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First, some facts. Of the Illustration graduates from Pacific Northwest College of Art we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, Illustration graduates from Pacific Northwest College of Art have a lower likelihood (-6%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 30% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Illustration graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from Pacific Northwest College of Art with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Illustration. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONMotion Designer Think Joule Jan 2018 - Jul 2019 Motion Graphic Designer GuideSpark Aug 2019 - Dec 2019 Senior Motion Designer quango Jan 2020 - Jan 2022 Freelance Motion Designer Rodenbeck Media Company Jan 2022 - Present Senior Motion Graphics Designer Power Home Remodeling Apr 2024 - Present ABOUTI'm a nerd about 3D, animation and the related technologies. In love with beauty and chasing the concept of it in all things, my mission is to leave behind a more beautiful world for all. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From analyzing the job history of graduates with a degree in Illustration from the Pacific Northwest College of Art, it seems like the most common types of jobs they’ve landed are related to art and design, particularly in roles like Freelance Illustrator, Motion Designer, and various teaching positions. Many of these roles, such as Lead Artist or Contract Artist, directly tap into the illustration skills developed during their studies, which is awesome because it shows that a lot of graduates are actively using what they learned. On the other hand, some graduates have taken on roles that don’t really relate to illustration at all, like retail positions or administrative jobs, which can make it feel like their art education isn't being fully utilized.
In general, while there are certainly relevant positions that align well with their Illustration degree, there's also a noticeable spread into jobs that don’t leverage those specific skills. This highlights a common trend where some graduates might struggle to find roles directly tied to their artistic training. It’s a mixed bag, with some successfully carving out a niche in creative roles while others seem to drift into fields where their illustration expertise isn’t as significant. So, if you're thinking about pursuing illustration, it's definitely good to have a backup plan or be open to various roles where you can still keep your creative spirit alive, even if they aren't directly in the illustration field!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Illustration graduates (this is across all Illustration graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Pacific Northwest College of Art):
Graduates from the Illustration program at the Pacific Northwest College of Art have had a mixed bag of career trajectories after finishing their degrees. Many of them landed creative positions right after graduation, with roles such as freelance illustrators and motion designers, which align closely with their study focus. However, it's clear that not all graduates found their way into ideal roles within their field. A number of them took on jobs in unrelated areas, such as retail or administration, that don't tap into their illustration skills. This suggests that while there are opportunities in the creative sector, they can be competitive and sometimes lead grads to take jobs outside their desired career paths initially.
Looking five or ten years down the line, a few graduates certainly moved up into more specialized roles in their field, such as lead designers and adjunct professors, which indicates some success stories. Others, however, seem to have settled into more conventional roles or unrelated jobs, like administration or retail. The variance in these career paths speaks to both the diverse opportunities available in the creative world and the realities of job hunting after college. Overall, it appears that while some graduates have truly thrived in illustration-related careers, others have faced challenges that drew them away from their original passion.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Illustration, whether at Pacific Northwest College of Art or elsewhere, can be a pretty challenging ride. It’s not just about drawing; you’ll dive into a mix of art techniques, storytelling, digital tools, and even some business stuff, which can be overwhelming at times. You’re really expected to push your creativity and develop a strong personal style, and that can take a lot of work and dedication. Plus, you’ll likely face critiques from your peers and instructors that can be tough to handle, but it's all part of the growth process. So, if you’re super passionate about illustration and ready to put in the effort, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience, even if it gets a little hard along the way!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Illustration.
Looking at the job history of these Illustration graduates from the Pacific Northwest College of Art, it seems like most of them have had a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some of them, like the Motion Designers and the Footwear Color Designer at Nike, are likely pulling in pretty solid salaries, especially given the demand for those skills. However, others have slid into roles that are more on the lower end, like retail or teaching positions that might not pay as much. So, it really varies from person to person—some seem to be doing well, while others might just be getting by, especially considering that a lot of them are also doing freelance work on the side. Overall, it's clear that while some are thriving, others are still finding their way in the job market!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Illustration (this is across all Illustration graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Pacific Northwest College of Art). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Illustration (ordered by the average relevance score of their Illustration graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 ArtCenter College of Design
|
83 | 16 |
 Ringling College of Art and Design
|
79 | 17 |
 Columbus College of Art & Design
|
72 | 16 |
 Rhode Island School of Design
|
71 | 15 |
 Savannah College of Art and Design
|
65 | 40 |
 Academy of Art University
|
65 | 13 |
 Maryland Institute College of Art
|
65 | 13 |
 School of Visual Arts
|
61 | 20 |
 Pacific Northwest College of Art
|
61 | 10 |
 Fashion Institute of Technology
|
59 | 19 |