Illustrator Career in South Africa
Explore the official OFO occupation, common tasks, specialisations and approved South African qualification pathways.
Occupation overview
Plans, designs, develops, and prepares pictures and diagrams to communicate messages, clarify meaning, assist in presentations and illustrate stories using traditional and digital media such as drawing, painting, drafting, collage, models, photography, and image capture and manipulation software.
What does a Illustrator do?
Illustrators turn ideas, information and stories into visual images that help people understand a message, follow a presentation or engage with written content. They may work by drawing, painting, drafting, making models, taking photographs, or creating and editing images with digital software. Possible areas include animation, book illustration, book design and technical illustration.
Specialisations
How to become a Illustrator in South Africa
- Develop drawing, visual communication and image-making skills using both traditional and digital methods.
- Practise creating illustrations for different purposes, such as stories, presentations, books and technical explanations.
- Learn to use relevant image-capture, image-manipulation and digital illustration software.
- Build a portfolio that shows a range of styles, techniques and completed visual projects.
- Seek feedback from teachers, mentors, clients or other creative professionals and improve your work accordingly.
Edupstairs Preparation Guidance
There is no single universal qualification pathway indicated for this career. Relevant education or training can help develop artistic, design and digital skills, but a strong portfolio and the ability to communicate ideas visually are also important. Compare current study and training options with accredited providers or the relevant quality council, and check what employers or clients expect in the area of illustration you want to enter.
Useful school subjects
- English
- Visual Arts
- Computer Applications Technology
- Information Technology
- Engineering Graphics and Design
Skills that may help
- Drawing and visual composition
- Creative thinking
- Visual storytelling
- Traditional art techniques
- Digital illustration and image manipulation
- Photography and image capture
- Attention to detail
- Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly