The World of an Illustrator

An A-Z list of different jobs within the Illustration industry

A:
Animator
Architecture
Animal Illustrator
Advertising

B:
Bags

C:
Children's Illustrator
Cartoons (1)
Concept designer

D:
Designer
Decorative illustrator

E:
Educational publications (2)
Editorial work
Etching printer

F:
Fashion designer
Freelance

G:
Graphic designer
Greetings cards (3)

H:
Home ware designer

I:
Illustrator
Interior designer

J:
Jigsaw puzzle designer

K:

L:
Letter press

M:
Magazines
Merchandise designer
Medical journals (4)

N:
Newspapers

O:

P:
Printer
Publisher
Pattern designer

Q:

R:

S:
Stencil printer
Shopping bags
Screen prints
Shop windows/interiors
Storyboard (5)

T:
Technician
Textbooks (6)
Theatre Scenery Designer

U:
Upholstery Designer

V:
Video Games (7)

W:
Writer/Illustrator of books
Wrapping Paper (8)

X:

Y:

Z:

As you can see from the list of jobs above, there are many ways of working as an illustrator. It’s important to have your own blog or website as it “can help get your name out there in the art world.”(9) Having an online domain makes it easy for potential clients to view your work and see the kind of stuff you do. Illustrator Emma Block, shared that “the positive feedback encouraged me, and I continued to produce work and share it online.”(10) A blog or website is easy to update with your most recent work therefore keeping it relevant to the everyday market of illustration.

Although working as a freelance illustrator proves successful to many, it is also useful to “get an agent” (11) as Emma Block explained in her article “the Bright Agency, who have been wonderful and worked hard to keep me in work.” (12) If there is a time when you don’t have much work coming in or work to do, having an agent means that they have the responsibility of finding work for you, instead of you finding it yourself.

It is important to have a number of skills as this means that you are versatile in your way of working and “you will need to be able to adapt your way of thinking and illustrating to fit a client’s brief.”(13) You may one day be presented with a brief that is completely out of your comfort zone but “having great technical skills”…means “you will be much more efficient and responsive when clients have feedback.” (14) Clients aren’t always going to be happy with the work you first present them and they may ask you to make some changes. This is where being competent with skills, especially digital, come in handy as it is a quick and sufficient way of altering a piece of work.

Working as an illustrator “requires self-confidence and self-knowledge.” (15) It is important to know what you are capable of and advertise your own work. You will need to make new contacts frequently to keep your client list extending “get on the phone, blog, email new people, set up new meetings, send stuff in the post” (16) basically just constantly work on getting yourself known.

It is also important to be able to deal with rejection. “Not every job offer will turn into actual work.” (17) The illustration industry is competitive and clients will often decide to go with a different illustrator. However, when this happens it is important to “ask for feedback and act on it” (18). The only way you will be able to better yourself is by working on the areas that are failing you.


References:
(1) Learn.org
(2) Learn.org
(3) Learn.org
(4) Learn.org
(5) Learn.org
(6) Learn.org
(7) Learn.org
(8) Learn.org
(9) Block, Emma (2011)
(10) Block, Emma (2011)
(11) Wray, Anna (2014)
(12) Block, Emma (2011)
(13) Wray, Anna (2014)
(14) Williams, Nate
(15) Wray, Anna (2014)
(16) Wray, Anna (2014)
(17) Block, Emma (2011)
(18) Wray, Anna (2014)


Block, Emma (2011) Becoming a professional illustrator: an insider’s guide. http://www.theguardian.com/careers/working-professional-illustrator-insiders-guide

Learn.Org What Are My Career Options in Illustration? http://learn.org/articles/Illustration_Careers_What_Are_My_Job_Options.html.

Williams, Nate How to start your illustration career. http://www.n8w.com/wp/552

Wray, Anna (2014) 5 things you need to become a successful illustrator http://www.creativebloq.com/illustration/successful-illustrator-41411369  

My Personal Intentions

11th November 2014:

Whilst studying Illustration I would most like to follow the path of Children’s Illustration, this would be for books, posters, cards or to use for teaching purposes. I am interested in this area because I have previously worked with children ranging from the ages of new born to 8 years old. I find it fascinating how children’s minds work and the sort of questions they ask. Therefore I think I would be able to reflect some of these questions that they ask into my work and children would therefore respond well to work that I create.
In my future practice I am extremely interested in Interior Design as I like the idea of making my artistic mark on something larger than just a piece of paper. I am hoping to go on and complete a Post-Graduate Course in this field after Illustration. I see this as an exciting area to go into and more of a realistic approach into the artistic industry for myself.  
For my work experience I would like to find a way of combining the two different areas, either together, separately or in a field similar to either so that I get an idea of those sort of working conditions and pressures. Listed below are different places that I would consider contacting for work experience.

