Commercial Artists create artwork to illustrate or promote products, services, and ideas, as well as art work used to improve appearance or attract attention. They plan, design, and draw illustrations for displays, billboards, brochures, catalogs, books, magazines, newspapers, television, the Internet, and packaging.

JOB DUTIES

Commercial Artists may work independently or as part of a team which includes other illustrators, graphic designers, and an art director.

Illustrators may:

Study the design layout or proposed sketch

Select the techniques best suited to produce the desired visual effect and to conform to the printing method specified Formulate the concept and create the design

Provide details from memory, live models, manufactured products, or reference materials

Discuss the illustration at various stages of completion with appropriate individuals and make necessary changes or solve problems

Graphic Designers may:

Create designs, concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge or layout principles and esthetic design concepts

Confer with a client to plan the layout design

Determine the size and arrangement of the illustrative material and copy to be used

Paint or draw a sample of the finished advertisement for approval Use computer software to generate images

Prepare notes and instructions for workers who assemble and prepare final layouts for printing

Review the final layout and suggest improvements as needed

Operate personal computer systems to draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations and other art work

Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrators, company logos, and Internet websites

Art Directors may:

Assign and direct staff members to develop concepts into art layouts and prepare the layouts for printing

Direct commercial photographers

Direct illustrators in illustrating details not suitable for presentation by photography, or in drawing figures, backgrounds, or objects to be used in advertising

Examine illustrations and layouts prepared by the customer and suggest changes for a more effective result

Confer with clients or staff on budget, presentation approaches, styles, and related production factors

Formulate layout design concepts and conduct research to select illustrative material and typography

Inspect and approve illustrative page layouts

Present the final layouts to clients or department heads for approval

To view a brief video click here .

The equipment and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Commercial Artists may specialize in these areas:

141.061-022 ILLUSTRATORS draw and paint illustrations for advertisements, books, magazines, posters, billboards, and catalogs to explain or adorn the printed or spoken word.

141.061-018 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS design the art and copy layouts for material to be presented in such media as books, magazines, newspapers, television, and product packages.

141.031-010 ART DIRECTORS put together ideas and supervise workers engaged in preparing layout designs for art work and copy to be presented by packaging and visual communications media, such as magazines, books, newspapers, television, the internet and posters.

141.061-026 MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATORS plan and draw illustrations that show normal anatomy as well as pathology and patient treatment, including surgery. They are required to have both art skills and knowledge of biological sciences.

141.061-010 CARTOONISTS draw cartoons for publications to amuse readers and to interpret or illustrate news highlights, advertising, stories, or articles. Some Cartoonists work with others who create the story or idea and write the captions.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Commercial Artists may work alone or as part of a team with an Art Director giving general supervision. Many Illustrators are free-lance Artists who will generally have a constant set of clients for a base income along with new jobs.

Working conditions may vary according to the type of artwork being prepared and the employer. Generally, Commercial Artists work in clean, well lighted areas in such places as office buildings, art studios, department stores, or printing or industrial plants. Odors from glues, paints, inks, or other materials may be present. Medical and Scientific Illustrators spend time in laboratories or in hospital operating rooms. Artists spend much time standing or sitting at a drawing board/work table, or sitting at a computer workstation.

Salaried Commercial Artists usually work 35 to 40 hours a week. They may be required to work irregular hours or overtime during emergencies to meet a deadline. Free-lance Artists may have flexible, irregular, and long hours.

Employers generally provide all supplies and equipment.

Commercial Artists are usually not unionized although they may be required to join a union in some organizations. Depending upon their area of specialization, they may belong to advertising clubs, local art associations, and other organizations. Medical illustrators may belong to the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) . Members must pay periodic fees.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities concerned with communicating ideas to people

• Activities which require creative imagination

• Activities which provide satisfaction from seeing your work in print

You Should Be Able To:

