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Writer's pictureGary Wizart

Demystifying Editorial Illustration: What it is and How it Works

As we have seen in our previous article, Illustrations can and probably should be used wherever communication is needed. However, there are indeed some general types of illustration that are useful to be aware of if you ever consider becoming a professional illustrator. In this article, we'll take a closer look at what editorial illustration is all about, how it's used, and some examples of its impact.


Editorial illustration is probably the first type of illustration one would think of and it is true that it is an important domain of application. Editorial illustration refers to illustrations that are created to support a text usually in a book, newspaper, or magazine.

<a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/boy-sitting-stack-folder-with-reading-books-hand-drawn-sketch-vector-illustration_30138240.htm#query=newspaper%20illustration&position=39&from_view=search#position=39&query=newspaper%20illustration">Image by Rochak Shukla</a> on Freepik
Image by Rochak Shukla</a> on Freepik

Editorial illustrators must have a strong understanding of the written content they are illustrating, as well as a unique artistic vision. They use their artistic skills to create images that capture the essence of the message in a way that is both creative and informative. Editorial illustration can take many forms, including cartoons, infographics, and traditional illustrations.



Image by <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/atomic-love-wattpad-book-cover_21741512.htm#query=adult%20book%20cover&position=14&from_view=search&track=ais">Freepik</a>
Image by Freepik

Adult books often used illustrations for the front cover of the book but they can also be found within the book to illustrate a scene, visualize a concept, or just to create a mood.


Children’s books rely a lot on illustrations to tell the story, even more so when intended for the youngest audiences.



<a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/childs-story-book_832456.htm#query=picture%20book&position=15&from_view=search&track=ais">Image by eightonesix</a> on Freepik
Image by eightonesix on Freepik


In newspapers, illustrations are sometimes used to synthesize an idea but also to give a different perspective to the topic of an article. They can also be used to add a touch of humor or sarcasm.


The New Yorker magazine is well known for its editorial illustrations. They have worked with so many talented illustrators for their covers that it’s hard to pick just one but if you are curious, I recommend you take a look at the colorful world of Marcos Chin.


With the rise of digital media, the importance of visual content has only increased, making editorial illustration more important than ever. As we've seen in this blog post, editorial illustration is a diverse and dynamic art form that has the power to inform, inspire, and entertain readers around the world.

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