I would also like to hear about what it is like working as a freelance illustrator as I believe that that is how most artists/illustrators make a living nowadays and I would like to find out how many ‘contacts’ a typical illustrator would have, and how beneficial these are to their work. I would also like to find out if most illustrators only work to a brief set to them by other parties ie. Companies, commissions etc. or whether they mostly create their own work and then sell it on. I would find these points beneficial as they would give me more of an idea of how it is to work in the real world. I would find these out by contacting and interviewing a number of established illustrators.

Places I could contact for work experience:
1. Schools
2. Therapy classes for children/people with disabilities
3. After school clubs
4. Youth clubs
5. Nurseries

Businesses to contact:
1. Beehive Illustration - http://www.beehiveillustration.co.uk/
2. Children’s Illustrators - http://www.childrensillustrators.com/
3. Illustration - http://www.illustrationweb.com/styles/children

I’m not overly sure who or what sort of work places to contact for Interior Design work experience just yet.

Possible artists and Illustrators who I could contact for interviews are:
1. Sarah Leigh Wills – ‘The Happy Designer’ - http://www.happydesigner.co.uk/
2. Jane Swift - http://www.janeswift.co.uk/default.html
3. Adam Clay - http://www.adamclay.info/
4. Ian Ward - http://www.ianrward.co.uk/
5. Rob Anderson - http://www.robtheillustrator.co.uk/

19th April 2015:
Looking back at when I first wrote my intentions as an illustrator, I have found that I focussed my work experience more on Freelance work than for Children or Interior Design. I have learnt a lot from working in a Freelance manner as I have worked to deadlines, to a brief and created work that has been both successful and unsuccessful. It was useful emailing other illustrators and finding out how they work as this also gives me an insight into the illustration world.

After all the research and work I have done in this module and the influence of the other modules I have studied this year, I am interested in working on my own Children's books in the future. In my Children's Illustration Module I felt that I had a true focus and determination to make it the best piece of work I could and I also really enjoyed creating it despite the extremely hard work and hours that went into it. I feel that writing and illustrating my own books as a Freelance Illustrator is a useful way to work in this industry. I can also take on other authors books to illustrate to extend my creative skills and ideas.

Promotional Materials

This is a great promotional item. It is a pocket mirror which makes it a useful piece of promotional material for the person who has received it. It is a handy item to have and with the label on the packaging matching the item that is inside (this is used on all of the items as you can see in the first image) you will always relate the item to 'CHARLOTTE PAYNE ILLUSTRATION'.
This item is very professionally made, the printing is very sharp in colour and pattern and the packaging is simple yet does its intended job well.

A good promotional item is one that you can engage with and one that has a use. Something that someone isn't going to want to throw away. This coaster puzzle is exactly that. It requires you to use your hands and once it has been put together 'Ruth Musson Illustration' is always going to remind the customer of that illustrator. With it also being a coaster it has an extra use, it's not just a puzzle that will be sitting around. This item is great for in an office, if someone has five minutes with nothing to do, they can do a puzzle. I think the printing could have been more bold and it could stand out more, as it isn't very clear with the puzzle design but I think it's a great idea.

 

A shopping bag is a very useful promotional material. Not only does it have a use, but it has a lovely illustration on the front and if a customer uses the bag when out and about other people will see the illustration and will think of looking into 'Bys Vynitha Illustration'. The quality of the print is great, the colours used stand out but they aren't over powering.

 

 

 

Business cards are always good for promoting yourself. A small piece of card that can fit in a purse or wallet and has all your details on it, although you cant see the details in this image.
I think it's a great idea to have different illustrations on business cards, it shows a range of art work and taste, and if someone picks up more than one business card without realising, you're in with more of a chance of them contacting you. The print quality is great and the images stand out well on the white background.

 

 



Hand made jewellery is always something that people are more inclined to keep. If someone is wearing the jewellery they will more than likely be asked where they got the jewellery from, resulting in your name and work being spread by word. The packaging stands out and makes the item the main focus but with the name of the artist still very visible.

 

 

There are many creative ways to make promotional material. I would be inclined to attach a business card with every type of promotional item, as your details will always go with your illustrations. It's clear that items that have a use are the best as they will not be discarded straight away. Items that will be seen by many people are also good as this will more than likely get you more customers.  

 

 

 

 

 

 



Correspondence with other Illustrators

I sent a few questions to established illustrators to find out bit more about what it is like to work as an Illustrator in the real world. Some emails were more successful than others as not everybody was able to reply, but the answers I received from the Illustrators who did reply were very useful.

My email:

Dear Ian Ward,

My name’s Lizzy Mason, I am currently in my second year studying Illustration at the University of Gloucestershire. I am highly interested in Children’s Illustration and I am working towards making a Children’s book as my final project.
I have come across your work and I am very interested in your style.
I was wondering if you could take five minutes to answer a few questions about your practice as an established Illustrator.

1. How did you first get started in Illustration?
2. How many projects do you tend to work on at one time?
3. How many days a week do you work?
4. How many hours in a day do you work?
5. What inspires you to do the sort of work you do?
6. Do you work from references or imagination?
7. How did you initially promote your work when you first started as an illustrator?
8. Are there any projects you wish you hadn’t done?
9. Do you mostly illustrate your own ideas or other people’s ideas?
10. What is your most preferred way to work?
    
    Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my email and I hope to hear back from you soon.
    
    Yours sincerely,
    
    Lizzy Mason

Ian's Reply:
Hi Lizzy,

1. How did you first get started in Illustration?

I was a graphic designer to start with, doing odd bits of illustration before going solo about 20 years ago.
It's interesting that not all Illustrators begin at Illustration but somehow end up there. Graphic Design "may include images, words, or graphic forms" (1) whereas Illustration focusses a lot more on just the image and artwork. This would suggest that Ian Ward prefers to use imagery over text and graphics.

2. How many projects do you tend to work on at one time?
2 or 3 at a time.
I asked this question because I work on a few projects at a time at University so I was wondering if there was the same amount of pressure in the real world. Knowing this means that I can prepare myself appropriately for the work load and know the limit of how many things I can do at once.

3. How many days a week do you work?
5 days a week unless very busy.
It's interesting to know that an Illustrator works the same number of days as most other people in different jobs, and that they do occasionally work over time if there's a lot of work to do.

4. How many hours in a day do you work?
4 or 5 hours.
This is less hours than I was expecting. I find that working 7 hours (sometimes more) is a sufficient amount of time to work myself. I usually get into the flow of the work I am doing once I've been working for a few hours, so for me I would continue for a while after. Ian may work in a different way to myself and can get a lot done in those 4-5 hours.

5. What inspires you to do the sort of work you do?
Getting paid!
This is a very honest answer, and of course the main reason anyone works is to get paid. However, this gives the impression that Ian may not enjoy the work he does and he only does it to get paid.

6. Do you work from references or imagination?
Both, mostly reference.
It's very difficult to create pieces of work without any reference, I know that I reference quite a lot. I think it's important to reference from primary sources though as you can capture the exact image you are looking for. Secondary sources do not always provide you with exactly what you are looking for.

7. How did you initially promote your work when you first started as an
illustrator?
Cold calling followed by a posted leaflet!
I suppose this is the easiest way of getting your name into the industry when you first start out. Cold Calling is a great way of promoting yourself as other people are going to have to listen to you. People will take more notice of persistence and putting your work out there to be seen.

8. Are there any projects you wish you hadn’t done?
Not that I can think of.
This is interesting. Usually there's one piece of work that you really don't like or was really difficult to create. Ian must be very comfortable with his style and hasn't agreed to do projects that he wouldn't enjoy.

9. Do you mostly illustrate your own ideas or other people’s ideas?
Mostly my ideas.
This would explain why he is happy with the projects he has done as he hasn't had to really illustrate anything but his own ideas. Working as a Freelance Illustrator he doesn't really have to illustrate other peoples ideas.

10. What is your most preferred way to work?
Traditionally I suppose, but I should do more digital work.
Working digitally is becoming more and more popular. It's important to keep up with the times but I also think that working traditionally should not be abandoned. I prefer to work traditionally but to touch up the work digitally so that it's ready for printing. I think if you don't work digitally at all then you're kidding yourself because so many Illustrators are and it can make your work just that bit better.
Good luck!

Ian


My Email:
Dear Owen,

My name’s Lizzy Mason, I am currently in my second year studying Illustration at the University of Gloucestershire.
I have come across your work and I am very interested in your style.
I was wondering if you could take five minutes to answer a few questions about your practice as an established Illustrator.

1. How did you first get started in Illustration?
2. How many projects do you tend to work on at one time?
3. How many days a week do you work?
4. Besides the actual illustrating, what other things do you have to do as a freelance illustrator?
5. What inspires you to do the sort of work you do?
6. Do you work from references or imagination?
7. How did you initially promote your work when you first started as an illustrator?
8. Are there any projects you wish you hadn’t done?
9. Do you mostly illustrate your own ideas or other people’s ideas?
10.  What is your most preferred way to work?

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my email and I hope to hear back from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Lizzy Mason

Owen's Reply:Hi,

hope these answers help,

good luck in your studies.

Regards,

Owen

1. How did you first get started in Illustration?
I studied graphic design in Uni but was put off by the tutors and it derailed me for a number of years. I carried on painting and drawing until a good friend left his job as a visualiser/storyboard artist in an ad agency and he recommended me.
It's interesting that Owen's university tutors had caused him to stray away from Graphic Design and he eventually found Illustration. This proves that is good to carry on drawing and painting even if there's a quiet period so that your skills do not drop and when the occasion does arise where there's a job opening then you're prepared to start straight away.

2. How many projects do you tend to work on at one time?

When i'm actually working I can be working on between 1 and 5 project at one time.
5 projects can be quite a few projects to do at one time. There's a risk that a couple could fall behind as there are a lot of ideas to be generated for that number of projects.

3. How many days a week do you work?

approx 4
I would assume that the number of days a week Owen works depends on the number of projects he's doing at that time. I think I would prefer to work 5 days a week, I think that's a sufficient amount of work time for a week and I would get quite a lot done.

4. Besides the actual illustrating, what other things do you have to do as a freelance illustrator?
Storyboards, concept visualising, marketing visuals, local festival posters
Owen does quite a few different things within the Illustration industry, not just illustrating. This shows how he industry is quite diverse and it can broaden your skills significantly.

5. What inspires you to do the sort of work you do?

People, artists and other illustrators as well as myths, legends, poetry etc.
It's great to see that Owen is influenced by a number of things in his work. This allows for more creative ideas and shows that he has a focus and themes that he enjoys.

6. Do you work from references or imagination?

Both but prefer to work from my imagination and it gives greater scope for creativity
I understand where Owen is coming from with preferring to work from imagination as you can really create something that hasn't been seen before. However, this is quite different to my chosen way to work. It really depends on an Illustrators individual style and their preferred way to work.

7. How did you initially promote your work when you first started as an illustrator?Cold calling. This is still the most effective in getting yourself remembered. people like talking to actual people.
I agree with this. If you call a number of times people will become familiar with your name and will be able to discuss what you do and potential jobs over the phone, creating conversation. In emails or letters, the receiver doesn't have to and more than likely wont reply.

8. Are there any projects you wish you hadn’t done?

Oh yes, but I needed the money
This is the trouble of taking on other peoples ideas to illustrate. They aren't always going to be something that you like doing but the idea of getting paid after it spurs you on to complete the work.

9. Do you mostly illustrate your own ideas or other people’s ideas?

Bit of both but it's usually a collaboration
If someone has come to you with an idea to illustrate, it's because they've seen your work, like it and want their work to be done in the style. So as Owen has said, it's good to collaborate your own ideas with that of the customer, to make it your own and make it something you'll really enjoy doing.

10. What is your most preferred way to work?

Painting with Acrylics and Gouache
It's nice to know that Owen still works with paints. As I've mentioned before it's good to use some digital work but traditional ways should not be forgotten about.


It's interesting finding out how established illustrators work. It isn't far different from how I work or the work I do at university. The only major difference is they're creating work for people or work to be sold, and I'm creating work for my degree. It's good to know that how I'm working at the moment is good preparation for when I've finished Uni and begin working in the real Illustration world.

References:
(1) Cezzar, Juliet.

Bibliography:
Cezzar, Juliet. What is Graphic Design? http://www.aiga.org/guide-whatisgraphicdesign/