Illustrator: meaning, definitions and examples

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illustrator

[ˈɪləstreɪtər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

graphic design

A person who creates illustrations for books, magazines, advertisements, etc. They use their artistic skills to convey a message or tell a story through visual images.

Synonyms

artist, drawer, graphic designer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
illustrator	Focuses on producing images to accompany text in books, advertisements, and other media, often with a unique style and interpretation. As an illustrator, he created visuals for the cookbook. They hired an illustrator to bring their storybook characters to life.
artist	A broad term that can refer to anyone who creates visual art, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators. It is often used when talking about the creative process and artistic expression in general. He is an artist known for his abstract paintings. The artist's work was displayed in the local gallery.
graphic designer	Refers to someone who uses computer software to create visuals for websites, advertisements, and branding. It often involves combining images and text to communicate a message. The graphic designer created a stunning logo for the new startup. She works as a graphic designer for a marketing agency.
drawer	Usually refers to someone who draws, but is less commonly used in everyday language. It can sound somewhat informal or old-fashioned. She is an excellent drawer and loves sketching portraits. As a child, he was always known as the best drawer in the class.

Examples of usage

The illustrator did a fantastic job bringing the author's characters to life.
She hired an illustrator to create the cover art for her new novel.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

technology

A software program used for creating illustrations, such as drawings, diagrams, and other visual representations.

Synonyms

design software, drawing tool, graphic editor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
illustrator	Can also refer to specific software, notably Adobe Illustrator, which is widely used for creating vector graphics. He created the logo in Illustrator. Adobe Illustrator is a popular tool among graphic designers.
design software	Refers to computer programs used for creating and editing designs, including graphics, layouts, and more. He used the design software to create the website layout. Design software allows professionals to produce stunning visuals quickly.
drawing tool	Can refer to any instrument or software feature used for drawing, whether digital or traditional. The pencil is a common drawing tool for artists. The drawing tool in the app lets you sketch directly on your tablet.
graphic editor	Denotes software specifically used for creating and editing images and graphics. He edited the photo using a powerful graphic editor. Learning to use a graphic editor is essential for any digital artist.

Examples of usage

She used an illustrator to design the logo for her startup.
The new version of the illustrator includes advanced features for digital art.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

animator

An illustrator in the field of animation who creates visual elements for films, cartoons, and other animated media.

Synonyms

animation artist, cartoonist, visual designer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
illustrator	Used for professionals who create detailed artwork for books, magazines, posters, and other media. Illustrators focus on visual storytelling and often work on a single image at a time. The illustrator did an amazing job bringing the children's book characters to life. We hired an illustrator to create the cover for our new album.
animation artist	Used for experts who create animated sequences for movies, television shows, video games, and other digital media. Animation artists bring static images to life through motion and often work on frames or sequences. She worked as an animation artist for a popular cartoon series. We need an animation artist to help with the graphics for our new game.
cartoonist	Typically used for creators who draw comics or humorous illustrations, often for newspapers, magazines, or online media. The term generally carries a light-hearted or entertaining connotation. The cartoonist's strip in the Sunday newspaper always makes me laugh. He became famous as a political cartoonist.
visual designer	Refers to professionals who focus on the appearance and aesthetics of digital and print media, such as websites, apps, branding, and advertising. Their role often involves creating cohesive visual experiences. The visual designer revamped our website to be more user-friendly. She’s responsible for the visual design of our new marketing campaign.

Examples of usage

The illustrator worked closely with the animators to bring the characters to life.
She trained as an illustrator before transitioning into animation.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'illustrator' comes from the Latin 'illustrare', meaning 'to make light' or 'to clarify' which reflects the role of an illustrator in making ideas clear through images.
In the English language, it was first used in the 17th century to describe those who add illustrations to books.
The suffix '-tor' in 'illustrator' indicates someone who performs an action, emphasizing the active role of creating images.

Art History

During the Middle Ages, most illustrations were created for religious texts, serving to educate the public about biblical stories.
The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed illustrators to reach a wider audience, as printed books began to include images.
In the 19th century, illustrators like Gustave Doré became famous for their detailed and imaginative illustrations in literary works.

Pop Culture

Famous illustrators like Dr. Seuss created beloved characters and worlds that continue to captivate children and adults alike.
In contemporary media, many films and video games heavily rely on illustrators to create storyboards and character designs that shape the visual experience.
Comic book artists are sometimes also called illustrators, as their drawings are integral to storytelling in graphic novels.

Education

Illustrators play a vital role in children's books, helping to develop literacy by providing visual context to stories.
Many educational materials use illustrations to simplify complex concepts, making learning more effective and engaging.
Art classes often teach illustration as a way for students to express themselves and communicate ideas visually, fostering creativity.

Technology

With advancements in digital technology, illustrators now use software tools like Adobe Illustrator to create art that can be easily edited and shared.
Online platforms allow illustrators to showcase their work and connect with audiences globally, changing the way art is created and consumed.
3D modeling and animation are new fields for illustrators, expanding their ability to create immersive visual experiences in gaming and film.

Translations

Translations of the word "illustrator" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ilustrador

🇮🇳 चित्रकार

🇩🇪 Illustrator

🇮🇩 ilustrator

🇺🇦 ілюстратор

🇵🇱 ilustrator

🇯🇵 イラストレーター

🇫🇷 illustrateur

🇪🇸 ilustrador

🇹🇷 illüstratör

🇰🇷 삽화가

🇸🇦 رسام توضيحي

🇨🇿 ilustrátor

🇸🇰 ilustrátor

🇨🇳 插画家

🇸🇮 ilustrator

🇮🇸 myndskreytingamaður

🇰🇿 иллюстратор

🇬🇪 ილუსტრატორი

🇦🇿 illüstrator

🇲🇽 ilustrador

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,743, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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19740 unrelenting
19741 befallen
19742 wistful
19743 illustrator
19744 heaviness
19745 segregate
19746 categorize
...