Illustration Schools in New York

Today’s illustrators are more tech savvy and versatile than ever. The skills they possess can be used in a number of lucrative fields outside of entertainment. Today’s aspiring illustrators may find themselves working for a top technology firm, a law enforcement agency, science lab, medical institute, schools or even an engineering firm. Common careers for illustrators are still attractive (and lucrative), and include advertising, publishing, filmmaking, political cartoons, animation, and gaming. In the state of New York, you’ll find just about every type of illustration job you can think of, and then some.

The job scene for New York illustrators is great, but the art and culture scene is world class. For starters, The Empire State is home to dozens of famous art museums such as The Guggenheim Museum, The Whitney Museum of American Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Next, the state is home to the second largest population of salaried artists in the country. In 2010, the state was home to a staggering 180,010 salaried artists—the second highest population of salaried artists in the nation (California has the highest). Finally, “If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere,” is true and the financial rewards for “making it” are great. Just think, the average New York artist earns $68,370 a year. This is the highest average salary for artists in the nation.

Besides an amazing art and culture scene, unlimited job opportunities for aspiring illustrators, and top salaries, New York is home to a number of top-tier colleges that offer art programs. Many of these schools offer solid illustration programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Just a few popular options include the Fashion Institute of technology (FIT) and Syracuse University.

New York Illustration Schools

New York is home to several art schools and traditional colleges that offer a degree in illustration or a concentration in illustration. These schools may offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B. F. A.), Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), or both. Scroll through the list below to take a look at New York’s illustration schools and what they have to offer.

New York
Fashion Institute of Technology - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Computer Animation and Interactive Media, Graphic Design, Illustration; M. F. A. Illustration; A. A. S. Communication Design, Fine Arts, Illustration
Parsons The New School for Design - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Communication Design, Design and Technology, Illustration; M. F. A. Design and Technology

Oswego
State University of New York - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Studio Art with Concentration in Digital Media, Illustration

Queens
St. John’s University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Illustration

Rochester
Rochester Institute of Technology - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. 3D Digital Graphics, Film and Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration, New Media Design and Imaging; B. S. Game Design and Development, Media Arts and Technology, New Media Interactive Development; M. F. A. Computer Graphics Design, Film and Animation, Graphic Design; M. S. Game Design and Development

Syracuse
Syracuse University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Communications Design, Computer Art and Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration; M. F. A. Computer Art, Illustration

More Illustration related programs to consider:  

Employment and Salary Trends for New York Illustrators

New York is home around 1,100 salaried illustrators/fine artists and possibly thousands of independent illustrators. The population decreased slightly since 2006, when it stood at 1,130. Across the nation, there are more than 23,000 salaried fine artists/illustrators and thousands of independent artists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 9 percent increase in the population of illustrators between 2008 and 2018, when the talent pool is expected to reach 25,700.

While the population of salaried illustrators decreased slightly, salaries increased. In 2006, New York illustrators earned $54,970. In 2010, they earned $55,780. In 2010, the median annual wages of illustrators nationwide were $42,650. The lowest paid illustrators earned less than $20,780, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $83,410. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,230 and $60,650.

In the state of New York, the population for independent artists is possibly higher than the population of salaried artists. This may very well be the case in many states across the U.S. As such, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average salary of $51,340 for independent artists across the U.S. However, the Bureau also states that, “earnings for self-employed artists vary widely.” Newcomers to the field can expect to earn as much as the lowest paid (salaried) illustrators. Experienced freelance artists may earn more than the highest paid (salaried) illustrators. Independent artists are responsible for their own benefits, so this may affect salaries some.