Ilustrator

Ilustrator is a common variant spelling of illustrator; the correct English word is illustrator. An illustrator is an artist who creates images to accompany, explain, decorate or enhance text and ideas. Illustrators work across a wide range of media and industries, including books, magazines, advertising, packaging, technical manuals, fashion, animation, and digital interfaces.

Historically, illustration has combined fine art and commercial needs, from woodcuts and engravings to lithography and printed periodicals. The 20th and 21st centuries saw growth in magazine illustration, children's books, and commercial art, followed by a major shift toward digital techniques with drawing tablets and vector and raster software.

Illustration techniques include traditional media such as pen and ink, watercolor, gouache, and oil, as well as digital painting, vector illustration, and mixed media. Common tools include pencils, brushes, graphic tablets, and software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Styles range from realistic and technical diagrams to stylized, expressive, and conceptual work.

Education for illustrators can be formal—degrees in illustration, fine art, or graphic design—or self-directed through practice and portfolio development. Careers may be freelance, in-house, or agency-based, often requiring skills in visual storytelling, composition, color, and client communication. Related professions include graphic designers, concept artists, animators, and visual communicators.