Tips on Becoming an Illustrator in Nevada

The state of Nevada is popular for its desert casinos and limitless visual entertainment venues.  As a result, talented artists throughout the state enjoy successful careers in the field of graphic arts, particularly in the highly specialized area of commercial illustration.

Nevada Schools and Training Programs for Illustrators

Nevada is nationally known for supporting several colleges and countless private instructors who offer individual training, classes, workshops and degree programs in illustration.  Aspiring Nevada illustrators often focus on fine arts, digital graphics or communications design.  Nevada colleges with graphic arts departments include University of Nevada in Las Vegas, Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Great Basin College in Elko and the International Academy of Design and Technology in Henderson.  Local artists seeking a less formal educational approach might contact Cosmic Ink Design Studios in Las Vegas. 

Nonetheless, numerous Nevada illustrators choose to acquire professional skills and degrees online.  Successful accredited virtual fine arts colleges include the National University, Academy of Art University, Post University, DeVry, Full Sail University, Stratford Career Institute, University of Phoenix, The Art Institutes and ITT Tech.  In many cases, online art colleges are franchises maintaining numerous physical locations.  University of Phoenix has campuses in Las Vegas, Reno and Henderson.  ITT Tech is located in Las Vegas and Henderson.  The Art Institute and DeVry both maintain Henderson facilities.

Working as an Illustrator in Nevada

Many talented Nevada illustrators create corporate artwork for local graphic design firms like Northstar Graphic in Las Vegas, Retro Graphic in Reno, Leedon Graphics in Sparks, Graphic Traffic in Carson City and Jad Graphics in Henderson, for example.  Other local detail artists work for leading engineering firms like Boyle Engineering in Las Vegas, GA Engineering in Reno, Gomez Consulting in Henderson, MacKay-&-Somps in Sparks and Uni-Tec Consulting Engineers in Carson City, among others.  Some local illustrators create colorful anatomical designs for medical illustration companies such as Advanced Medical Arts in Reno, Rocking Horse Illustration in Carson City or Lakeside Medical in Gardnerville.  Other Nevada-based businesses in need of illustrators include movie producers, real estate agents, videographers, greeting card companies and advertising agencies. 

Professional illustrators employed full time in the state of Nevada claim an average annual earning of about $53,080, with a reported mean hourly rate of roughly $25.50.  Nevada corporations employ approximately seventy full time illustrators.  This data does not reflect the salaries of part time illustrators, freelance professionals or local artists employed by offshore businesses.      

Skills of a Professional Illustrator

Professional illustration artists are highly proficient at hand-rendering innovative, detailed, sophisticated artwork in a broad variety of visual settings.  Illustrators create  logos, icons, banner ads, layout, typography, characters and more.  Their experience spans the entire design, production, media transfer and printing process.  Most illustrators are also familiar with various illustration software programs.  Popular varieties include Quark Xpress, Simply-3D, Ulead-Photo-Impact, Inkscape and Adobe Premier.