What do students need for an illustration portfolio?

Illustration portfolios require students to show that they can draw what they see, so they will typically include observational drawings. Admissions teams also want to see a student's personality and interests reflected in their art.

Can students include both traditional and digital art in their portfolios?

Yes. Student portfolios can focus on traditional art, digital art, or showcase both mediums. Most importantly, schools want to see original artwork, especially artwork created without a prompt.

What other majors combine with illustration?

Students interested in science may study medical or scientific illustration. Students interested in writing may combine illustration with writing to illustrate books or create graphic novels.

Illustration

Maya, attending Johns Hopkins University

Medical and Scientific Illustration 〰️

Be a World Builder 〰️

Combine Illustration with STEM 〰️

Be a Visual Storyteller 〰️

Medical and Scientific Illustration 〰️ Be a World Builder 〰️ Combine Illustration with STEM 〰️ Be a Visual Storyteller 〰️

What does an Illustration portfolio look like?

We help students interested illustration learn how to tell stories through their art. Whether they are interested in world building, storytelling, or combining illustration with another area of study we work with them to show colleges their unique voice. Our students work in create work in using traditional and digital illustration.

Illustration portfolios require students to show that they can draw what they see, so will typically include some observational drawings. Admissions want to see a student’s personality and interests reflected in their art.
Yes! student portfolios can focus on one or the other, or showcase both mediums. Most importantly schools want to see original artwork, especially artwork created without a prompt.
For students interested in science, many intend to study medical or scientific illustration. For students interested in writing, many students want to combine illustration with writing to illustrate books or write graphic novels.

Amanda, designed in 12th grade, attending Brown University

Illustration - Develop your artistic style to create visual storytelling pieces for print, digital, and commercial media. Illustrator, Concept Artist, Book Illustrator, Freelance Artist

Digital Illustration - Learn to use digital tools and techniques to create polished, professional illustrations.
Digital Illustrator, Graphic Illustrator, Game Asset Designer, Marketing Illustrator

Editorial Illustration - Focus on creating compelling imagery to accompany articles, essays, and editorial content. Editorial Illustrator, Magazine Illustrator, Freelance Artist, Visual Content Designer

Medical Illustration - Combine art and science to create detailed visuals for medical education and communication. Medical Illustrator, Surgical Illustrator, Biomedical Artist, Scientific Animator

Scientific Illustration - Create detailed and accurate illustrations to visually communicate scientific concepts.
Scientific Illustrator, Botanical Illustrator, Zoological Illustrator, Museum Exhibit Designer

Creative Majors and Careers for Illustrators

Multi-panel comic illustration of a knight and dragon story in vibrant digital painting style, by 12th grade ARTriculate student Tanisha, from her illustration portfolio.

Tanisha, created in 12th grade, attending University of California Los Angeles, Design, Media and Art program

Children’s Book Illustration - Design engaging, whimsical artwork for books and media aimed at young audiences. Children’s Book Illustrator, Cover Designer, Freelance Illustrator, Character Designer

Concept Art - Visualize ideas for characters, environments, and objects in games, films, and animation. Concept Artist, Environment Designer, Character Designer, World Builder

Sequential Art/Comic Art - Learn to tell stories visually through comics, graphic novels, and storyboarding. Comic Artist, Graphic Novelist, Storyboard Artist, Layout Designer

Product Illustration - Create detailed visuals for packaging, product manuals, and advertising.
Product Illustrator, Marketing Illustrator, Packaging Designer, Advertising Artist

Fashion Illustration - Draw clothing and accessory designs, focusing on capturing movement and fabric details. Fashion Illustrator, Design Consultant, Editorial Illustrator, Textile Designer

Meet our Illustration Coaches

Laura McFaden

Read Bio
Lisa Shmaraeva

Read Bio
Suzanne Rupp

Read Bio