Illustration vs Graphic Communication

Illustration and graphics often overlap due to them being closely related fields. Therefore understanding the difference can be more difficult than one would expect and it can be important for employers to know which job would be more appropriate for their purposes. Both roles are essentially focussed on producing an image using varied creative techniques. The difference lies in who does what job in order to complete a piece of work with graphic designers generally spending more time on the complete image and formatting while illustrators focus on one part of an image.

Graphic DesignersGraphic Design work tends to be more commercial as opposed to illustration which is considered to be more like fine art. Graphic Designers more often than not are attempting to convey a message or convince an audience to buy into a product. They do this by communicating in a range of visual information, concerning themselves with layout typography branding and image development.

A piece of pure graphic design.

Illustrators
Illustration requires very creative visualisation skills. Things like using imagery to visually represent or decorate the text on a page. As illustrators possess a creative eye they can often excel in graphic design work although not to the same standard as someone who has had the relevant training. To a lesser extent many Graphic Designers are also talented illustrators.  

A piece of pure illustration

In most instances the graphic designer will create the work and determine the need for an illustrator as they go. When the designer requires an image that they cannot create the work is assigned to an Illustrator who will then create a relevant piece of work which the designer will apply to the layout of the overall project.

Arguably both illustration and graphic design

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http://theinspirationgrid.com/faces-illustration-series-by-vince-low/
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