Illustration programs prepare people to apply artistic techniques to designs and ideas developed by others. Students learn how to layout text, draw cartoons, and apply color to objects such as books, fashion designs, and maps.

Harvey Pekar is the author of the comic book series "American Splendor" (which was made into a movie in 2003). He has been writing the series for decades. Notice the word "writing." Mr. Pekar doesn't illustrate his books. Instead, he collaborates with artists to bring his words to life.

This situation can be applied to more than comics. Many writers rely on illustrators to create the scenes they write about in children's books. Textbook writers need figures and drawings to show the concepts. Maps need to be drawn correctly and in some cases, artistically.

Illustration, then, is more than coloring in. It uses many of the techniques of the fine arts, including designing, sketching, and painting. Illustrators need to understand different genres of art, from naturalism to modern. They also need to have a thorough understanding of color theory. Many illustrators also know how to use graphic design software.

A good illustration program will teach you all these things. It will also teach you how to work with authors and designers to truly understand their vision.

About 45 schools offer illustration programs. They may be traditional colleges and universities with arts departments, or private art institutes. In most cases, you can receive either a BFA or MFA. A BFA is a bachelor's of fine arts, while the MFA is a master's of the same. In general, BFA program take four years to complete, and an MFA takes an additional two.

A few schools offer two-year degrees in illustration. However, these aren't common, and in this field, a BFA is considered the minimum necessary to begin a successful career.