• Reason logically

• Create new ideas

• Understand the meaning of words and use language effectively

• Make decisions based on personal judgment

• Interpret feelings, ideas, or facts artistically

• Accept criticism of your work

• Influence people's opinions, attitudes, or judgments

• Understand the two-dimensional representation of objects

• Perceive details in objects or drawings

• See differences in their shapes or shadings

• Coordinate and plan entire activities, if an Art Director

• Move your fingers and handle small objects rapidly and accurately

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Determine how you will center an eight inch graphic on a 11" x 24" piece of paper.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Unity occurs when all the elements in a design combine to form a consistent whole. Unity resembles balance and a design has unity if its masses are balanced or if its tones and color harmonize.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You are asked to produce a graphic for a potential client. Write an estimate for the job.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Creative thinking is required. Most of the time you are working in a competitive situation and need to be aware of what the public finds appealing, trying to stay one step ahead of the competition.

Most employers prefer graduates from a 4-year art school trained in technical and commercial skills. In graphic arts, applicants with demonstrated talent, training, and experience are preferred. Commercial Artists in fields such as scientific and medical illustration need related specialized training.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

ART, CAREERS COMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTERS, MATH, PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

047 GRAPHIC/PRINTING COMMUNICATIONS

Approved vocational education programs in Graphic and Printing Communications prepare students to design and execute layouts and illustrations for advertising displays and instructional manuals. Students may also be prepared in all phases of offset printing, layout, composition, presswork and binding, and other graphic arts related to the printing industry.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

143 PRINTING, GRAPHICS & COMMERCIAL ART

Programs in Printing, Graphics, and Commercial Art provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment communicating ideas or stimulating interest in industrial products using pictorial or printed media. Employment is available in the printing industry and in many branches of advertising. Individuals who teach Printing, Graphics, and Commercial Art at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses vary among schools and areas of interest but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com .

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS AND ILLUSTRATORS

The military produces many publications, such as training manuals, newspapers, reports, and promotional materials. Graphic artwork is used in these publications and for signs, charts, posters, and TV and motion picture productions. Graphic designers and illustrators produce graphic artwork, drawing, and other visual displays.

What They Do

Graphic designers and illustrators in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Produce computer-generated graphics

• Draw graphs and charts to represent budgets, numbers of troops, supply levels, and office organization

• Develop ideas and design posters and signs

• Help instructors design artwork for training courses

• Draw illustrations of parts of the human body for medical training

• Draw cartoons for filmstrips and animation for films

• Make silkscreen prints

• Work with TV and film producers to design backdrops and props for film sets

Physical Demands

Coordination of eyes, hands, and fingers are needed to draw sketches.

Normal color vision is required to work with paints, watercolors, and other art materials.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include art, drafting, and geometry. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in artwork or lettering

• Ability to convert ideas into visual presentations

• Neatness and an eye for detail

Work Environment

Graphic designers and illustrators usually work in offices on land or aboard ships.

Training Provided

Job training consists of about 12 weeks of classroom instruction including practice in preparing graphic designs and illustrations. Course content typically includes:

• Introduction to graphics, lettering drawing, and layout techniques

• Illustration and television graphic techniques

• Theory and use of color

The Army, Navy, and Marine Corps offer certified apprenticeship programs for some specialties in this occupation.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian graphic designers and illustrators work for government agencies, advertising agencies, print shops, and engineering firms. They also work for many large organizations that have their own graphics department. Their duties are similar to military graphic designers and illustrators. They may be known as commercial artists or graphic arts technicians.

Opportunities

. The military offer job training for graphic designers and illustrators. After job training, graphic designers prepare tables, signs, and graphics under close supervision. With experience, they help formulate and produce more complex designs. In time, they may supervise others and lead large projects. Eventually, they may manage graphics departments.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Postsecondary programs in printing, graphics, and commercial art may offer experience. Working on the school yearbook or newspaper or preparing stage sets, bulletin boards, or posters is helpful. Further experience can come from creating posters, layouts, or illustrations for church and community groups. Part-time or summer work may be available in commercial art studios. Secondary vocational education programs in graphic and printing communications and related military training may be helpful also.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Bookbinder employer

internships

volunteer work with a Bookbinder employer

community service work with an agency

Most Commercial Artists find jobs by applying directly to company art or advertising directors. Local art circles, referrals from Art Directors, school placement offices, and Michigan Works! may be helpful in locating positions. Government jobs may be found by contacting civil service offices. Applicants assemble portfolios of their work to show to potential employers.

