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Magazine Illustrator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hearst Magazines

Global Visual Designer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

About Hearst Magazines (Why Us?) Hearst Magazines is home to 30 world-renowned brands that inform ... Present creative concepts, curate photography and illustration, oversee image retouching, and ...

Story Road Marketing Lab

Print Graphic Designer

Buford, GA · On-site

$40K - $79K/yr

Story Road | Gwinnett Magazine | Best of Awards We are looking for a graphic designer who can think ... and Illustrator • Solid understanding of print production and file prep • Ability to take a ...

fotf

Art Director I

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$119K - $125K/yr

... magazines as well as accompanying websites and digital publications as assigned; this involves direct design responsibilities as well as overseeing the work of the additional designers, illustrators ...

fotf

Art Director I

Colorado Springs, CO

$119K - $125K/yr

... magazines as well as accompanying websites and digital publications as assigned; this involves direct design responsibilities as well as overseeing the work of the additional designers, illustrators ...

Smart Meetings

Production Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$22 - $29/hr

Interested in designing for a leading meetings and events magazine? Smart Meetings is seeking a ... Demonstrate working knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva (Animation and ...

Smart Meetings

Production Designer

San Rafael, CA · On-site

$22 - $29/hr

Interested in designing for a leading meetings and events magazine? Smart Meetings is seeking a ... Demonstrate working knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva (Animation and ...

Practice Builders

Sales Representative

Essential Functions Sell ads to existing and new advertisers Horse Illustrated, Young Rider, Hobby Farms and Chickens Magazine. Online, print (classified and display), and digital components. Use ...

The Atlantic Monthly Group

Senior Art Director

New York, NY · On-site

$105K - $135K/yr

The role will occasionally extend to special projects and print magazine assignments. The ideal candidate brings a strong editorial sensibility and a deep understanding of how illustration and design ...

The Atlantic

Senior Art Director

New York, NY

$105K - $135K/yr

The role will occasionally extend to special projects and print magazine assignments. The ideal candidate brings a strong editorial sensibility and a deep understanding of how illustration and design ...

Practice Builders

Sales Representative

Essential Functions Sell ads to existing and new advertisers Horse Illustrated, Young Rider, Hobby Farms and Chickens Magazine. Online, print (classified and display), and digital components. Use ...

The Atlantic

Senior Art Director

Washington, DC

$105K - $135K/yr

The role will occasionally extend to special projects and print magazine assignments. The ideal candidate brings a strong editorial sensibility and a deep understanding of how illustration and design ...

Hasana, Inc.

Art Director

New York, NY

$132K - $138K/yr

Company Description Felix is a luxury lifestyle magazine currently serving Chicago, Los Angeles and ... Must be highly experienced in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator Additional Information All your ...

Hasana, Inc.

Intern/Volunteer Art Director

Chicago, IL

$15.50 - $20.50/hr

Company Description Felix is a luxury lifestyle magazine currently serving Chicago, Los Angeles and ... Must be highly experienced in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator Additional Information All your ...

Hasana, Inc.

Art Director

Chicago, IL

$124K - $130K/yr

Company Description Felix is a luxury lifestyle magazine currently serving Chicago, Los Angeles and ... Must be highly experienced in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator Additional Information All your ...

Hasana, Inc.

Intern/Volunteer Art Director

Los Angeles, CA

$16.25 - $21.50/hr

Company Description Felix is a luxury lifestyle magazine currently serving Chicago, Los Angeles and ... Must be highly experienced in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator Additional Information All your ...

Hasana, Inc.

Art Director

Los Angeles, CA

$130K - $136K/yr

Company Description Felix is a luxury lifestyle magazine currently serving Chicago, Los Angeles and ... Must be highly experienced in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator Additional Information All your ...

Mad Kaiju Cartel

Exigences Maitrise de la suite Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) Oeil pour ... de nos magazines Outils de travail Que cela soit avec Office 365 ou Google Apps, nous vous ...

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All JobsMagazine Illustrator Jobs

Magazine Illustrator information

See salary details

$32.5K

$59.3K

$96K

How much do magazine illustrator jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for magazine illustrator 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Magazine Illustrator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Magazine Illustrator, you need strong drawing skills, creativity, and a solid portfolio demonstrating your ability to convey concepts visually, often supported by a degree in illustration, graphic design, or related fields. Proficiency in digital illustration tools like Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop and Illustrator) is typically required. Excellent communication, adaptability, and the ability to interpret editorial direction help illustrators collaborate effectively with art directors and writers. These skills ensure that the illustrator can deliver engaging, on-brand artwork that enhances the magazine’s visual storytelling and appeals to its target audience.

What Does a Magazine Illustrator Do?

A magazine illustrator creates drawings and images for magazines and similar publications. Your duties in this career can include working on cover design and layout, creating illustrations for articles, drawing editorial pictures or cartoons, or making stand-alone pieces of artwork. In this position, you can illustrate for both print and online magazines. Some employers expect a magazine artist to create drawings by hand, while others expect you to do your work digitally. Your responsibilities in those positions may include making illustrations for the publication using software like Adobe Illustrator. If you are involved in the layout, you may use Adobe InDesign as well.

