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Illustrator

Also called inker, drawer, penciler

Illustrators provide a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text or idea. Illustrators can work for books, magazines, journals, comic books and other publications.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects40 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering professionalsWhat does it pay?Above averageFrom about €2,000 (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Science and engineering professionalsWill AI change it?ModeratelyLevel 4 of 6. AI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.Graphic and multimedia designers · ILO

What you'd do

Graphic and multimedia designers · ILO
  • Determining the objectives and constraints of the design brief by consulting with clients and stakeholders
  • Undertaking research and analysing functional communication requirements
  • Formulating design concepts for the subject to be communicated
  • Preparing sketches, diagrams, illustrations and layouts to communicate design concepts
  • Designing complex graphics and animation to satisfy functional, aesthetic and creative requirements of the design brief
  • Creating two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modelling programmes
  • Negotiating design solutions with clients, management, sales and production staff
  • Selecting, specifying or recommending functional and aesthetic materials and media for publication, delivery or display
  • Detailing and documenting the selected design for production
  • Supervising or carrying out production in the chosen media
Follow a briefFinish project within budgetGather reference materials for artworkPerform ideation activitiesFollow work schedule+ 7 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Some contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually under 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines now and then
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering professionals in the EU
5.82m7.82m9.03m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
948,000 new jobs 2,300,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering professionals40
All jobs29
Right now
0 of 27 countries report a shortage of graphic and multimedia designers, 18 a surplus.
Graphic and multimedia designers · EURES

What does it pay?

Above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €2,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in law is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 90%Vocational 6%General secondary 3%Basic schooling 1%
Fields that teach it
Law · Audio-visual techniques and media production
Vocational route, EU
Fewer than 1 in 10 trainees in this field
Business and law graduates in a matching job
66% in the EU

1,314 institutions in the EU offer business and law bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Moderately

AI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.49 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 10 tasks
Creating two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modelling programmes0.61
Formulating design concepts for the subject to be communicated0.58
Preparing sketches, diagrams, illustrations and layouts to communicate design concepts0.56
Detailing and documenting the selected design for production0.55
Undertaking research and analysing functional communication requirements0.53
Designing complex graphics and animation to satisfy functional, aesthetic and creative requirements of the design brief0.52
Selecting, specifying or recommending functional and aesthetic materials and media for publication, delivery or display0.42
Determining the objectives and constraints of the design brief by consulting with clients and stakeholders0.41
Supervising or carrying out production in the chosen media0.38
Negotiating design solutions with clients, management, sales and production staff0.37

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for graphic and multimedia designers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).