The Army produces training manuals, newspapers, reports and promotional materials on a regular basis. Graphic artwork is used in these publications, as well as in signs, charts, posters, television and motion picture productions. As an integral member of the Army's multimedia team, the Multimedia Illustrator produces graphic artwork, drawings and other visual displays.

Multimedia Illustrators are primarily responsible for supervising, planning or operating multimedia imaging equipment in order to produce various kinds of visual displays and documents. Some of your duties as a Multimedia Illustrator may include:

• Create illustrations, layouts, map overlays, posters, graphs and charts in support of Army combat and non-combat operations
• Produce computer-generated graphics
• Draw graphs and charts to represent budgets, numbers of troops, supply levels and office organization
• Develop ideas and designing posters and signs
• Help instructors design artwork for training courses
• Draw cartoons for filmstrips and animation for films
• Work with television and film producers to design backdrops and props for film sets
• Perform maintenance on assigned equipment
• Perform preventive maintenance checks and services on assigned vehicles and generators

Job training for a Multimedia Illustrator requires of nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 13 weeks and one day of Advanced Individual Training and on-the-job instruction, including practice in preparing graphic designs and illustrations. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you learn are:

• Introduction to graphics, lettering, drawing and layout techniques
• Illustration and television graphic techniques
• Theory and use of color

Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in artwork or lettering
• Ability to convert ideas into visual presentations
• Neatness and an eye for detail

Advanced level Multimedia Illustrators provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level Multimedia Illustrator, you may be involved in:

• Direct the manipulation and enhancement of images
• Determine media, style, design and technical requirements for other illustrators to create, sequence and develop visual presentations
• Determine and develop sequences and manner of presentations

The skills you learn as a Multimedia Illustrator will help prepare you for a future as a graphic designer or illustrator with government agencies, advertising agencies, web design firms, print shops or engineering firms.

The Army offers certified apprenticeship training programs for some specialties within this occupation.

• Combat Documentation/Production Specialist (25V)
• Visual Information Equipment Operator-Maintainer (25R)

Learn more about the relationship between military training and civilian certification requirements.