An informal class on Illustration in today’s digital world.
The oldest illustrations date back to 15,000 B.C. They are found in caves near Lascaux, France. Still today, 17,000 years later, Illustrators are still employed in many industries and to achieve different results. Early history will say that Illustration has had its golden age already back when photography was not yet invented; but I digress.
The art of creating visuals, whether they be photorealistic or completely fantastical, is still quite alive today. New methods of creating have opened the world of visual art to many. Software has many built-in features that can help even the most novice artist create a solid piece within its digital space. Most classically trained, professional Illustrators still use pencil and paper or other analog tools at some part of their process, in combination with digital methods.
What about AI?
The internet provides reference tools for modern illustrators as well as a bank of inspiration to pull from. Artificial Intelligence has also joined the art space. Where in graphic design, AI use is more tolerated, the Illustration world feels quite differently.
Because the artists whose work the AI is learning from are not getting compensated this presents an ethical problem from the start. The next problem arises when companies would rather punch in prompts and use a badly conceived image for their purposes; often resulting in ridicule and shame. AI is not trained in composition, mood, emotions, and humanity, so it cannot yet produce illustrations that would pass as human-made just yet.
Today’s Jobs in Illustration
Jobs include a wide range of possibilities. Editorial, book/novel art, medical, scientific, concept art, botanical, advertising, and architectural are some of the few opportunities that are out there today for creatives.
Today’s illustrators no longer carry a portfolio with them but opt for having a digital gallery of their work to present to prospective clients, with most creative jobs requiring some sort of online portfolio. Opportunities can also arise in social media, or other design platforms like Behance or Etsy.
