What’s The Difference Between An Illustrator And A Graphic Designer?

Do you need to hire someone to create art or designs for your business? Different professions play different roles. Unfortunately, it can be confusing which type of artist you need. The two main types of artists you would hire are graphic designers and illustrators, each of whom has distinctive expertise and skills.

Here are the differences between those two professions — and how to know which one to hire.

The Scope of Work

A graphic designer typically lays out publications, whether that’s a simple tri-fold brochure or a full magazine. They do this by combining images and typography in an overall layout. Graphic designers regularly use multiple design elements to create a cohesive product.

An illustrator produces an original image or design that can stand alone yet be used in other design products. They often work from sketches that are based on your specifications, and they build out the illustration as a full piece of art. If you need a handout, flyer, or poster designed, you need a graphic designer.

If you need a logo, cover art, or brand element to be used on publications, you need an illustrator. In other words, you probably need to hire an illustrator before you hire a graphic designer.

The illustrator will create what’s called “assets” that your graphic designer will then use when they design your flyers, posters, etc.

The Approach to Work

Illustrators are more like traditional visual artists. They come up with a concept and bring it to life. To hire an illustrator is akin to commissioning a painter to create a new image for you. Illustrators use tools such as Adobe Illustrator, or even real paint and canvas, to create a distinctive image.

Their role is to create unique, high-quality art for you to use in your branding or other business purposes.

Graphic designers assemble other people’s creative elements into a fresh new design. Their job is to combine fonts, logos, design elements, and other things created by illustrators into an attractive presentation.

Graphic designers must have a robust understanding of layout and composition. Their role is to assemble art into something that best serves your marketing needs.

How to Talk to Illustrators vs. Graphic Designers

Both illustrators and graphic designers will want you to send them a creative brief, i.e. a concise summary of what you want from their work. However, they will ask different questions: A graphic designer will want “specs,” short for specifications. They’ll expect you to already have your logo, fonts, and colors selected.

Be sure that you have a basic understanding of print and digital formats, so that you can communicate those to a designer. While products such as business cards have a standard size, things like posters, flyers, and magazines can have wildly different specifications. Be prepared to communicate the number of pages, print size, delivery format, and other technical information to your graphic designer.

An illustrator will ask “artsier” questions. They’ll assume that by hiring them, you like their style and want them to produce artwork in that style. For that reason, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with an illustrator’s portfolio before commissioning them.

Illustrators will want creative briefs to include information such as colors, style/aesthetic, and subject. Be sure to communicate your brand personality and identity to an illustrator in your brief.

Wrapping Up

Although it’s usually advisable to hire an illustrator before you hire a graphic designer, the two can work in tandem. For example, if you need an event poster, you might hire an illustrator to create unique art and a graphic designer to layout that art with your company colors, fonts, and event information.

Be sure that you fully communicate any of your specifications to both artists. By doing so, you can ensure that the design process is frustration-free and productive for all.