Choosing a diploma or a certification is indeed difficult, especially if it is related to a creative field like Applied Arts Illustration. In this blog, we will not only help you choose a good program but also provide you information on what careers you can choose from after completing an Applied Arts Illustration Diploma Program.
What Applied Arts Illustration Is All About
Applied arts illustration deals with arts for practical purposes instead of just aesthetic reasons. This means that the art that is produced for purposes like communicating information, illustrations for magazines, graphics for print and other media, animation, visuals for promotional resources, etc. falls under this category. Illustration can be quite different from one another, and it mainly depends on what kind of medium it is used for.
Who Should Opt For Illustration?
If you like drawing, take an interest in creative art, graphics, and animation, and you enjoy experimenting with pencils or digital tools, then a career in illustration is for you. Despite the use of technology, traditional drawing techniques are evergreen in the field of illustration. People who like to experiment and are versatile in various styles and techniques can grow faster in this field.
Types of Diploma Programs
There are a number of universities and colleges that offer diplomas in illustration. However, many of these programs are combined with animation, graphic designing, etc. If you are looking to combine two or more subjects, then you can choose a dual program. However, if you are just interested in illustration, then you can check out Edison College’s Applied Arts Illustration Diploma. This comprehensive one-year illustration program specifically prepares students for a career in illustration. The program is designed in a way that students can learn the history of illustration along with theory, technical, and conceptual aspects. Moreover, it also teaches ways through which students can navigate the variety of illustration fields, such as editorial art, comics, graphic novels, picture books, etc. Courses in this program also cover analog and digital techniques, allowing each student to polish their skills and develop their own marketing style.
Career Opportunities
After getting a diploma in applied arts illustration (Online Art Illustration Course or illustration certificate programs online), you can have a career in magazine publishing, book publishing, children’s books, comic and graphic novels, fabric designs in textiles, animation and other related work, video game development, films, music albums, etc.
However, as we have discussed earlier, applied arts illustration is a field that overlaps with other fields as well, such as animation, graphic designing, game development, etc. Therefore, it solely depends upon the interest of the person and how he or she wants to develop their career. You can also pursue further education if you want to develop your skills in any particular specialization, but it all depends on what you want.
Job Prospects, Freelancing
The median salary of an illustrator in Canada is $29.60 per hour, according to the Job Bank. Conversely, the starting salary of an illustrator is generally low. For instance, the median low salary of illustrators in Canada is $19.23 per hour, while in some provinces it is below $16 per hour. However, the median high salary is $46.63 per hour in Canada, while Newfoundland and Labrador offer the highest salary in the country, i.e., $65.93 per hour. Like many creative fields, one has to make his or her own mark in illustration, and this means that the initial few months can be challenging for some.
Nevertheless, a low salary at the start of the career is compensated as a number of illustrators start their own business once they have their own client base. Many illustrators also work as freelancers, and for this, a good training in marketing can be very useful. Illustrators carefully present their portfolio, and unless they know how to market themselves, it becomes very difficult for them to get more work and grow their profile.
Conclusion
By now, you have a fair idea about the field of illustration. As you can notice throughout this blog, this field is rewarding, but for those who can channelize their talent and plan their careers well. You can also notice that a career in illustration provides diverse career opportunities. It is very important for a student to do thorough research about the available programs on the market and then see what programs can better polish their natural talent. Just go through the website of the program and see what courses they offer and how much the program aligns with your interests. Look for those programs that are offered by recognized colleges so that once you complete your program, you can have a better platform to start your career. If you still have questions or need any career guidance, our admissions advisors can help you. Contact us today to learn more about any of these programs.
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