Illustrator
Draw images for books, press, packaging, games and brands — usually freelance, always to a brief.
Save this career to see your personalized pathway in My Senda.
- Typical pay
- €18k–€48k
- Usual education
- Portfolio based
- Outlook
- Freelance-heavy; a recognisable style and consistent delivery bring repeat clients.
A day in the life
Read the brief, send roughs, take feedback, render the final artwork, deliver files and invoice — often with three projects overlapping.
Ways in
- Illustration degree
- FP in graphic design
- Self-taught portfolio and commissions
What to study at 16
The subjects you choose for the final years of secondary school can shape which degrees, exams and careers are easiest to reach. This is about choosing courses, not choosing a school.
Spain
Bachillerato de Artes
Portugal
Línguas e Humanidades
France
Bac technologique
Italy
Liceo classico / scienze umane
Netherlands
Profiel Cultuur & Maatschappij
Belgium
KSO – Artistic secondary
Skills that matter
Best courses to take
The study routes that lead most directly into this career.
BA Graphic Design
Typography, branding and visual storytelling with a portfolio focus.
Broader design base if you want steadier studio work.
Helpful school subjects: Art, Design
Graphic Design and Print (Grado Superior)
Layout, typography, branding and pre-press production.
Two-year vocational entry with real production skills.
Helpful school subjects: Typography, Layout, Branding
BA Illustration
Drawing, narrative image-making, digital techniques and building a commissioned portfolio.
Builds the portfolio commissions are won with.
Helpful school subjects: Drawing, Digital illustration, Narrative image, Portfolio