Earning a degree in illustration, or something similar, such as graphic design,
or animation, will introduce you to the process for creating technical illustrations, and give you
the training to pursue a career as a technical illustrator. Through your training as a technical
illustrator, you will have the opportunity to learn and practice techniques that will help you to
create and develop both two-dimensional and three-dimensional sketches or designs. You will gain
experience in gesture drawing, layout design, perspective basics, and in using computer-assisted design
software to create digital illustrations. As you work toward the completion of your degree in illustration,
you will also be able to develop a portfolio of your completed projects, which will help you when looking
for jobs in technical illustration.
Technical illustrators may specialize in a particular field such as commercials, motion
pictures, television, or digital illustrations. As a technical illustrator you may also decide to be self-employed
and offer your services to advertising agencies, design firms, publishing houses and other businesses on a
contract basis. Well-trained technical illustrators are and will continue to be in great demand, and qualified
to earn substantial salaries in career fields such as film and television, advertising, publishing, computer game
design, and animation.
The average salary for technical illustrators is around $45,000 a year, and up to
$60,000 a year in the motion picture, and print ad industries.
