Well, I hadn't meant to start a ruckus. I posted the question on the illustration and design discussion e-groups I subscribe to: What exactly is the difference between graphic design and illustration? Opinions flew, tempers flared! Days later the topic is still being hotly debated. The answers vary widely, beginning with the extremely simplistic view that illustrators have drawing talent while designers use the computer to do page layout, set type, and place logos.
The subscribers posted these opinions: Illustrators create a piece of artwork that is taken by a designer and re-purposed into an ad, poster, package, or brochure. Graphic design encompasses much more than illustration. Graphic designers don't have much interest or need for freehand skills like drawing and painting. Illustration and graphic design both explore the interrelationship between text and image. Graphic designers are more interested in a new font than an image. Illustrators have a preference and love for traditional media. A good illustrator is probably a good designer, but the reverse may not be true. Graphic design is more concerned with selling a product or service. Designers treat illustrators like employees. Illustrators are at least civil to designers. There are huge differences between the two in personality types; they're like oil and water. Design and illustration are definitely two distinct art forms. The two fields blur pretty thoroughly. They overlap so much it's hard to tell when an illustration becomes a design. One can't exist without the other. They are not the same kind of work, but plenty of people do both and excel at both.
One subscriber, "lynn," sums it up beautifully. She poses the question to her students who are deciding between a career in design or illustration: "If you could spend the rest of your life having a love affair with type or with the figure, which would you choose? The answer is a personal one and will form your decision."
So there you have it, a description of the art of illustration is open to debate! Perhaps that adds to its intrigue.
By definition, under the category of visual art there are three types of artists: fine artists, graphic designers, and illustrators. Fine art is created to satisfy the artist's own need for self-expression. Fine artists work independently and generally work in one of several fields: drawing, painting, sculpture, or printmaking. On the other hand, graphic design and illustration are used for commercial purposes - to sell a service or product.
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