Are illustrators still in demand?

Magazine illustrators are still in demand as publications seek unique visual content to engage readers. Success in the field often requires strong artistic skills, proficiency with digital tools like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, and the ability to adapt to changing media formats.

How to become a magazine illustrator?

To become a magazine illustrator, develop strong drawing skills and a portfolio showcasing your work. Obtain a relevant degree in art or illustration, gain experience through internships or freelance projects, and familiarize yourself with digital illustration tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Building a network and submitting your work to magazines or agencies can help you secure illustration assignments.

How does a magazine illustrator typically collaborate with editors and writers during the publication process?

Magazine illustrators work closely with editors and writers to ensure that the artwork effectively complements the articles and enhances the publication's visual storytelling. This collaboration often involves attending editorial meetings, reviewing article drafts, and receiving feedback to align illustrations with the magazine's tone and message. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as illustrators may need to revise their work based on editorial direction. This teamwork helps create cohesive and engaging content for readers.

What are magazine illustrators?

Magazine illustrators are artists who create original images, drawings, or graphics for magazines. Their work helps to convey ideas, enhance stories, and capture readers' attention through visual art. They often collaborate with editors, writers, and art directors to develop illustrations that align with the magazine's style and content. Magazine illustrators may work in traditional media, digital formats, or a combination of both, adapting their techniques to fit the publication's needs.

Do magazine jobs still exist?

Magazine illustrator jobs still exist as part of the publishing industry, with many opportunities for freelance and in-house work. These roles often require strong drawing skills, proficiency with digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, and a portfolio showcasing relevant work. While the industry has shifted toward digital media, print and online magazine illustration remain active fields.

What is the difference between Magazine Illustrator vs Comic Book Artist?

AspectMagazine IllustratorComic Book Artist
Required CredentialsArt degree or equivalent, portfolioArt degree or equivalent, portfolio
Work EnvironmentFreelance or in publishing studiosStudio or freelance, comic publishers
Industry UsageMagazines, editorial, advertisingComics, graphic novels, entertainment
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Magazine Illustrators and Comic Book Artists both require strong artistic skills, portfolios, and often similar educational backgrounds. However, Magazine Illustrators focus on creating images for magazines, often with a more realistic or editorial style, while Comic Book Artists specialize in sequential art and storytelling through comics. Both roles are prevalent in publishing and entertainment industries, but they serve different audiences and formats.

How much do magazines pay for illustrations?

Magazine illustrators typically earn between $150 and $1,000 or more per illustration, depending on factors such as experience, publication size, and complexity of the artwork. Rates can vary widely, with freelance illustrators often negotiating fees based on project scope and usage rights.
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Magazine Illustrator jobs near you
Creative Director, Editorial

Creative Director, Editorial

The Atlantic Monthly Group

New York, NY • On-site

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

The Atlantic is seeking a Creative Director to oversee visual direction and brand expression across all editorial platforms-including the print magazine, website and app, podcasts, video, and live events. The Creative Director will manage The Atlantic's art department, and lead the team's work on design, illustration, and photography across The Atlantic's journalism.
The ideal candidate will be highly collaborative, an ambitious design mind, and able to think big while maintaining attention to detail. Their work should elevate The Atlantic's visual identity while maintaining its core sensibility and spirit.
Qualifications of the ideal candidate:
  • Demonstrated talent for leadership, including creative vision, people-management experience, and the ability to both identify and execute against goals
  • Astute design and journalistic sense, and facility with both conceptual and reportorial work
  • Strong organizational skills, including the ability to work effectively under deadlines and to manage concurrent projects
  • Established relationships with photographers, illustrators, and other artists, and a keen eye for emerging talent
  • Adaptability to change and grace under pressure
  • Clear communication skills and a collaborative spirit
  • Energized by a fast-paced and intensely demanding creative environment
  • Expertise with Adobe Creative tools, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign/K4

This position is based in New York City or Washington, D.C.
Salary minimum: $200,000; Salary maximum: $275,000
About The Atlantic:
The Atlantic has, for more than 160 years, advanced ideas that matter and sparked global conversation on the most important issues of our time. We aim to bring clarity and original thinking to questions of consequence, on topics ranging from politics, the economy, and global affairs to technology, science, and culture. As the third-longest-running magazine in America, we find ourselves at a remarkable moment: one of both continuation and transformation, of upholding our legacy while continuously reinventing ourselves for the future.
The Atlantic Monthly Group LLC ("The Atlantic") is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Atlantic is committed to diversity and encourages members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, LGBTQ people, people of color, and people with disabilities. We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Job offers to work at The Atlantic are contingent upon the candidate's successful completion of reference checks and compliance with The Atlantic's COVID-19 vaccination policy. The Atlantic requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, including subsequent boosters, and submit proof of vaccination status. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.

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