What is an Editorial Illustration?

An editorial illustration is a graphic art that sits alongside text in a magazine, journal, newspaper or online platform with the intention to communicate and build on a story.

Editorial illustration is a popular creative discipline, with demand for talented illustrators rising in the digital age. Learn more about this fascinating field from Skillshare Original classes with experts in the industry.

It is a visual representation of text

Editorial illustration is a form of art that involves the visual representation of text. It is used in publications such as magazines, newspapers and websites to enhance the content and increase the interest of the audience.

The illustrations created by editorial illustrators are often conceptual artworks. This type of illustration aims to reflect and build on the content of the article or respond to a brief from an art director.

They can be drawn in a variety of styles and materials, depending on the context of the work. For example, a graphic designer might use different colors to draw attention to certain points in the story or to create a mood.

This way, the reader can better understand the story and the concept. However, it is important to be aware that the illustration has to complement and not clash with the text.

A good editorial illustration will make the text more interesting and fun to read. It will also help to evoke feelings in the audience and encourage them to read the whole piece.

There are several ways to start working as an editorial illustrator, but the first step is to prepare a portfolio that contains 10 to 15 high-quality works in your style. This will help you to get your foot in the door with an art director.

Besides that, you should always keep in mind the client’s expectations and make sure you pass them. This will make your job easier and it will be something that you will enjoy doing.

In addition, you should try to find a job that fits your personal style and a company that can pay you well. The most common way to find a job is through LinkedIn, but you can also apply for editorial jobs on freelance websites and in print media.

Another way to find a job is through your local art gallery or a design agency. Usually, this way, the commissions are more regular and the clients are willing to pay a fair price.

If you want to become an editorial illustrator, you need to know how to think creatively and process ideas into visuals. Whether you’re a very literal or more abstract illustrator, this will be crucial to your success in this field.

It is a communication tool

Editorial illustration is an art form that sits alongside a text in a magazine, journal, newspaper or online platform to reflect and build on the words. It can cover a range of topics from social justice to book reviews and is often used to help convey an idea or theme.

Editorial illustrations are a great way to communicate ideas visually and make it easier for people to understand complex concepts. They can also add excitement and interest to a story and help readers relate to the person depicted in the image.

It can be difficult to get into the world of editorial illustration, especially if you’re just starting out as an illustrator, but it’s not impossible. There are plenty of resources available to help you find work and start building a portfolio.

You can find editorial illustration jobs through illustration agencies, directly from publishing houses or by writing to people you know who might be able to help. However, if you are serious about becoming an editorial illustrator you will need to have a good portfolio and be ready to commit to working on projects with deadlines that are strict.

As an editorial illustrator, your primary responsibility is to deliver illustrations that are both creative and visually pleasing. This means that you need to be a strong visual thinker, as well as being able to draw quickly and accurately.

Another important aspect of the role is to be a reliable and consistent collaborator with art directors. This is vital, as they commission a lot of editorial work and are under a great deal of pressure to meet deadlines. It is therefore very important that you are communicative and flexible, but also open to feedback at every stage of the process.

This is because art directors and editors are more likely to commission you for future work if you are reliable and dependable. It’s also vital that you have a clear understanding of editorial contracts, as these can be tricky to negotiate, and may require you to give up your rights to your artwork if you work with large corporations like BMW or British Airways.

It is a form of storytelling

An editorial illustration is a visual accompaniment to text that adds colour, personality and emotion to articles. It is also used to communicate abstract concepts.

Editorial illustrations can be made with any style and material, depending on the subject of the text they accompany. They can be done digitally, with pen and ink or using traditional media such as pencil or watercolor. The main aim of these illustrations is to highlight or explain the idea and convey the mood that the story evokes.

Some publications rely on editorial illustration to bring their articles to life, and others use it to highlight a certain theme. This can include anything from climate change to the balance of power in the world.

A great editorial illustration can turn an article from a piece of paper into a world that the reader becomes involved in. It can make the text come alive and give it an extra dimension, helping to convey more information in a shorter amount of time.

There are a number of different styles to choose from, so it’s important to find the right one for your subject matter. For example, some publications lean towards a more whimsical style, with colorful cartoon-like illustrations that complement the written content perfectly. Other publications have a more formal style that uses hand-drawn graphics and eye-catching photos to draw in the reader’s attention.

The best editorial illustrations will communicate ideas through visual metaphors, symbols and stories. These can be incredibly powerful and can stir up emotions in the reader.

For instance, Tim O’Brien’s TIME magazine cover is a powerful illustration that shows how wind and sand can create beautiful desert landscapes. This makes the text about Gaddafi much more interesting and gets the reader thinking about deserts and their connection to life.

Similarly, A Richard Allen’s Trump Wave, which appears on the cover of The Sunday Telegraph’s Money section, draws inspiration from Katsushika Hokusai’s famous painting Great Wave Off Kanagawa. It shows the financial markets bracing themselves for the incoming President.

These illustrations are a great way to capture the audience’s attention and encourage them to read more of the written content. They can also make a dense piece of writing feel more pleasant to look at, which is why they’re becoming increasingly popular as a form of advertising.

It is a medium to express ideas

An editorial illustration is an art that sits alongside text in a magazine, newspaper or online platform and is intended to reflect and build on it to convey an idea or theme. It can range from very straightforward drawings of scenes, moments or narratives to more conceptual artwork that uses visual metaphors to distort the reality of a subject or explore intangible feelings or concepts.

It can be a creative and exciting way to express ideas that are often difficult to put into words. The best illustrations grab our attention, luring us into the story by making the people and ideas in the text come to life.

Editorial illustrators work closely with the writers and art directors of a publication to make sure their sketches suit the written content. They usually produce drawings that sum up the main concepts in the article or respond to a brief from the art director.

Some editors lean towards a more simplistic approach, with bright cartoon-like drawings that are easy to read and complement the black text on the page. Others prefer a more sophisticated style that is less accessible but makes a stronger statement about the story and its theme.

In a world of plethora of information, an editorial illustration can help readers digest the story and understand its message more clearly. It can also help attract new readers and create an atmosphere of interest around the subject matter.

As a result, editorial illustration is a very rewarding and challenging career. It requires a keen eye for detail, creative thinking and the ability to transform concepts into visuals that are appealing to the reader.

It is possible to become an editorial illustrator as a freelancer or as an in-house designer working for a magazine. However, it is important to find your first clients and build a portfolio to attract them. You can do this through social media channels such as Instagram and Behance. These websites are great places to showcase your skills and get connected with professionals who are looking for new work.