Studying to become an Illustrator...

[*Bendetta*]

Hey there

Wanted to ask about this subject around... I'm a dominican girl who's just finishing my high school studies and am almost graduating. After that I'm going to the U.S to study professional Illustration/animation (Ex: Working on a company designing original characters for a new anime). I was wondering how these things are handled in Japan, since I hope to be good enough to be accepted by one of their companies and work as an illustrator for them . Being a forgeiner I guess somehow it'll be hard to get it, wich is why I'd like some help about this, how this whole Illustration working thing works in Japan... so... Help please...

 

[GaijinPunch]

I know one illustrator, and one graphics designer (English and Turkish-Candian respectively). I know one of them has a very successful career. I'm not so sure about the other one, as I didn't know him for that long, but he did have a job within a Japanese firm. The illustrator is freelance, and always has been. It's definitely possible, but I think being in Japan will help your chances of this for many reasons - one is that it will expose you to the style that Japanese design houses are looking for. Speaking Japanese, of course, won't hurt.

 

[hamutha]

hummm i don't know much 'bout it...but my girlfriend's cousin have try it once (he live in US) to become a illustrator for Japan anime comic. Quite tough he said and also the overseas makes the internet connection not very well (if he's been chasing by the deadline he must send the illust on time).
Ohhh....and he said you must prepare lots of the portfolio for the resume's. So you must have a bunch of ideas. That's a tiny information from me , hope it's usefull.

ganbatte ne

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

Because there is association of illustrator, please talk with here
Japan Illustrator's Association
http://jpn-illust.com/index_e.html

 

[Harvey]

My friend is a foreign illustrator for a big game company in Tokyo! And her first job was doing illustration for some other co. too. It's possible.

 

[*Bendetta*]

Thank you all for your replies! I'll take all this in count Thankfully one thing I got is creativity... gotta have something from a designer mother

Again, thanks!!!

 

[hamutha]

yosh !! ganbatte ne
we all wish for the best for you

 

[*Bendetta*]

Thanks! I've been dreaming of becoming an Illustrator for a long time, even took IQ/personality/interests/aptitudes evaluations and it all points to fine arts and music, wich couldn't suit me better So I'm really into it ^^