Illustration or Graphic Design?

This question comes up when students enter design school or go to college for visual arts. What is the difference? Most blogs define graphic design as commercial and illustration as more concerned with visual communication/fine art. I would agree if I didn’t work in the field. This is very poor explanation of the differences between these two fields.

Illustration refers to illustrated concepts, images created to tell a story, serve a purpose in conveying a brand, or create a visual experience. Graphic design aims to create user experiences of products, product materials, or brand identities. Graphic design involves producing websites, printed materials, marketing campaigns, and product materials for sale. Illustration and graphic design intersect when they both address the needs of a product. An illustrator or a graphic designer might be hired to create the surface of a product or product packaging. Illustrators also work in specialized fields such as children’s books.

Do you have a favorite illustration or illustrator? Share it in the comments below. In the next article I will discuss where you can find illustrators.