illustration
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- Ell0
>resist the temptation to look for representation
-------------Well for example. You get yourself a weekly spot in a sunday supplement before you join an agency. Your contract with the agent stipulates they charge commission (30 -35%) on any jobs they get for you. Any clients you had prior to joining the agency or jobs you get privately, you will not pay commission on. So it good to join an agency when you have yourself a fair list of contacts, that way you may not have to pay agents fee's on everything you work on.
Don't get me wrong. I think agents are definately worthwhile and they can get you work in areas you'll never be able to promote yourself (internationally for example). But remember anyone can call themselves an agent, and if all they are doing is promoting you in a way you could easily do yourself. then they 30-35% looks even steeper.
- AlsoKnownAs0
Right, good point, I see what you mean.
Now I just gotta work on that authorship :) I'm really versatile (style-wise), and I appreciate so many different styles, that settling down to into one is going to be tough. And what I like in others' work is not necessarily what is most natural for me.
I can see how a major benefit of doing an illustration BA is to help you find your own visual language. But unfortunately that's just not an option. I'll have to find it another way.
Thanks, you've been a help.
- AlsoKnownAs0
Anyone else?
Besides having a unique style, it seems that self promotion is a big part of being a working illustrator.
Any other skills or things I should know?
I was also wondering whether it's important to reinvent your signature style every now and again, or is it better not to.
- AlsoKnownAs0
nudge
- Ell0
I was also wondering whether it's important to reinvent your signature style every now and again, or is it better not to.
AlsoKnownAs(aug 6 04, 05:02)
The most succesful illustrators allow their signature style to evolve gradually rather than every once in a while re-invent themselves. Again I think it all goes back to authorship
Marion Deuchars is a good person to look at
- Ell0
sorry!
- Ell0
i definately didn't leave a space in the url!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Ell0
fuck it
- AlsoKnownAs0
Hehe...
don't worry, i'm looking at it now.Truly awesome work there, giving me goosebumps just looking at.
Its a very sweet site too.
Is she your fav? Most influential to you?
PS: How hot is london?!! Frikken hell. I need a beach.
- arthur0
How long did it take you to break in to illustration?
Also, did you have to evolve your own unique style before you could get work or do you have different styles for different occasions?
AlsoKnownAs
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I've been doing this for 9 years and only the last few have been really successful.
I started out doing all kinds of styles - whatever I could get money doing. Then I realized if I wanted to get serious I needed to develop a recognizable style. That made all the difference.
You can make a very good living as an illustrator if you really give it all you've got. It's rare that I don't have at least 3 jobs at once. People seek me out and I don't ned to advertise at the moment.
Reps are OK but of course it's all a scam. They help get you some work that you might not have gotten on your own but they take a hefty cut. They might help you get started (once you have a style they think is marketable) - they might be able to get you some client work to build your portfolio, then it's up to you.
- Ell0
hey Arthur. I've been a fan of your work for a while now.
Really like the new stuff you done with Ogilvy
Really great work
- arthur0
I appreciate it Ell, thanks
- AlsoKnownAs0
Arthur, appreciate the response. I know your (very excellent :) work , so it's interesting to find out a bit about how you got there.
Hmm.... it's clearly about authorship. And that agents aren't everything they're cracked up to be.
- kodap0
Agents are there for the worst and the best..
fortunately, my biggest gigs were directly from clients, it makes things much easier. but for starting in the main, a Rep is the way.
Only with a solid portfolio and good self marketing- for a start, you can succeed in this market. took me about 4 years to get on it thou.
I had to make graphic design to pay for the loans, rent and school bills. so it's kind of hard to start a work where people recognize your creativity and pay you to do that on your own...
etc.. etc..
- kodap0
oh.. and drawing experience is essential, unless yu have incredible skills
- arthur0
Agents are good and bad. I've had a few but only one at the moment in the US.
I wouldn't rely on an agent to get you all of your work. I get about 15% of my work from agents - sometimes more, sometimes less. I consider them "supplemental income." They bring things in once in awhile and then you (should) have say regarding fees and acceptance.
I honestly fail to see how they can justify taking around 30% of the illustrator's money. It's a business and they're gonna take as much as they can, but it really isn't rocket science.
- arthur0
I agree with Kodap.
You need some time to get started. It's good if you can have some other income or a very supportive partner.
- AlsoKnownAs0
Thanks Kodap.
My drawing skills are good, I'm very confident of that, so I'm glad to hear that it's important.
I'm currently a web designer so I can keep doing it until I can transfer fully to illustration.
I definitely want to - I've just got to figure out how to make it happen - so thanks for the input.
- kodap0
first thing you shuold do is buing an illustrators annual, Communications arts or something similar to put some of your ideas in practice.. some inspiration is always good, as long as you don't blatantly rip off.
- kodap0
(sorry for my spell)