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Illustrators

An illustrator creates original artwork - editorial and advertising illustration, children's books, packaging, character design, lettering and type, and motion-adjacent work. Illustration is style-led: most illustrators have a recognisable signature, so the page is best used to find an artist whose look already fits your brief.

How to choose

Hire the style, not the generalist.

Hire for style first. Unlike most design disciplines, you are commissioning a particular visual voice, so shortlist illustrators whose existing work already looks close to what you want rather than expecting one artist to cover every style. Then confirm the practical points: usage and licensing terms, whether they work digitally or traditionally, file delivery, and turnaround for the number of pieces you need.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

01What does an illustrator do?

An illustrator creates bespoke artwork for a brief: editorial images for magazines and press, advertising and campaign visuals, children's book art, packaging illustration, character design, lettering and type, spot illustrations and increasingly animated or motion-ready work.

02How much does it cost to commission an illustrator?

Illustration is usually priced per project or per image rather than by the day, and the fee depends heavily on usage - where, for how long and how widely the artwork will appear. Editorial spots are relatively low cost; national advertising with broad usage rights is much higher. Always agree licensing up front.

03How do I brief an illustrator?

Share references and the feel you are after, the deliverables and sizes, where the work will be used (which sets licensing), the deadline and the budget. Then trust the artist's style - the reason to hire a specific illustrator is their voice, so brief the problem and let them interpret it.

04What should I look for in an illustration portfolio?

A consistent, distinctive style that suits your brief, evidence of work in your context (editorial, advertising, packaging, publishing), and the ability to deliver a series with consistent quality, not just single images.

05How are illustrators ranked on this page?

By a weekly-refreshed composite of editorial standing, portfolio depth, engagement, client recommendations and recent activity - so active, well-regarded illustrators surface first.

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Portrait Artist at Caliz Studios (self-employed), London

  • Graphic Designer, Multimedia Designer, Illustrator
  • London city, Amsterdam
  • Looking for work


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Graphic Designer & Product designer at Freelancer, Ho Chi Minh

  • Branding Designer, Graphic Designer, Illustrator
  • Ho Chi Minh City, London, Berlin
  • Looking for work











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Fashion Designer at IssyMar, Brighton

  • Project Designer, Fashion Designer, Illustrator
  • Murcia, Brighton, Valencia
  • Looking for work




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Freelance Motion Designer, London

  • Illustrator, 2D Artist, Motion Graphics Designer
  • London
  • Looking for work

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Illustrator, designer, and animator, Alicante Province

  • Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Video Editor
  • Valenciana, Colorado
  • Looking for work


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