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Entry Level Artist Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

PULSE STUDIO, LLC

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Entry Level Scenic & Event Designer / Production Artist 2026

Lisle, IL · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Entry-Level Scenic & Event Designer Pulse Studio LLC is a design previsualization firm based in Lisle, Illinois. Our designs allow clients to experience what their event or product will look and feel ...

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Entry Level Artist information

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$9

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$41

How much do entry level artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level artist in Chicago, IL is $25.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.08 and $28.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level artist?

Entry level artists are individuals who are beginning their professional careers in the art field, often having recently graduated from art school or completed relevant training. They typically work under the supervision of more experienced artists or art directors and may assist with various creative tasks, such as creating illustrations, graphics, or concept art. Entry level artists are expected to have foundational skills in drawing, painting, or digital art, and they often use this period to build their portfolios, gain industry experience, and establish professional connections. This role provides valuable learning opportunities and serves as a stepping stone to more advanced positions in the art industry.

How can I get a job as an entry level artist?

The qualifications needed to get a job as an entry-level artist include artistic skills, a portfolio of past work, and a degree or equivalent experience. You can pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree in graphic design, illustration, or fine arts. Most degree programs include portfolio-building courses, which can help you showcase your creative abilities to potential employers or clients. Most employers expect you to digitize your artwork using the Adobe Creative Suite or similar software. Internships are available for students and novice artists who want to gain experience in a professional setting.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level artist?

To thrive as an Entry Level Artist, you need a solid understanding of art fundamentals such as drawing, color theory, and composition, often demonstrated through a portfolio or relevant education. Familiarity with industry-standard digital tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Procreate is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and openness to feedback are vital soft skills that help you grow and adapt within collaborative environments. These skills and qualities are important to produce high-quality work, meet project requirements, and develop professionally in the competitive art industry.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level artists when starting their first professional role?

Entry level artists often encounter challenges such as adapting to tight deadlines, receiving constructive feedback, and learning to balance creative vision with client or project requirements. Navigating industry-standard tools and workflows can also be a learning curve, especially when collaborating with more experienced team members. However, most organizations provide mentorship and training to help new artists grow, and actively seeking feedback can accelerate both skill development and confidence.

What is the difference between Entry Level Artist vs Junior Graphic Designer?

AspectEntry Level ArtistJunior Graphic Designer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or associate's degree, basic art skillsBachelor's degree in graphic design, art, or related field
Work EnvironmentCreative studios, advertising agencies, freelance projectsDesign firms, marketing departments, advertising agencies
Industry UsageUsed across entertainment, gaming, illustration, and fine artsPrimarily in marketing, branding, and advertising sectors

Entry Level Artists and Junior Graphic Designers often share similar foundational skills and work environments. However, Entry Level Artists typically focus on traditional or digital art creation with a broader scope, while Junior Graphic Designers specialize in visual communication and branding within marketing contexts. Both roles serve as starting points in creative industries, with career progression leading to more specialized or senior positions.

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Entry Level Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Artist job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 19% Full Time, and 81% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $52,850 per year, or $25.4 per hour.

Entry Level Scenic & Event Designer / Production Artist 2026

PULSE STUDIO, LLC

Lisle, IL • On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago

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Job description

Entry-Level Scenic & Event Designer

Pulse Studio LLC is a design previsualization firm based in Lisle, Illinois. Our designs allow clients to experience what their event or product will look and feel like before it’s ever built. We are looking for a strong 3D Designer to help us create stunning presentation visuals and digital assets for the following areas: Set Design, Exhibit Design, Tradeshow Design, Product/Prototype Renderings, Animations, Interior & Exterior Renderings, Mobile Marketing, Graphics & Web design and AR/VR content creation.

Responsibilities

  • Generate creative designs based on project/client needs
  • Produce high quality renderings for events, scenic stage designs, and product launches
  • Take a design idea from conceptual mood boards to final design
  • Model, texture and light all elements involved with the project
  • Understand the varieties of light setups from clean studio renderings to vibrant stage rendering
  • Coordinate with the rest of the project team in the execution of the project/assignments
  • Post-production work for final renderings

Skills and Abilities

  • Proficient in 3D Studio Max (DO NOT APPLY IF YOU DON'T KNOW THIS PROGRAM)
  • Knowledgeable in Unreal (Blueprints/Programming/Coding not required but is a plus)
  • Can create custom textures and materials for use in models
  • Can dynamically light a scene
  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud, specifically Photoshop & Illustrator
  • Proficiency in Office 365 (Word, Excel and Outlook)
  • Ability to effectively meet deadlines
  • Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing
  • Ability to work in team environment

Qualifications

  • Work experience in Event Design, Trade Show Design, Theater or Architecture is a huge plus.
  • Any programming, C++, or HTML5 experience is not required but is a plus.
  • After Effects for motion graphics creation experience is not required but is a plus.
  • Knowledge of fabrication and tradeshow extrusion systems is not required but is a plus.

Please include a link to your portfolio with your application to be considered. (THIS IS MANDATORY. We need to see what level your skills are at.)

Pulse Studio is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We support diversity in the workforce.

Job Location - Lisle, Illinois. Ideally you work in our studio but will have flexibility with some days being remote.

Position Type - Contract to start (Hourly) / After 3 months Full Time is possible (Salary)

Our industry is fast paced with quick turnarounds. Our work varies from day to day, occasionally we work late to meet our clients’ expectations. Benefits include medical insurance, 401k with employer match, paid holidays, and vacation time.

Company Description

Pulse Studio got our start creating successful branded corporate events, trade-shows and exhibits. We are passionate about creating branded experiential designs from the overall physical experience down to the content you see on each screen. With our backgrounds in architecture, engineering, film and animation we were able to take our clients ideas and turn them into beautiful designs visualized in 3d. This is all created with fresh modern designs while always working with our clients to make sure we are embodying the message and story they want to tell.

Pulse serves as an extension of your design department. We work with our clients and their brand guidelines to create beautiful renderings, still images, custom video content, and motion graphics. We believe in a collaborative process between our clients and producers ensuring their satisfaction with the design and messaging we are creating. We have taken our roots of designing 3-dimensional branding experience and have evolved to help our clients create everything from the physical design down to the graphics, video content and interactive elements.

Our combined experience has created a base for us to understand our clients brands and turn those brands and stories into customer experiences. We are taking that all a step further to push digital content further for our clients. Environmental branding is no longer just a passive experience of showing static images. We want to interact with our content through touchscreens, VR/AR/MR, motion sensors, tablets, social media integration and more. That is just the beginning, every day we are looking at new technology to help our clients engage their customers. The more engaging the experience, the more brand awareness that create. That makes our clients happy and keeps them calling on Pulse for new projects.