, look for someone with experience in commercial illustration.
The first place to start is the portfolio. Don’t just look for artwork you like. Look for projects that are similar to yours. Has the illustrator worked with consumer products? Can they draw consistently? Can they work within an established brand style if the project calls for it?
Commercial illustration doesn’t end when the artwork is approved. The illustration has to reproduce well in print, on packaging, online and in advertising. Production schedules, revisions and deadlines are all part of the job.
A professional illustrator asks questions before starting. They want to understand the product, the audience and the goals of the project. Good communication usually leads to better artwork and fewer surprises.
If your project involves an existing brand character, ask whether the illustrator has experience matching established artwork. Customers expect familiar characters to look the same every time they see them.
Before you hire anyone, ask how revisions are handled, what files you’ll receive and who owns the finished artwork. Those details should be clear before the project begins.
The right illustrator becomes part of your creative team. They understand your goals, communicate clearly and deliver artwork that supports your brand.
Related Questions
-
- What does a commercial illustrator do? A commercial illustrators main responsibility is to listen to the client’s needs, find out the target market, age group, the purpose of the project and then turn those thoughts into a visual piece of art . An illustrator creates a story, a visual description to either sell a story, a product, a toy, a brand, a movie, or anything!
-
- How much does commercial illustration cost? Prices vary from illustrator to illustrator, but price is reflected in an individuals level of talent, years of expertise, and much also to the use of the illustration. Price fluctuates depeding if the illustration is for global use or just for a small local distribution. If global, the SAME art cost is much more due to the exposure and use. If the art will be only used on a product for a short limited time, such as a holiday, the cost will be lower than if the art will be used on a product or service indefinitely. Keep in mind and auto tech working on your car gets over $75 per hour, expect to pay double that at least for a talented illustrator, quadruple that number for a well experienced and known illustrator. Most illustrators price per project, but this hourly range would be a good start. Knowledge of how the art is created and how much time is actually needed plays a huge part in determining costs.
-
- Can AI replace a commercial illustrator? AI can replace art, but it can not replace the human connection of LISTENING, reading a person’s face and expressions as they describe the project. The actual human element can not be replaced. Remember that AI I wouldn’t be able to generate anything if humans did not create it, so all of these images are stollen pieces of art and human history.
-
- What file formats should I receive? The file formats that I send most of my illustrations are either .psd ( Adobe Photoshop), .ai ( Adobe illustrator), or .pdf files. The use of jpegs are for presentation uses only. These are just the software I personally use, and many other types are available. I can convert most any file to whatever file format my client need. However, changing from the original format, might change some editing aspects of the file and color changes as well as many effects that may be used in the original illustration.
-
- How long does a commercial illustration project take? Times vary as each project is unique as well as each illustrator’s work style, experience, and drive. The complexity of the technique or style of the illustration can change process time. A simple line art illustration compared to a very detailed illustration with textures will require more detailed effort. Remember that the price for an illustration isn’t dependent on the style or complexity of the project, it is the target audience, distribution, and time used. For an example Coke Cola needs a new logo for the entire company and the final art is a simple one color flat graphic CC. The cost for an image with that much corporate impact will be higher than a very complex and involved poster illustration that took weeks to complete for a local one store restaurant in a small town.
Need more help? Contact me today!
If you’re looking for an experienced commercial illustrator for consumer products, packaging or licensed characters, I’d be happy to discuss your project.
