Technical Illustrator

Technical Illustrators create drawings that show how parts work together. You create these drawings using digital technology, and usually work primarily in some kind of engineering field (as that’s where stuff gets complicated and needs your skills to help create clear examples).

There are many profitable uses for your skills, and your audience ranges from the general public to highly trained professionals. IKEA, for example, has Technical Illustrators to thank for selling millions of TV cabinets to millions of do-it-yourselfers. And, if you’re a Technical Illustrator, you have IKEA to thank for a job.

But there are so many other ways to use your technical illustrating techniques without the burden of learning Swedish. If you have an understanding of engineering, for example, there is scientific, mechanical, or electrical engineering illustration for you to choose from.

Scale and perspective matter a lot in your drawings, so having a good understanding of the field you’re working in is key; find one and stick with it. Because of this, technical illustration is a good job for Engineers looking to do some side work: Having an intimate knowledge of how something works is your best weapon. Thus drawings done by an Engineer for an Engineer will be especially in demand.