Illustration Schools in Utah

Today’s illustrators have more career options than ever before. They can start a career in animation or gaming or they can study to work in the legal or medical fields. Just a few specific career options for illustrators include children’s book illustrator, advertising illustrator, video game illustrator, courtroom illustrator, storyboard artist, editorial illustrator, fashion illustrator, medical or technical illustrator, and fine artist.

In the state of Utah, aspiring illustrators may find employment in any of the areas mentioned. Just a few options include Riser Media, The Deseret News,
About Faces Entertainment, Epic Games Inc., Golden Street Animation (Provo, Utah), Amenat Studios, (Bountiful), Electronic Arts Inc., Too Many Legs Animation (Salt Lake City), Creative Media Group (Orem), M54 Entertainment (Provo), and Avalanche/Disney Interactive. Aspiring illustrators may also find employment at a variety of art centers, at a community college or a four-year university. Just a few options include Salt Lake Community College, The Art Institute of Salt Lake City, The Visual Art Institute, and Broadview Entertainment Arts University (BEAU).

Including BEAU, Utah is home to 41 Title IV colleges and universities total. many of them offer top tier programs for aspiring artists and designers—including illustrators. Continue reading to learn more.

Utah Illustration Schools

From traditional schools such as University of Utah to edgy educational institutions such as BEAU, Utah’s collection of colleges is one of the most diverse in the region. This means, students will find a major to match every career ambition. Although only a handful of Utah schools offer programs for illustrators, these excellent colleges are at the top of the list of “best schools in the region” for this popular major.

Orem
Utah Valley University (UVU) - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art and Visual Communications with Emphasis in Graphic Design, Illustration

Provo
Brigham Young University - Degrees Offered: B.S. Computer Science with Animation Emphasis, B. F. A. Animation, B.S. Computer Science with Graphics Specialization, B.F.A Graphic Design, B.F.A. Illustration

Salt Lake City
Broadview Entertainment Arts University (BEAU) - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Comic and Sequential Art, Digital Video and Media Production, Game Art, Graphic Design. According to the BEAU website, the B.F.A. in Comic and Sequential Art at was designed "for students who want to create cartoons, comic books, storyboards, graphic novels and animated features."

Employment and Salary Trends for Utah Illustrators

According to the latest report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (March 27, 2012), Utah is home to more than 15,770 salaried artists and designers, up from 13,800 in 2002. They average $42,690 per year, up from $34,700 in 2002. Of Utah’s 15,000+ salaried artists and designers, 220 are fine artists, up from 140 in 2006. They average $43,640 per year, down from $48,240 in 2006.

Although salaries decreased, they are still close to the national (median) average for fine artists. The median average for fine artists overall is $44,600. In addition, the State of Utah has the fifth highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation (of all states), and the Provo-Orem metropolitan area has the eighth highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation of all metro areas.

It is important to note that many illustrators are self-employed. The Bureau reports that the average salary for independent artists is $51,340. The average salary for independent illustrators is $49,930. Still, according to the Bureau, “earnings for self-employed artists vary widely.”

Illustrators new to the field (whether independent or salaried) can expect to earn as much as the lowest paid salaried illustrators ($19,150), while seasoned illustrators (independent or salaried) may earn more than the highest paid salaried illustrators ($90,050). In addition to experience, however, other factors such as type and size of the company, industry, job title, and even geographic location may affect earnings.

While illustrators can find employment in most Utah cities, some of the most lucrative positions can be found in principle cities such as Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Provo, West Jordan, Orem, Sandy, Ogden, St. George, and Layton. Other places worth looking into include Bountiful, Millcreek, Draper, Taylorsville, Murray, Logan, and Lehi.