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Illustrator Publishing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Illustrator Publishing information

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$32.5K

$59.3K

$96K

How much do illustrator publishing jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for illustrator publishing in the United States is $59,345.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $68,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an illustrator in publishing do?

An Illustrator in publishing creates visual images and artwork that complement and enhance written content in books, magazines, and other publications. They work closely with authors, editors, and art directors to bring stories and concepts to life through illustrations, which can range from detailed drawings to digital graphics. Their work helps to engage readers, clarify complex ideas, and add aesthetic value to the publication. Illustrators may specialize in particular genres, such as children's books, educational materials, or graphic novels. The process often involves brainstorming, sketching, revising, and finalizing artwork to meet the publication's needs and deadlines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an illustrator in publishing, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Illustrator in Publishing, you generally need strong drawing skills, a solid understanding of visual storytelling, and a portfolio showcasing relevant work, often supported by a degree in illustration or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard digital illustration tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, and familiarity with layout software like InDesign, are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, adaptability to various styles, and effective communication with editors and authors are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities ensure the creation of compelling visuals that enhance published content and meet both editorial and market needs.

What are some common challenges illustrators face when working in publishing, and how can they be addressed?

Illustrators in publishing often encounter tight deadlines, evolving client feedback, and the need to balance creative vision with editorial guidelines. Successfully navigating these challenges involves strong communication with editors and authors, flexibility in revising artwork, and efficient time management. Many illustrators find it helpful to establish clear expectations at the outset of a project and to maintain a well-organized workflow, which helps ensure timely delivery of illustrations while accommodating revisions. Collaborating closely with the publishing team also fosters a smoother creative process and helps align visual storytelling with the publication’s goals.

What is the difference between Illustrator Publishing vs Graphic Designer?

AspectIllustrator PublishingGraphic Designer
Primary FocusCreating illustrations for books, magazines, and publishing materialsDesigning visual content for branding, advertising, and digital media
Skills & ToolsDrawing, painting, Adobe Illustrator, PhotoshopLayout, typography, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Work EnvironmentPublishing houses, freelance, editorial projectsAdvertising agencies, corporate, freelance, digital media
CredentialsPortfolio, illustration skills, possibly art or design degreeDesign degree, portfolio, proficiency in design software

Illustrator Publishing specialists focus on creating detailed illustrations for publishing projects, often working within the publishing industry. Graphic Designers have a broader role in visual communication across various media. While both roles require strong design skills and software proficiency, their primary outputs and work environments differ.

What cities are hiring for Illustrator Publishing jobs?

Cities with the most Illustrator Publishing job openings:

What states have the most Illustrator Publishing jobs?

States with the most job openings for Illustrator Publishing jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Illustrator Publishing jobs?

For Illustrator Publishing jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Illustrator Publishing job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 83% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,345 per year, or $28.5 per hour.

Principal Content Producer, Riftbound Publishing

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Riot Games
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees

$135K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

As a Principal Content Producer reporting to the Director, Content Production on the Riftbound Publishing team, you will lead the planning, execution, and operational delivery of Riftbound's most complex and strategically important player-facing initiatives. You will partner across Publishing, Product, Creative, Brand, Community, Organized Play, regional teams, and external partners to deliver cohesive experiences across physical products and live events.

Riftbound presents a uniquely complex production environment, requiring leaders who can navigate ambiguity, align diverse stakeholders, and build scalable ways of working as the game continues to evolve. As a principal production leader, you will solve organizational challenges-not just project challenges-by creating clarity, building systems that scale beyond individual initiatives, and influencing outcomes through expertise, relationships, and strategic thinking. You'll oversee multiple concurrent workstreams while helping shape the future of production across Riftbound Publishing.

Responsibilities:
  • Lead a Complex Production Ecosystem: Setting the production strategy for multiple concurrent publishing initiatives spanning physical product launches, Organized Play, integrated marketing campaigns, and balancing priorities across a rapidly evolving ecosystem.
  • Partner in Creative Development: Collaborate closely with Creative Directors, Art Directors, Writers, Brand, and Community partners to shape production strategies, enable creative excellence, and bring compelling player experiences to life across a wide range of creative mediums.
  • Drive Cross-Functional Alignment: Establishing and maintaining frameworks with Product, Brand, Creative, Community, Organized Play, regional teams, and other disciplines to align priorities, resolve ambiguity, and deliver cohesive player experiences.
  • Lead External Creative Production: Set the production approach for a broad portfolio of creative work-including live action video, animation, motion graphics, illustration, copywriting, experiential content, and other creative disciplines-while overseeing agencies, vendors, and contractors from creative development through final delivery.
  • Build Scalable Ways of Working: Establish production frameworks, planning systems, and operating models that enable teams to adapt, scale, and continuously improve how creative work is delivered.
  • Influence the Organization: Act as a senior production leader by mentoring producers, driving alignment, proactively managing risk, and helping shape the future of production across Riftbound Publishing and Riot.
Required Qualifications:
  • 8-12+ years of experience leading creative production, content production, or integrated marketing production within gaming, entertainment, sports, media, or related industries.
  • Deep expertise producing creative work across multiple disciplines, including video, animation, motion graphics, illustration, copywriting, digital content, and integrated marketing campaigns.
  • Demonstrated success leading large-scale creative productions from concept through delivery, balancing quality, timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations.
  • Proven ability to lead highly complex, cross-functional creative initiatives involving multiple teams, external partners, and competing priorities.
  • Expertise managing agencies, creative vendors, contractors, and external production partners throughout the creative development and production lifecycle.
  • Strong understanding of creative development, production pipelines, asset workflows, and review processes across multiple content formats.
  • Exceptional communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority and build trusted partnerships across disciplines.
  • Proven ability to create clarity, drive alignment, and deliver high-quality creative work in ambiguous, fast-changing environments.
  • Systems-thinking mindset with experience building scalable production frameworks, workflows, and operational models that improve how creative work gets made.
Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience working on physical products, trading card games, tabletop games, collectibles, or consumer products.
  • Experience supporting live events, esports, organized play, convention activations, or community programs.
  • Experience working across both product development and publishing organizations.
  • Experience building production systems for emerging products or rapidly growing teams.
  • Experience operating within a global organization across multiple regions.
  • Passion for trading card games, tabletop gaming, and player communities.

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this could be your role!

Our Perks:

Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.

At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we're better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.

It's our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

  • Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
  • Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
  • Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
  • Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security. 


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About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

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