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Designer Illustrator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Designer Illustrator

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$35 - $50/hr

... designers and illustrators. AS A PERSON, YOU HAVE: * Illustration Excellence: Demonstrated expertise in draftsmanship, color theory, composition, character design, and translating complex ideas into ...

Fashion CAD Designer / Illustrator Location: Midtown Manhattan, New York (On-Site) Employment Type: Temporary / Contract with Potential for Permanent Employment About Dana-co Dana-co is a leading ...

Salary: $35-40 per hour Fashion CAD Designer / Illustrator Location: Midtown Manhattan, New York (On-Site) Employment Type: Temporary / Contract with Potential for Permanent Employment About Dana-co ...

Projects include design and illustration for campaigns, story-driven environments, immersive digital installations, and browser-based experiences. The Role The role requires originating bold concepts ...

Graphic Designer

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

We have an immediate opening for an experienced graphic designer / Illustrator in our Marketing Department. K1 Speed is seeking a creative and talented graphic designer to join the team. This is a ...

Sketching images by hand or designing them using a digital tool * Creating rough drafts before finalizing images * Reworking the illustrations as requested * Estimating and managing deadlines for ...

Illustrator

Phoenix, AZ ยท On-site

Provide concept art for new projects, including layout, color schemes, symbol concepts, background designs etc. * Create digital character paintings/illustrations, compositions/layouts, logos, UI ...

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Designer Illustrator information

See salary details

$35.5K

$83.1K

$110K

How much do designer illustrator jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for designer illustrator in the United States is $83,148.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,000.00 and $109,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do Designer Illustrators typically collaborate with other team members during a project?

Designer Illustrators often work closely with creative directors, graphic designers, marketing teams, and clients to ensure that their illustrations align with the overall vision and objectives of a project. Collaboration usually involves participating in brainstorming sessions, providing concept sketches, incorporating feedback, and revising artwork based on input from stakeholders. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as projects may require quick adjustments to meet changing requirements. This collaborative environment helps ensure that the final visual assets are cohesive and meet both aesthetic and strategic goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Designer Illustrator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Designer Illustrator, you need strong artistic ability, a solid understanding of design principles, and proficiency in visual storytelling, often supported by a degree in graphic design, illustration, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) and experience with digital drawing tablets are essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you interpret briefs and collaborate with clients or creative teams. These skills ensure you can produce compelling, high-quality visuals that meet project objectives and client expectations.

What is the difference between Designer Illustrator vs Graphic Designer?

AspectDesigner IllustratorGraphic Designer
Primary FocusCreating original illustrations and artworkDesigning visual content for branding, marketing, and print
Skills & ToolsDrawing, painting, digital illustration software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop)Layout, typography, branding, Adobe Creative Suite
Work EnvironmentFreelance, publishing, advertising, entertainmentAdvertising agencies, corporate in-house teams, design studios
CredentialsPortfolio, artistic skills, sometimes art or design degreesDesign degrees, portfolio, proficiency in design software

While both Designer Illustrators and Graphic Designers create visual content, Designer Illustrators focus on original artwork and illustrations, often for books, products, or entertainment. Graphic Designers typically work on branding, marketing materials, and layouts. The roles overlap in skills and tools but differ in primary output and application.

What are Designer Illustrators?

Designer Illustrators are creative professionals who combine artistic skills with design principles to create visual content for various media, such as books, advertisements, websites, packaging, and more. They use illustration techniques to communicate ideas, concepts, or stories, often working closely with clients, art directors, or marketing teams. Their work involves both traditional drawing and digital tools, and they may specialize in areas like fashion, editorial, technical, or children's book illustration.
More about Designer Illustrator jobs
What cities are hiring for Designer Illustrator jobs? Cities with the most Designer Illustrator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Designer Illustrator jobs? The most popular types of Designer Illustrator jobs are:
What states have the most Designer Illustrator jobs? States with the most job openings for Designer Illustrator jobs include:
Infographic showing various Designer Illustrator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,148 per year, or $40 per hour.
Designer Illustrator

Designer Illustrator

Thesis

Portland, OR โ€ข On-site

$35 - $50/hr

Temporary

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Reports to: Creative Director or Associate Creative Director
Department: Creative
Classification: Non-Exempt

WHO WE ARE:

We are Thesis. Proudly headquartered in Portland, OR, while serving clients globally for over 20 years. Thesis is a creative agency that drives business success through marketing across technology, strategy and operations.

THE JOB:

The Senior Illustrator is a multidisciplinary visual artist who executes thoughtful, refined illustrative solutions across a variety of channels. They balance conceptual storytelling and technical artistic execution, contributing original artwork and asset systems to major campaigns while beginning to mentor more junior designers and illustrators.

AS A PERSON, YOU HAVE:
  • Illustration Excellence: Demonstrated expertise in draftsmanship, color theory, composition, character design, and translating complex ideas into compelling visual metaphors.

  • Creative Execution: Capable of independently translating creative briefs into polished, impactful illustration solutions across multiple mediums (digital, social, print).

  • Technical Proficiency: Highly skilled in standard industry tools, particularly Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) and digital painting software (Procreate); familiarity with vector asset preparation or motion/animation pipelines is a plus.

  • Style Adaptability & Brand Alignment: Able to work fluidly across different aesthetic styles while maintaining a clientโ€™s established brand guidelines.

  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Experienced in working closely with creative directors, copywriters, art directors, and production teams to seamlessly integrate artwork into broader design systems.

  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous eye for detail, linework, and craft, consistently delivering precise, scalable, and thoughtfully executed assets.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:
  • Develop brand, editorial, digital, and campaign illustration deliverables with a high level of craft and polish.

  • Partner with Creative Directors (CDs) and Associate Creative Directors (ACDs) to translate overarching creative concepts into execution-ready artwork.

  • Begin to lead smaller illustration tracks or visual workstreams, sometimes operating solo.

  • Provide feedback and informal style mentorship to junior team members to ensure visual consistency across projects.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:
  • 4-6+ years of professional illustration experience, preferably within an agency, studio, or corporate creative department.

  • A diverse portfolio showcasing an advanced range of style, depth in visual storytelling, and commercial applications of artwork.

  • Comfortable owning illustration tracks independently within broader, fast-paced creative programs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following capabilities are required in order to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the agency are available to address the following requirements.

  • Using standard office equipment, computers and related technology

  • Certain activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding and manipulating a computer mouse

  • Bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds

  • Travel is not anticipated for this role

RELATIONSHIPS:

This role reports to the Creative Director or Associate Creative Director.

VALUES:
  • Be Lean: We work efficiently, focus on what matters most, and eliminate friction to deliver exceptional results without unnecessary complexity.

  • Say What You Mean: We champion clear communication, radical candor, and honest dialogue. We speak intentionally and listen with a desire to understand.

  • Show Up Fully: We bring our authentic selves, our full energy, and our commitment to the team and the work every day.

INCLUSION AND ENCOURAGEMENT:

We know that experience can show up in many ways, and we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications. If you're passionate about strategy, eager to grow, and excited to contribute your perspective, we'd love to hear from you.

At Thesis, we believe the best ideas come from bringing together diverse voices, experiences, and ways of thinking. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are not checkboxesโ€”they are essential to how we work, collaborate, and create. We are committed to fostering an environment where all employees can thrive and where every individual is treated with respect and dignity.

Thesis is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. We provide reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at HR@Thesis.Agency.

As part of our commitment to equitable hiring practices, we do not request or consider applicants' salary history when making hiring decisions.