Technical/Scientific Illustrator

Also known as:

Illustrator, Technical/Scientific

Introduction

Technical/scientific illustrators prepare detailed drawings for technical or scientific publications such as textbooks, instruction manuals, brochures, catalogues, training materials and technical websites.

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Work Activities

Technical/scientific illustrators prepare drawings and diagrams to help people understand scientific or technical information. These may be for:
• instruction or maintenance manuals and wall charts (for example, for servicing a central heating boiler)
• circuit diagrams (showing the flow of electrical current in electronic devices)
• training films
• training materials
• slides for use in presentations and lectures
• reference and general interest books
• publicity materials, such as brochures and catalogues
• technical websites.

Some illustrators specialise in natural history. For example, they might provide illustrations of plants and animals for encyclopaedias.

Technical/scientific illustrators first find out what information the user needs to get from the illustration. They then make sure that they have all the information they need to produce an accurate illustration.

This may involve site visits, studying drawings, diagrams and plans and talking to technical authors, engineers and/or designers

They then decide what kind of illustration would be most appropriate. The tools they use vary and may include pens, pencils, paints and airbrush techniques. However, the use of specialised computer software is now commonplace and this allows illustrators not only to create images but to manipulate them to best advantage.

Illustrators may also decide on the location of images within the text and prepare them for the printer.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a technical/scientific illustrator, you need to have a strong artistic and creative sense, with a good eye for colour, line, shape and form. You should have good drawing and painting ability.

You need excellent observational skills and a strong interest in the subject matter you are illustrating, whether it is science, technology or natural history.

You must be able to concentrate for lengthy periods and be meticulous in your attention to detail. While in some cases you may specialise in particular themes, in other cases you may work on a very wide range of subjects. In these cases, it is important that you are flexible and able to carry out a range of work.

Keeping your skills updated in the field of the relevant computer software is essential. Knowledge of printing techniques and some commercial awareness is an advantage for those illustrators working with publishers.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for technical/scientific illustrators vary depending on the industry and responsibilities.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Technical/scientific illustrators earn in the range of £16,000 - £20,000 a year, rising to around £26,500 - £35,000 a year.

Some technical illustrators work freelance. They charge a fee for the job depending on the work. The Association of Illustrators suggests fees on its website: www.theaoi.com.

Illustrators usually work a basic 39-hour week, Monday to Friday. Working hours for self-employed illustrators may be irregular, depending on how much work they have. However, in both cases, late finishes and weekend work may be required from time to time, especially to meet deadlines.

Work is available in most parts of the UK, although openings are limited.

There are jobs for technical/scientific illustrators in larger manufacturing companies, with government departments including the Ministry of Defence, in museums, and with firms of technical communications contractors. Many technical illustrators are self-employed. They gain work from publishers, advertising agencies, the broadcasting industry, architects and contractors. Some work for publishing companies can be on two- to three-year contracts.

Some illustrators use the services of agents to gain commissions and short-term contract work.

There is a lot of competition to enter this work.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Relevant skills gained, for example, in graphic design are useful. However, entry to this work is very competitive.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Art and Design) could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

They can lead to relevant degree/HND courses.

To enter the work or relevant courses, you need to have a portfolio of work showing your ability.

• 26% of people in occupations such as technical/scientific illustrator are self-employed.
• 11% work part-time.
• 9% have flexible hours.
• 3% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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