Illustration or Graphic Design?
This is less of a practice or prompt, but a side discussion between potential careers as an Illustrator or Graphic Designer (source California College of the Arts).
https://www.cca.edu/newsroom/illustration-vs-graphic-design-which-one-best-major-you/#:~:text=Illustration%20majors%20use%20their%20art,learning%20to%20create%20specific%20images.
While these majors have some similarities, they also have differences in their curriculum and job prospects.
Illustration majors use their art to tell a story. Where graphic designers focus on a piece's entire look, including colors, fonts, and layouts, illustration majors are more concerned with learning to create specific images.
Illustration programs teach students to use both drawing and digital art tools to make works that reinforce the message of a book, article, story, or website.
Graphic designers work on a range of different projects, from print ads to product packaging. Their task is to give a campaign or product a particular feel or brand that comes across visually. Graphic designers are very team-oriented – they often interface with clients, art directors, marketers, executives, and other designers. There's also a large freelance market for graphic designers – about 20% in the U.S. are self-employed.
Like graphic designers, illustrators can work in many different environments, but are traditionally employed by publishers: businesses that produce magazines, newspapers, books, journals, etc.
There is also an increasing need today for digital illustrators who can create graphics for websites and software.
Specialty illustrators who create designs for fields like medicine, biology, and chemistry are also in demand.
Like most concerns about what to study, the answer to this question ultimately depends on you.
If you're skilled at drawing and sketching and like the idea of creating art that reinforces the message of an accompanying article, story, or essay, illustration might be the choice for you.
On the other hand, if you enjoy working in a team and want to create more comprehensive designs that use color, layout, lines, and space to convey a brand or feeling across a variety of mediums, graphic design could be your better choice.
The two fields aren't mutually exclusive: there are plenty of graphic designers with illustration skills, just like there are illustrators versed in graphic design.
Both fields have a similar outlook when it comes to pay and job opportunities, and they're both good decisions for an artist who desires self-employment.
To decide which major is best for you, learn as much as you can about both, talk to professors and professionals in each field, and choose the one that speaks to your artistic vision and passions.
Here is another source with subtle but helpful insights on the two differences: (Source: June Escalada in an article in IllustratorHow)
https://illustratorhow.com/graphic-designer-vs-illustrator/
The biggest difference between graphic designers and illustrators is their purpose of work and the tools they use for work.
Graphic design is more commercial oriented and illustration is more art-oriented. So the major difference between a graphic designer and an illustrator is their job functions and the tools they use.
Now let’s get deeper into the topic of the difference between a graphic designer and an illustrator.
A graphic designer creates visual concepts (mostly commercial designs) using design software. Drawing skill is not a must for a graphic designer, but it’s helpful to sketch out ideas before creating a design on a computer.
A graphic designer can do logo design, branding, poster, packaging design, ads, web banners, etc. Basically, making artwork and text look good together to deliver a message or sell a product.
However, not every graphic designer can illustrate well, that’s why many design agencies hire illustrators. An illustrator does the drawing part, then a graphic designer put together the drawing and typography nicely.
An illustrator creates original designs (mostly drawings) for commercials, publications, or fashion using multiple mediums including traditional media such as pen, pencil, and brushes.
Some illustrators create graphic illustrations, so besides the hand-drawing tools, they also use digital programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Sketch, Inkscape, etc.
Yes, an illustrator does draw a lot and some people think that being an illustrator is almost like an artist’s job. But no, it’s different because an illustrator works for clients upon request while an artist usually creates based on his/her own feeling.
Illustrators work more as “interpreters”, especially publishing illustrators because they need to communicate with the author/writer and convert the text content into an illustration. Their work purpose is less commercial but more educational.
Is an illustrator a good career?
Yes, it can be a good career especially if you’re an art lover who likes freedom for work because most illustrators work as freelancers. According to Indeed, the average salary of an illustrator in the US is around $54 per hour. (2023).
What qualifications do you need for graphic design?
Besides learning the design tools, creativity is the most important quality you should have as a graphic designer. Other requirements include good communication skills, stress handling, and time management are all important qualities that a graphic designer should have. Learn more from this graphic design statistics page.