What is illustration?

The word 'Illustration', in terms of a job role, can not easily be defined. It is one of the many disciplines that fall under the genre of 'Art', and it is one that is often being questioned by fellow artists and critics.

"As our visual language evolves, the playing field is levelling. Graphic designers, sculptors, painters, creative developers, and even musicians amorphously meander across different parts of our creative industries. As a consequence, I often wonder what the term 'Illustration' now means. Maybe as a medium it might need to do more than vocationalise aesthetics and cultivate a broader palate of profundity for its own survival" Michael Salu. Artistic director of Granta Magazine 2012 Varoom.

First of all I find this statement rather contradictory; Salu has stated that musicians and sculptors etc, work across different areas of the arts industry, yet he does not question their meaning. There seems to be a fascination with trying to define illustration as well as questioning its content and motives, perhaps because it had recently stepped in to the foreground of the design industry and is continuing to evolve?

The definition of illustration is "a. The act of clarifying and explaining" Farlex 2012, and this is our main role. I am not sure that there needs to be a name change for illustration, although I am aware that there is a presumption of how an illustrator is expected to approach a task. Salu says that illustrators need to "cultivate a broader palate of profundity" and I have to agree. I do believe that it is important for an illustrator to be able to work across different fields; it makes you more knowledgeable, aware of all aspects of design, as well as broaden job opportunities. An illustrator can explain an idea through sculpture if necessary or adapt their work in to animation; they just need to have a keen eye to be able to visualise the correct medium to suit the brief, and execute it successfully.
Lord Whitney Create life sized illustrations and installations "Inspired by the nonsensical, humorous and the everyday, we approach each new project in an inventive and playful manner. Combining photography, prop making and set design with buckets of imagination"

Source: http://cargocollective.com/lordwhitney/JUST-SO-FESTIVAL

The line has indeed blurred between graphic designers and illustrators, When John Hill (The design editor of The Times) came in to speak to us at Stockport College, we asked him about his 'in house' team and he told us that he liked to mix them up, so they can dip in to other areas. Having people that had some understanding of all aspects of the job was important to him because he needed them all to be able to work well together.
People are not often aware that an illustrator can often do the job of a graphic designer too or visa versa for that matter, perhaps we need to advertise ourselves as more than an just an 'illustrator' because others may not be aware of what skills we have. We need state exactly what we are capable of.
Let's face it, clients are more likely to pay someone who can do more than one particular job, they will get more for their money.
Andre Da Loba is an illustrator who adapts his work to lift off the page, his website even has a link titled 'Catagories' so the Clients can actually look to see exactly what they will be able to use his work for.

Screen shot of website:http://www.andredaloba.com/

This is why I find it extremely important for me to create a portfolio that reflects all that I can do. I want clients to see my imagination and how I can turn an idea in to something visual as well as see my designs in a wide range of contexts. I can show my best illustrations, yes, but I can also show you how I can adapt them in to different outcomes.