Illustration - Careers + Alumni
Graduates of the Studio Art – Illustration program possess knowledge, experience, and unique skills that are highly desirable and transferable, enabling them to seek employment in career fields both within and outside of the fine arts. Art degrees can lead to future work opportunities in a gallery, non-profit cultural organization, or museum.
Career Information
Studio Art majors develop careers as an independent artist or designer, can work in galleries, arts organizations, and museums, pursue graduate work and/or university teaching. Below is a list of possible career opportunities for Studio Art majors:
- Freelance artist/ entrepreneur
- Ceramist
- Jewelry designer
- Metalsmith/goldsmith
- Painter (portrait artist)/ mural artist
- Printmaker/screen printer
- Sculptor/ digital 3D modeler
- Graphic Designer
- Logo & Branding Designer
- Freelance illustrator
- Time-based artist
- Gallery owner/assistant/ director/ curator
- Exhibition planner/ coordinator
- Prop designer/ fabricator
- Window Display Designer
- Pattern Designer (wallpapers, carpets, etc.)
- Concept Artist
- User Interface Designer
- Web Designer
- Layout Designer
- Cartoonist/ graphic novelist
- Community-based artist
GVSU Career Center
Career Services at Grand Valley State University provides students with resources to choose their individual career path. They also offer frequent workshops and programs to help majors in all fields to prepare for life after graduation. Visit Career Services
Illustration Alumni
- Eric Ervine, Senior Graphics Editor and Art Department Manager, The Onion, Chicago, IL
- Jesse Gregg, Animator, IMDb
- Allyson Haller, Freelance Illustrator
- Jimmy Hasse, Senior Graphics Editor and Art Department Manager, The Onion, Chicago, IL
- Geoffrey Holstad, Cabin Time Artist Residency Designer, Patagonia
- Loreen Hospodar, Owner and Artist for Reenie Rose, Chicago, IL
- Kim Knoper (Main), Senior Scientific/Medical Illustrator, New England Journal of Medicine
- Laura Mayes, Illustrator; Designer, Hallmark
Alumni Websites
- Gwendolyn Basala
- Christy Beckwith
- Cam DeCaussin
- Randi Ford
- Jesse Gregg
- Allyson Haller
- Amy Hofacker
- Geoffrey Holstad
- Michael Hoskins
- Loreen Hospodar
- Jessica Hunter
- Aron Lowe
- Kim Main
- Laura Mayes
- Christina Mrozik
- Margaret Reed
- Jason Rood
- Dan Selleck
- Chris Shearer
- Kathy Mac Tran
- BreeAnn Veenstra
Alumni Clients, Employers and Experience
This selected list features companies and clients who once hired a GVSU illustration graduate. The list below showcases the wide range of skills students can acquire when enrolled at GVSU.
- American Greetings
- Beehive Collective
- Cabin Time Artist Residencies
- California Institute of the Arts
- Jason Edwards
- Colonial Williamsburg Costume Design Center
- Disney ABC Television Group
- Hallmark
- Herman Miller
- J. Peterman
- Juxtapoz.com
- Living Arts College
- New England Journal of Medicine
- NPR
- Patagonia
- ParaNorman
- Recycled Paper Greetings
- Richard Solomon / BreeAnn Veenstra
- Richard Solomon / Ian Vanderhill
- Sparrow Graphics
- State of Michigan, Education
- Utne Reader
- Ian Vanderhill Werewolves by Paul Jessup
- WWOOF-USA
- Zondervan Publishing
Other Areas
Art Education — Art History — Ceramics — Film & Video Production — Graphic Design — Illustration — Jewelry and Metalsmithing — Painting — Photography — Printmaking — Sculpture — Visual Studies