Meet Anh, 22, to find out more about life as an illustrator. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.
I'm Anh. I'm 22 years old and I'm an illustrator.
I grew up in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Growing up, I was expected to study Business, or Accounting, or Science. When I was in school, I was really interested in Biology. I really enjoyed drawing human anatomy, plants, and animals. I was even considering being a doctor. But then I realised I wasn't really into the scientific side of it but more the creative side. After I finished high school in Vietnam, I was 17 and I decided to pursue my creative dreams and go to England to study a foundation course of Art and Design. In my foundation degree, I got to try out so many different things like photography, filmmaking, printmaking, and animation. After I finish my foundation degree, I decided to apply for an Illustration degree at the Arts University Bournemouth.
One of the great things about being an illustrator is that I don't have to do the same thing every day. So on sunny days, I like to go to the beach or to a park just to get inspiration. And on a gloomy day, I just like to go to a gallery or stay in a café and draw.
Even though being a freelance illustrator is very, very scary, it is also very exciting and I really enjoy it because I finally get to afford a living by doing what I love.
I finally get to afford a living by doing what I love!
Anh did a foundation degree in Art and Design, where she studied creative subjects such as filming, photography and design. She then decided to do a degree in Illustration at the Arts University Bournemouth
To add to her skill set, she also learnt to code. She can now programme video games as well as illustrating and designing them
Her favourite part about her job is that she does not have to sit in an office – she can work wherever she wants to!
What to expect if you want to be an illustrator
- Illustrator average salary: £18,000 to £40,000 per year
- Illustrator typical working hours: 39 to 41 hours per week
What qualifications do you need to be an illustrator?
You could get into this role via a university course, a college course, an apprenticeship or applying directly.
Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service, GOV.UK
This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the National Careers Service website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed.
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).
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