Fashion Illustration
How to hire fashion illustrators
From handbags and accessories to dresses and suits, the fashion design process often kicks off with illustration. A fashion illustrator can help capture your artistic vision onto paper or computer.
So how do you hire fashion illustrators? What follows are some tips for finding top fashion illustrators on Upwork.
How to shortlist fashion illustration professionals
As you’re browsing available fashion illustration consultants, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the contractors you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:
- Product fit. You want a fashion illustrator who understands the type of product you’re trying to create.
- Project experience. Screen candidate profiles for specific skills and experience (e.g., designing jewelry with Rhinojewel).
- Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what it’s like to work with a particular fashion illustrator.
How to write an effective fashion illustration job post
With a clear picture of your ideal fashion illustrator in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project.
An effective fashion illustration job post should include:
- Scope of work: From concept art to 3D-printable designs, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
- Background: If you prefer experience with certain fashion products or design tools, mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.
Ready to get your fashion ideas down on paper or a computer screen? Log in and post your fashion illustration job on Upwork today.
FASHION ILLUSTRATORS FAQ
What is fashion illustration?
Fashion illustration (also known as fashion sketching) is the process of conveying fashion ideas through visual sketches or illustrations. A fashion illustrator will use paper or design software such as Adobe Illustrator to brainstorm ideas and draft preliminary designs that can eventually be transformed into physical products.
Here’s a quick overview of the skills you should look for in fashion illustration consultants:
- Fashion design and illustration
- Design tools such as Adobe Illustrator or Rhinoceros 3D
- Concept design
- Fashion-specific expertise (e.g., sewing, jewelry making, embroidery)
Why hire fashion illustrators?
The trick to finding top fashion illustrators is to identify your needs. Do you need help sketching your idea for a new handbag? Or do you have jewelry designs you need drawn in CAD (computer-aided design) software to be 3D printed? The cost of your project will depend largely on your scope of work and the specific skills needed to bring your project to life.
How much does it cost to hire a fashion illustrator?
Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.
- An experienced fashion illustrator may command higher fees but also work faster, have more-specialized areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
- A contractor who is still in the process of building a client base may price their fashion illustration services more competitively.
Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.