From Fan Art to Full-Time Career: How to Turn Illustration Into a Dream Job

For every aspiring illustrator, there’s always a first. The first time they pointed their finger and drew in the sand. The first time, they picked up a crayon and scribbled on the wall. Or that moment when they first signed their name to a piece of fan art. And they’re not alone; all great illustrators, whether commercial or fine art, had to start somewhere. Even Picasso, at age 8, with his work, The Yellow Picador. 

We have all knowingly, or unknowingly, been exposed to the great illustrators of our time. Who among us has not paged through The Adventures of Tintin, a book illustrated by Hergé, who single-handedly developed the “ligne claire” (clear line) style of comics. Or Maurice Sendak’s wildly memorable, Where the Wild Things Are? And let’s not even talk about Eric Car’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Just open your eyes (or ears for that matter) and you will see. Phoebe Bridgers’ Punisher stands out as an example of how an illustration can underscore a musical mood. Not to mention Tyler the Creator’s Flower Boy, with its surreal, desert scene and extra-terrestrial imagery of clouds and honeybees.

Picture the scenario 

Illustrations can be found everywhere in daily life – even if we don’t always notice them. They serve to inform, entertain, persuade, or simply beautify. Beyond children’s books, they breathe life into magazines, newspapers, book covers, graphic novels, comics, and manga. You’ll find illustrations in product packaging (think of the wrapper of the gum you’re chewing right now!), brand mascots and icons, storefronts, and signage. There are print ads, posters (think: I Want You for the US Army), social media campaigns, fashion illustrations, pattern design (clothing, wallpaper, stationery), home décor illustrations (prints, wall art), and the list goes on. Truth is, when you put your mind (or pencil) to it, the list of career options responsible for the output mentioned above is inexhaustible.

Tangerine trees and marmalade skies

Renowned illustrator and author of Marguerite, Go Wash Your Feet, Wallace Tripp, once said that, “Illustrators are word people who happen to draw. We work with one foot in a book, the other stuck in a paint pot. Our shoes are a disgrace.” Today, we can add ‘digital paint pot’ to the mix, and leave out the shoes. 

He goes on to say that an experienced illustrator “subscribes to the principle of applying the seat of their pants to the seat of the chair…” which means that those who wish to be an illustrator need to stop thinking about being an illustrator, and become one. The best way to do this is by signing up for a degree from Africa’s leading creative school, Red & Yellow Creative School of Business.

Draw the line 

The Red & Yellow Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication (BAVC) is a 3-year full-time, hands-on programme that will equip learners with an internationally recognised qualification and a highly competitive portfolio, granting them access to higher levels of learning or opening the doors to the industry. 

Unlike a typical graphic design degree, this degree is highly practical. It is designed to expose learners to an assortment of disciplines, including art direction, graphic design, illustration, photography, and digital design from their first year, and then allowing them to confidently choose a major and one minor subject in their second year, before focusing on a major in the third year.

Play until something happens

Stephanie Simpson, a visual arts Master’s graduate, is one of several experienced lecturers who lead the various BAVC cohorts. Her teaching proficiency and influence have single-handedly inspired a whole subset of illustration professionals who have gone on to successful careers in the industry today. “I see myself as a storyteller in everything I do,” she says, “whether I am standing in front of class giving a lecture or sitting at my desk crafting up a visual design for a client. I live by the mantra, play until something happens.” Life’s outlines already exist. It’s just waiting for you to choose a pen, pencil, or crayon and colour them in.

Put pen to paper 

Austin Kleon, author of Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative, once said, “Quit picking fights and go make something.” And, we couldn’t agree more.  

Your future career starts with your next sketch – apply now.