Some free-lance Artists hire a business representative or agent to market their work by presenting portfolios to prospective clients. However, Cartoonists submit dozens of samples of their work directly to publications or syndicates, in hopes of getting a contract. Both artists may have another profession until they can make a living as a Commercial Artist. Free-Lance work, working for minimum wage, and working on commission are becoming ways to enter this field. More opportunities for entry-level artists are available in smaller agencies. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Commercial Artists' earnings depend on skill, education, type of artwork, geographic area, and the employer. The earnings of a free-lance Commercial Artist may vary according to the artist's individual fees and reputation, as well as the nature and amount of artwork sold.

Nationally in early 2008, Designers, including Graphic Designers, had a median annual salary of $53,000 per year. Technical Illustrators averaged $46,500 per year in early 2008, with most earning from $40,000 to $48,900. Cartoonists working for magazines earned a fee per each cartoon. Syndicates act as a negotiator or go-between to market cartoons to newspapers globally. Some syndicated cartoonists may earn several hundred thousand dollars a year.

Inexperienced Illustrators employed by the federal government started at the GS-5 level with annual earnings in 2008 of $26,264. They may advance to the GS-12 level with a maximum salary of $75,025. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

The earnings of Commercial Artists in the Great Lakes States, which includes Michigan, averaged about $53,700 per year early 2008.

Graphic Arts Designers employed by the State of Michigan earned $31,905 to $57,357 per year in early 2008. Illustrators working for the City of Detroit earned $34,400 to $37,600 (early 2008).

The 2006 graduates of Michigan secondary vocational education programs who entered jobs related to this occupation averaged about $ 20,779per year in 2007.

Many salaried Commercial Artists receive paid vacations and holidays; accident and health insurance; sick leave, and pension plans. Artists who work for governmental agencies receive the same benefits as other government workers do. Some firms offer salaried employees savings and stock investment plans.

Advancement depends on an individual's talent, creative ability, and education. Some Artists open their own studios. Those with managerial ability may become Art Directors.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were more than 260,800 Commercial Artists employed in 2006. Employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016. About 25.4% of all artists were self-employed. The industry distribution of graphic artists looked liked this;

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

Many commercial artists "free-lance" also. This means that they must essentially run their own business and market their own work. As the fields of advertising and design continue to expand with the economy, Commercial Artists with average ability and little specialized training are expected to encounter competition for beginning jobs and have limited advancement opportunities. Increased Internet advertising will result in favorable employment opportunities.

The demand for Commercial Artists may vary according to specialization or type. The demand for free-lance artists is expected to increase, while jobs for Art Directors and Graphic Designers will be fewer and open only to experienced, highly talented, and creative artists. One area of growth is in visual advertising such as television graphics, packaging displays, and poster and window displays. Another is industrial design which is expected to require more qualified artists to do 3-dimensional work with engineering concepts. Job seekers should receive a good education and seek work in an urban area. Training and experience on personal computer systems is necessary. As the fields of advertising and design continue to expand with the economy, commercial Artists with average ability and little specialized training are expected to encounter severe competition for beginning jobs and have limited advancement opportunities.

Approximately 6,550 Commercial Artists are employed in Michigan. Most worked in urban areas. They were employed by advertising firms, commercial art studios, television studios, sign shops, manufacturing firms, college graphics departments, a variety of businesses, or were self- employed. Commercial Artists also work for government agencies.

Employment of Commercial Artists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. An average of 160 annual openings is expected, with 70 due to growth and 90 to replacement of those who retire, die or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur to replace workers who transfer to other jobs or occupations.

Opportunities in commercial art may vary according to business conditions, especially advertising expenditures. The best markets for Commercial Artists are metropolitan areas. Most of the commercial art work in the Detroit area is related to Auto Manufacturing and some machine tool advertising. With the advent of desk-top publishing fewer artists are needed for layout work. Experience with desk-top publishing on computers and specific software used in design work is necessary for jobseekers. A portfolio with work samples is a must.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2014

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

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Copyright © 2008 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth