2020
?
GRADUATION
CAREER PLAN RESEARCH
?
?
HARLEY YOUNG
?
INITIAL THOUGHTS BREAKDOWN COMPETITIONS; TO FURTHER BUILD ON MY PORTFOLIO AND CV, INCREASE EXPERIENCE AND PRACTICE MEETING THE EXPECTATIONS OF A BRIEF, BOOST ONLINE AND COMMUNITY PRESENCE AND GAIN OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET CONTACTS AND POSSIBLE EMPLOYERS.
SMALL BUSINESSES/ INDEPENDENT SHOPS ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT: EXPLORE COMMERCIAL ILLUSTRATION FOLLOWING INTEREST AFTER GUEST SPEAKER ROBERT SAE-HENG VISITED UCA IN SECOND YEAR. PERHAPS LOOK AT HAND DRAWN MURALS OR SMALL PRINTS FOR COMMERCIAL ILLUSTRATION ON A MORE DISCREET SCALE TO FIT MY STYLE AND SKILLSET.
FREELANCE
COMPETITIONS
COLLABORATIONS
INITIAL THOUGHTS
SMALL BUSINESSES/INDEPENDENT SHOPS: CONSIDER STARTING MY CAREER SELLING WORK IN SMALL SHOPS OR FAIRS SELLING SIMILAR PRODUCTS THAT I WOULD BE PROUD TO SHARE A SPACE WTIH . CRAFT COOP EXPERIENCE WILL BE HELPFUL TO LOOK AT AND COULD BE USED AS AN EXAMPLE AND POSSIBLE STARTING POINT UNTIL I FIND MY FEET?
FREELANCE: EXPLORE HOW TO SET UP A FREELANCE BUSINESS AND LOOK AT FREELANCE ARTISTS FOR INSPIRATION AND DECIPHER IF IT’S ACHIEVABLE.
COLLABORATIONS: RESEARCH EXISTING COLLABORATIONS AND CONTEMPLATE THE POSSIBILITY TO COLLABORATE WITH FELLOW ILLUSTRATORS AND WRITERS.
FREELANCE ILLUSTRATION WHAT IS IT? Unlike the life of an inhouse artist, where you work with a specific company, freelancers need to manage their time, money, and client base wisely in order to keep things running. They are often their own boss and take on multiple roles (promoter, social media guru, accountant, artist agent, art director, and more) in order to keep things moving throughout their career. (WINKLER, 2015).
WHAT DOES A FREELANCE ILLUSTRATOR DO? EDITORIAL AND BOOK
CHARACTER & CONCEPT DESIGN
ADVERTISEMENT/ PROMOTIONAL
THIS IS THE MOST COMMONLY THOUGHT OF WHEN DISCUSSING ILLUSTRATIVE CAREERS. EDITORIAL MAY BE USED WITHIN MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPERS AND BLOGS. ‘THE NEW YORKER’ BEING A FANTASTIC EXAMPLE OF RENOWNED COMPANIES USING FREELANCE ILLUSTRATORS FOR THEIR BUSINESS. SIMILARLY FOR BOOK ILLUSTRATION, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR, AUTHORS OFTEN COLLABORATE WITH FREELANCERS TO CREATE IMAGES TO SIT ALONGSIDE THEIR STORIES. THIS IS SOMETIMES DONE WITH THE HELP OF GRAPHIC DESIGNERS DEPENDING ON OUTCOME STYLE.
FASHION ILLUSTRATION OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH PROMOTIONAL FREELANCE IS A TOYS, APPAREL, IN REGARDS TO ILLUSTRATION/ NEVER-ENDING ENTERTAINMENT ART, AND DRAWING UP DESIGNS ILLUSTRATION USED IN OPPORTUNITY TO OTHER PRODUCT DESIGN. OF GARMENTS AND ADVERTISEMENT IS EXPLORE YOUR STYLE ILLUSTRATORS USUALLY ACCESSORIES IS SEEN EVERYWHERE; AND BUILD YOUR CREATE INITIAL IDEAS AND NORMALLY SOMETHING LOGOS, RESTAURANT PORTFOLIO. MOST WILL THEN BE THAT YOU WOULD DO AS MENUS, POSTERS, IMPORTANTLY PUT CONTRACTED TO PROVIDE AN IN-HOUSE ARTIST, A RANGE OF CONCEPT OR SHOP WINDOWS. A LOT WORKING FOR A BRAND YOURSELF OUT THERE CHARACTER DESIGNS FOR OF THE TIME THIS ARE AND MAKE CONTACTS. OR BUSINESS ETC. THE CHOSEN COMPANY. DONE USING PRINTING BUT YOU HAVE TO BE HOWEVER FREELANCE VIDEO GAMES SUPPLY A TECHNIQUES OR EXTREMELY ILLUSTRATORS LARGE AMOUNT OF THE GRAPHIC DESIGN, PASSIONATE, DRIVEN TYPICALLY HAVE DEMAND FOR CHARACTER HOWEVER THERE ARE AND DISCIPLINED TO OPPORTUNITIES TO DESIGNERS. ONCE AGAIN MORE TRADITIONAL BE SUCCESSFUL WHEN WORK WITH A DESIGN THIS IS SOMETHING ELEMENTS WITHIN TEAM TO INCORPORATE CONSIDERING THIS AS USUALLY LINKED WITH PROMOTIONAL PATTERNS OR PRINTS TO AS A YOUR FULL TIME GRAPHIC DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION LIKE CAREER. AN EXISTING CONCEPT. WHETHER AN INDIVIDUAL MURALS, HAND DRAWN ALSO RELATED TO IS SKILLED IN BOTH WINDOW DISPLAYS TEXTILE ILLUSTRATION DISCIPLINES OR A THERE IS NARRATIVE AND PROMOTIONAL GRAPHIC DESIGNER THROUGH TEXTILES WORKS ALONGSIDE AN POSTERS USING LITERALLY: SUCH AS ILLUSTRATOR TO BRING PHOTOCOPYING ETC. THEIR CREATIONS TO LIFE. EMBROIDERY.
TEXTILE
AND LOTS MORE…
EDITORIAL
JOSEPHINE RAIS
“Josephine Rais’ illustrations are a colourful take on everyday life.” M. WILLIAMS, CREATIVE REVIEW, 2019.
“I’m particularly driven to use my work to talk about my experiences and beliefs around diversity and feminism…” JOSEPHINE RAIS, CREATIVE REVIEW, 2019.
“I use platforms such as Behance and Instagram to spread my work. At the same time I send my portfolio to agencies, magazines or job requests. It's hard to be unique in a city like Berlin, so you have to be very active in advertising yourself. “JOSEPHINE RAIS, WE ARE F INTERVIEW, 2019
"Drawing has always been a way to express myself. My idea is to share something of me with my audience, even if its just my bad sense of humour. It’s my way to communicate thoughts, feelings and my opinion. “ JOSEPHINE RAIS, 'WE ARE F’ INTERVIEW, 2019. ILLUSTRATIONS IN COOPERATION WITH ADIDAS ORIGINALS
“As a strategic designer, Josephine views design as a process in which internal and external influences are constantly observed, integrated and questioned.” PEOPLE OF PRINT, 2019. “I want to use my voice to fight for more equality and equal rights. Illustrations and images can convey strong messages – my hope is that my work encourages the viewer to change the way they think or even how they act.” JOSEPHINE RAIS, CREATIVE REVIEW, 2019.
“Social Media gives you the opportunity to be seen all over the world, even if you’re are an unknown artist. It’s a great way to share my work with people and to receive immediate feedback.”
JOSEPHINE RAIS, WE ARE F INTERVIEW, 2019.
“Instagram for example is really important to me because it’s my virtual business card. To keep my feed up to date is hard work but I think it gives potential clients a good impression of my skills.” JOSEPHINE RAIS, WE ARE F INTERVIEW, 2019.
ILLUSTRATIONS FOR STYLIST ARTICLE SURROUNDING ISSUES AND PATTERNS WITH WOMEN’S INVESTMENT
“I have seen others produce work within a time period that I find impressive and awe-inspiring; I have always been keenly aware that speed is not one of my fortes. So when Mark Maltais from Rolling Stone asked me to produce 8 illustrations in 2 weeks, from start to finish, the only thought that ran through my mind was ‘Impossible’.”
“…Out of my comfort zone.” “I didn’t want to rule out the assignment entirely, I still felt very ambivalent whether I could actually accomplish it… a more distilled approach than my typically detailed work would be vital in this case. Working backwards from the deadline, I laid out a time sheet that factored in how long I could spend on research, roughs and painting for each portrait. My goal was to have an even level of finish for each piece, so pacing myself was key to keeping my energy and creativity up for the entire duration.” “There are many factors at play when you are under the gun working on a quick deadline.”
COLLECTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS FOR ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE ACCOMPANIED BY QUOTES FROM HEWGILL HERSELF DISCUSSING THE PROJECT, SOURCED FROM HER BLOG ARTICLE “A RECORD BREAKING PROJECT FOR ME” 2016.
JODY HEWGILL
“Know your limitations.”
“The pace for this assignment meant I would also have to loosen my perfectionist expectations, when the allotted time was up on a certain piece, I had to leave it and move on to the next, and tweak details if time allowed on the back end.”
MY EXPERIENCES WITH EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION EXTERNAL BRIEFS UNIT: PHILOSOPHERS MAGAZINE EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE COMPLETED OUR EXTERNAL BRIEFS UNIT. THIS WAS A GOOD INSIGHT INTO EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION AND A COMPLETELY NEW EXPERIENCE FOR ME. BEFORE THIS PROJECT, I HADN’T REALLY LOOKED INTO EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION. IT ALSO WAS A GREAT WAY TO PRACTICE STICKING TO A BRIEF SET OUTSIDE OF UNIVERSITY GUIDELINES, GETTING INTO THE RIGHT MINDSET FOR POST-GRADUATION OPPORTUNITIES. I HAD TO DESIGN 2 FRONT COVER IMAGES, WHICH CAN BE SHOWN IN THE MOCK UP IMAGES I WAS QUITE HAPPY WITH MY MIND AND BODY IMAGE, ALTHOUGH I DID FIND THE PROCESS VERY CHALLENGING. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH MOST TECH AND THE PROGRAMS I KNOW IT IS NECESSARY TO USE TO GET A GOOD FINAL OUTCOME, WITHIN CERTAIN PROJECTS, SUCH AS PHOTOSHOP AND INDESIGN. SO I DEFINITELY NEED TO PRACTICE AND PERHAPS LOOK IN TO TAKING A SHORT COURSE ON SUCH PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO EQUIPT ME FOR A MORE DIVERSE RANGE OF FUTURE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. I ALSO HAD TO PRODUCE A NUMBER OF INTERIOR ILLUSTRATIONS FOR THE ISSUE IN QUESTION. I HAD DESIGNED ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE ARTICLES I ILLUSTRATED ‘CONTINUITY IN MIND’, USING A SNIPPET OF THE TEXT AND MY FINAL IMAGE FOR THIS SECTION OF THE BRIEF ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE.
“RIGHT &WRONG” COVER OUTCOME
“MIND & BODY” COVER OUTCOME
Continuity in Mind Peter Carruthers argues it’s what we do with our minds that makes the difference
Following Gareth Evans in his 1983 book, The Varieties of Reference, many philosophers have endorsed a constraint on what it takes to have concepts and genuine thoughts. (Since concepts are the building blocks of thought, the former are required for the latter.) This is the socalled “Generality Constraint”. The idea is that in order to have concepts at all, you must be capable of thinking the thoughts that result from combining any one of your concepts with any other. If you have the concepts lion, gazelle, and eats, then you must be capable of thinking The gazelle eats the lion as well as The lion eats the gazelle. Roughly, the constraint is one of unlimitedly flexible concept-recombination.
More precisely, the constraint is that concept possession requires capacities for flexible recombination that are constrained only by the “logical form” of the concepts involved. (One cannot think eats lion. A relational concept like eats requires two relata.) While human conceptual capacities satisfy the Generality Constraint, it is said that other animals fall short. In particular, a gazelle might be incapable of thinking of a gazelle eating a lion. So while humans have concepts and think thoughts, nonhuman animals have, at best, proto-concepts and think protothoughts, resulting from their limited powers of conceptual combination.
BOOK
JARVIS
“Straight after University I got a job in designing for music at a small studio in London. It was a dream job but I realised it wasn’t exactly what I enjoyed.” JARVIS, MEDIUM INTERVIEW, 2017. “Visually I am inspired by the stories, for me the way I make a book changes depending on the story. This could mean I use different materials. For a recent book about trees I used lots of ink to get organic natural shapes, for a book about a fish I’m using blow pens and paper for bubbles and coral. I always go back to the work of Miroslav Sasek, Quentin Blake, Eric Carle and Ralph Steadman.” JARVIS, MEDIUM INTERVIEW, 2017. JARVIS IS A FREELANCE BOOK ILLUSTRATOR, TYPICALLY ILLUSTRATING CHILDREN’S BOOKS, OR BOOKS AIMED AT A YOUNGER AUDIENCE. JARVIS WAS ALSO SHORTLISTED IN THE 2017 V&A BOOK ILLUSTRATION AWARDS, WHICH IS A VERY SOUGHT AFTER ACHIEVEMENT WITHIN THIS INDUSTRY. IT’S ENCOURAGING TO DISCOVER SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD SO MUCH RECENT SUCCESS DIDN’T HAVE A CLEAR VISION OF WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO WHEN MOVING ON FROM UNIVERSITY. ALTHOUGH HAVING A PLAN IS AN EXCELLENT WAY TO ENCOURAGE ME AND STAY ON TRACK, THINGS CAN STILL CHANGE AND DEVELOP AS YOU MOVE UP YOUR CAREER TIMELINE. JARVIS ILLUSTRATES BOOKS USING DIFFERENT MEDIUMS AND TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES, BEING THE TECH-PHOBE I AM… ALTHOUGH I DO WISH TO IMPROVE ON THOSE SKILLS FOR MY OWN BENEFIT AND GROWTH, IT IS COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN FIND SUCESS WITH YOUR OWN STYLE OF WORKING, WITH THE RIGHT DRIVE,AMBITION AND TALENT. I WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK TO MY FAVOURITE ARTISTS FOR INSPIRATION, MUCH LIKE JARVIS HAS SPOKEN OF. THIS CAN BE HELPFUL TOO WHEN THINKING OF CAREER PATHS, FINDING OUT WHERE PEOPLE I LOOK UP TO STARTED OUT.
‘ODD BODS’ ILLUSTRATED BY JARVIS, WRITTEN BY STEVEN BUTLER, 2016.
AINO-MAIJA METSOLA
Virginia Woolf series Book cover illustration and lettering, 2016.
MUCH LIKE JARVIS, AINO-MAIJA IS ALSO A VERY DIVERSE AND INSPIRING BOOK ILLUSTRATOR (AMONGST MANY OTHER THINGS, INCLUDING TEXTILE ILLUSTRATION). AS YOU CAN SEE FROM HER INTERPRETATIONAL COVERS OF THE VIRGINIA WOOLF CLASSIC SERIES, HER STYLE ISN’T TYPICAL. I OFTEN FEEL LIKE I SABOTAGE MY OWN SELF BELIEF, BECAUSE MUCH LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, IT’S EASY TO COMPARE YOUR WORK TO OTHERS, ESPECIALLY WORK THAT YOU SEE EVERYDAY. AS MENTIONED BEFORE, I FEEL LIKE SOME ROUTES ARE MAYBE CLOSED FOR ME AS I AM NOT SUPER CONFIDENT IN GRAPHIC DESIGN AND USING ONLINE PROGRAMS TO MAKE IMAGES OR EVEN EDIT THEM. BUT METSOLA IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SOMEONE WHO HAS GREAT SUCCESS USING INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES AND BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS. I LOVE HER STYLE AND THINK IT’S EXTREMELY UNIQUE, WHICH IS DEFINITELY A QUALITY TO STRIVE FOR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE IT IN FREELANCE ILLUSTRATION. YOU HAVE TO STAND OUT! I NEED TO WORK ON FINDING A STYLE THAT IS FLUID AND MARRIES TOGETHER, THAT I FEEL CONFIDENT AND COMFORTABLE WORKING IN. A FREELANCE ILLUSTRATOR’S STYLE ALMOST BECOMES THEIR TRADEMARK. HOWEVER I DO STILL WANT TO BE ABLE TO WORK ON VERY DIFFERING PROJECTS, SO PERHAPS NOT TO BE TOO CAUGHT UP IN EVERYTHING ‘FITTING’ PERFECTLY TOGETHER.
MY BOOK COVER EXPERIENCE PENGUIN DESIGN AWARDS SECOND YEAR THIS WAS MY FIRST TIME DESIGNING A BOOK COVER, AND ALSO MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT DOING EVERYTHING DIGITALLY FOR MY FINAL OUTCOME. CONSIDERING HOW OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE I WAS I WAS QUITE PLEASED WITH IT, HOWEVER I DIDN’T PARTICULARLY ENJOY THE PROJECT BECAUSE IT’S SOMETHING I’M SO UNFAMILIAR WITH AND ALSO THE BOOK WAS A VERY DIFFICULT READ SO I STRUGGLED TO GET INSPIRATION FOR DEVELOPMENT! I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT DESIGNING A COVER WHICH IS SUPER SCARY, I WOULD LIKE TO MAYBE ATTEMPT SOME BOOK ILLUSTRATION IN THE FUTURE BUT PERHAPS ON A MORE DISCRIET SCALE. SMALL ILLUSTRATIONS IN A POETRY BOOK? THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING I COULD GET ON BOARD WITH. I ALSO TRIED OUT MAKING A FONT YPE FOR THIS PROJECT, WHICH WAS ACTUALLY QUITE INTERESTING. THE FINAL DESIGN AND COLOUR SCHEME WAS PICKED TO REFLECT THE SETTING OF THE BOOK. I THINK THAT’S SOMETHING I AM QUITE STRONG AT, PICKING COLOUR SCHEMES FOR PROJECTS AND USING COLOUR TO REFLECT NARRATIVE.
PROMOTIONAL/ ADVERSTISEMENT
ROBERT SAE-HENG -
-
ROBERT VISITED US AT UCA IN SECOND YEAR AND HIS TALK WAS EXTREMELY POSITIVE AND HONEST. HIM BEING A FREELANCER HIMSELF, ADMITTED HOW DIFFICULT IT IS AND THAT YOU ARE LIKELY TO HEAR A LOT OF NOS AND CRITICISM (HOPEFULLY CONSTRUCTIVE) BEFORE GETTING A BIG BREAK. I FOUND ROBERT’S WORK REALLY WHIMSICAL AND EYE CATCHING. IT WAS SO INTERESTING TO KNOW THAT WHEN HE GRADUATED, HE STILL HADN;T REALLY FOUND HIS DRAWING STYLE AND COMPARED SOME OF HIS GRADUATION SHOW WORK TO HIS, THEN, CURRENT WORK AND THE DIFFERENCE IN EXECUTION AND STYLE WAS UNIMAGINABLE. I FIND THIS VERY REASSURING, AND IT’S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND NOT EVERYONE ESTABLISHES THEMSELVES WITHIN THEIR OWN PRACTICE OR THEIR CAREERS AT THE SAME POINT. I THINK PROMOTIONAL/ADVERTISEMENT ILLUSTRATION COULD BE SOMETHING I MAYBE WORK TOWARDS DOING IN THE FUTURE. I’D LIKE TO DO IT A SMALLER SCALE, MUCH LIKE ROBERT. THINGS LIKE THIS FEMINIST PROTEST POSTER AND HIS WORK FOR TAQADO MEXICAN KITCHEN IS SOMETHING I DON’T FEEL TOO INTIMIDATED BY. WHEN I FIRST THINK OF THIS KIND OF FIELD, I THINK OF BIG LOGOS AND ADVERTISEMENT BILLBOARDS ETC, WHICH I CANNOT SEE MYSELF ACHIEVING OR BEING TOO INTERESTED IN. I DON’T THINK MY SKILLS WOULD CURRENTLY STAND UP TO SOMETHING THAT INTENSE. HOWEVER, WITH MORE PRACTICE AND AN INTERESTING, PROVOCATIVE CONCEPT, I CAN IMAGINE DOING WORK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OR CAUSES THAT I CAN REALLY GET PASSIONATE ABOUT.
“I have been fortunate to have travelled a lot alone since my early teens, and experienced so many things. I truly believe traveling broadens the mind. On my travels I filled up sketchbooks with location drawings, thoughts at the time and documented stories from other people I’ve met along the way. Something like a diary.” “If you ever have an urge in life to do something, you owe it to yourself to fulfil it." Since graduating from UCA BA Illustration nine years ago, I’ve always wanted to create a kids book but never got round to developing it further than the story board drafts due to commercial jobs, smaller projects, traveling and life getting in the way. I would like to return to that personal goal again and fulfil it. Besides that I have started doing prints of my work and producing products to sell. I think it’s important to be able to engage with your audience and build a strong brand. ROBERT SAE-HENG, ASSOCIATION OF ILLUSTRATORS INTERVIEW.
IS FREELANCE REALISTIC? PROS FLEXIBILITY, CAN MAKE TIME FOR OTHER THINGS LIKE IMPROVING COMPUTER AND PROGRAM SKILLS DIVERSITY
CONS MY TIME MANAGEMENT NEEDS SOME SERIOUS WORK! MAY STRUGGLE WITH PROJECT TURN AROUNDS, ESPECIALLY IF WORKING IN A RELAXED ENVIRONMENT MUCH LIKE JODY HEWGILL, I TEND TO PAY TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND GET HUNG UP ON DOING QUICK SKETCHES
BUILD PORTFOLIO AND EXPERIENCE
ONLINE PRESENCE!!! I HAVE TO GET BETTER AT PUTTING MY WORK OUT THRERE AND GET TO WORK WITH LOTS OF DIFFERENT MAKING SURE MY SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS ARE SUPPORTING MY WORK PEOPLE AND MAKE CONTACTS AND UP TO DATE (THIS UNIT HAS HELPED WITH THAT AND HAVING A PDF PORTFOLIO CHERRY PICK BRIEFS/PROJECTS YOU ARE WILL DEFINITELY BE BENEFICIAL) INTERESTED IN LIKELY TO BE A SLOW BURNER, AND FUNDS MAY BE AN ISSUE IF YOU STRUGGLE TO THERE ISN’T ANY PIGEON-HOLING I CAN FIND WORK- PERHAPS PART TIME JOB AS WORK WITH LOTS OF DIFFERENT WELL AS FREELANCE COULD BE A POSSIBILITY DISCIPLINES THAT IM INTERESTED IN… DOESN’T HAVE TO BE PURELY ONE TYPE
IN AN AGENCY OR SALARY PAYING JOB YOU OF ILLUSTRATION OR PROJECT (CAN PUT ARE GUARANTEED INCOME AND WORK, WHEREAS THERE MAY BE DIFFICULTY MY OTHER INTERESTS AND WORK OUT FINDING THINGS TO INSPIRE AND KEEP THERE, CRAFT, TEXTILES, COLLAGE ETC) YOUR CREATIVE HUNGER SATISFIED
M. WINKLER (2015) TUTSPLUS.COM
BEFORE RESEARCHING INTO FREELANCE AND IT’S POSSIBILITIES FURTHER, I ALREADY KNEW IT WAS SOMETHING I WAS INTERESTED IN. BEING QUITE THE INTROVERT AND NOT BEING AS CONFIDENT IN MY PRACTICE AS I COULD BE JUST YET, I THINK IT IS A GOOD OPTION TO BE ABLE TO PICK OUT BRIEFS THAT WOULD FLATTER MY STYLE OF WORK AND COMPLIMENT MY SKILLS. HOWEVER I DO THINK IT WOULD BE UNREALISTIC TO TRY AND GO STRAIGHT FROM GRADUATING TO FULL TIME FREELANCER. I WANT TO LOOK INTO COMPANIES THAT TAKE ON OR WORK WITH FREELANCERS AND SEE IF THATS A STARTING POINT, TO HELP BUILD CONFIDENCE AND FILL OUT MY PORTFOLIO WITH SET BRIEFS. AS MENTIONED MANY TIMES I DESPERATELY NEED TO WORK ON MY TIME KEEPING AND NOT BE TOO NITPICKY WITH MY INITIAL IDEAS.
FAMILY STORE
WHAT IS FAMILY STORE? “The guys at the store have managed to compile the greatest collection of records, publications, tees, pins and patches as well as some kickass graphic posters. It’s literally an illustrators / graphic designers dream.” EMILY JANE PALIN, 2016. FAMILY STORE IS EXACTLY THAT! AN INDEPENDENT STORE BASED IN BRIGHTON’S NORTH LAINES, WHICH OPENED BACK IN FEBRUARY 2016. ALONGSIDE FINDING AND SUPPORTING INDEPENDENT ARTISTS AND GOODS, THEY OFTEN COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL AND WORLDWIDE ILLUSTRATIONS TO BRING EXCITING NEW PRODUCTS. THIS HAS BEEN ON MY RADAR EVER SINCE I FIRST VISITED BACK IN 2016. EVERY TIME I GO TO BRIGHTON I MAKE SURE TO HAVE A LOOK IN FAMILY STORE AND VERY RARELY I LEAVE WITHOUT PURCHASING ANYTHING. FOR A WHILE I WAS WONDERING HOW YOU MIGHT GET YOUR WORK IN THE SHOP, AND I FOUND THE WEBSITE QUITE TRICKY TO TRACK DOWN… BUT IT TURNS OUT YOU CAN SUBMIT WORK ONLINE TO BE CONSIDERED. I THINK THIS WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ONCE I HAVE FINISHED MY FMP, I AM ON MY WAY TO COMPLETING A ZINE, WHICH IN ITSELF IS ASTONISHING AS I USE TO DISLIKE ZINE PROJECTS ENORMOUSLY. BUT NOW IM FOCUSING ON A SUBJECT I HAVE CHOSEN AND AM PASSIONATE ABOUT, IT’S FANTASTIC AND AFTETR MANY VISITS AND COMPARING THE PRODUCTS THEY GO FOR, I FEEL LIKE THIS IS AN ACHIEVABLE GOAL TO SET MYSELF TO ACHIEVE IN THE NEXT YEAR (ONCE WE HAVE GRADUATED). I WOULD LOVE TO SUBMIT MY FMP OUTCOME TO FAMILY STORE AND HAVE BEEN CONTEMPLATING RELOCATING TO BRIGHTON FOR A FEW YEARS NOW BECAUSE THERE IS SUCH A GREAT ART AND ILLUSTRATION SCENE THERE. I FEEL AT HOMEIN BRIGHTON. FAMILY STORE IS RELEVANT IN THIS SENTIMENT AS IT FEELS LIKE SUCH A COMMUNITY, I LIKE THAT THE LABELS ARE HAND WRITTEN AND IT DOESN’T SEEM PORTENTOUS IN ANY WAY EVEN THOUGH THE STANDARD OF WORK IN THERE IS REMARKABLE.
SENSE OF COMMUNITY, NON THREATENING FIRST STEP INTO PUTTING MY WORK OUT THERE?
LOCATED IN BRIGHTON, SOMEWHERE I AM WANTING TO RELOCATE TO AT SOME POINT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I FEEL LIKE ITS A GREAT PLACE FOR AN ILLUSTRATOR TO FIND INSPIRATION AND SOCIALISE AND WORK WITH LIKEMINDED PEOPLE.
THEY WANT TO GIVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY TO MANY DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES, COULD ALLOW ME TO SHOW A DIVERSE DISPLAY OF MY SKILLS AND INTERESTS.
EXAMPLES OF WORK THAT PEOPLE ARE SELLING IN FAMILY STORE SIMILAR TO WHAT I MAY PRODUCE
THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE SO MANY ZINES AND PRICES ARE SHOWN, WILL BE HELPFUL FOR ME IF I DO WANT TO START SELLING MY OWN WORK AS I CURRENTLY WOULDN'T KNOW WHERE TO START WITH PRICING THINGS CORRECTLY - NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS MORE.
ZINES!!! SOMETHING I AM CURRENTLY WORKING ON AND HAVE DISCOVERED A REAL THIRST TO CREATE MORE. ALSO THE SUBJECT MATTER IS SWEET AND QUIRKY BUT NOT ANYTHING TOO SERIOUS, WHICH IS THE KIND OF THING I AM DOING FOR MY FMP AND WOULD MOST LIKELY CONTINUE TO MAKE IN MY PERSONAL ILLUSTRATION/FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
THE ARTISTS’ NAME IS STATED CLEARLY (TWICE!!) WHICH SHOWS A REAL SENSE OF INTEGRITY.
I THINK THIS COULD BE A REWARDING FIRST STEP IN MY ILLUSTRATION CAREER AFTER GRADUATION. I WILL FINISH MY FMP OUTCOME TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD POSSIBLE AND SUBMIT IT TO FAMILY STORE FOR CONSIDERATION. I THINK THIS WOULD BE A GREAT STEPPING STONE AND IF IT BECOMES A SUCCESS I WILL GAIN CONFIDENCE IN MY WORK AND POSSIBLY BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER ARTISTS IN STORE AND MAKE SOME USEFUL CONNECTIONS.
CRAFT COOP MY FIRST EXPERIENCE SELLING MY WORK IN A SHOP! DURING THE CHRISTMAS BREAK A NEW SHOP OPENED IN MY HOMETOWN, APPTLY NAMED CRAFT COOP. IT IS A STORE THAT ALLOWS INDEPENDENT LOCAL ARTISTS AND CRAFTSPEOPLE TO RENT A SPACE AND SELL THEIR WORK. THIS GAVE ME THE CHANCE TO PUT ONE OF MY OTHER CREATIVE LOVES ON DISPLAY, SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FROM ILLUSTRATION, I ENJOY CRAFTING DECORATIONS FOR THE HOME- PARTICULARLY LOUD, QUIRKY WREATHS AROUND THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD! I DO FEEL LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GOES HAND IN HAND WITH ILLUSTRATION, MUCH LIKE MOST OF THE ARTS- I FIND INSPIRATION AND PARALLELS IN BOTH PRACTICES. THE COMPANY IS A SMALL BRANCH OF STORES, WHO RENT OUT SPACE AND TAKE A SMALL SUM (10%) OF EACH OF THE CREATORS PROFITS. I FOUND THIS EXPERIENCE SUPER INSIGHTFUL (AND STRESSFUl). I DEFINITELY DIDN’T HAVE SUFFICIENT SPARE TIME TO MAKE ENOUGH TO STAY FOR LONG, DUE TO THE PRICE OF RENTING A SPACE. SO UNFORTUNATELY HAD TO LEAVE WHEN UNIVERSITY RESUMED. HOWEVER, IT WAS QUITE A SUCCESS! I WAS CERTAINLY LUCKY AS I WAS THERE OVER THE FESTIVE PERIOD SO PEOPLE WERE MORE WILLING TO SPEND, BUT I MANAGED TO SELL ALL MY PRODUCTS, HENCE WHY I HAD TO THROW IN THE TOWEL. ALTHOUGH AN EXTREMELY DIFFERENT PROCESS, I THINK MY CRAFT WORK AND ILLUSTRATION CAN MARRY UP, AS THE PLANNING AND WAY OF THINKING ARE VERY SIMILAR. I OFTEN DRAW UP OR TEST COLOUR PALETTES BEFORE COMMITTING TO THE HOT GLUE GUN! SINCE EXPLORING CAREER POSSIBILITIES, MAKING SURE TO BE REALISTIC, I THINK RETURNING TO THE CRAFT COOP COULD BE A FEASIBLE OPTION WHILST I’M BUILDING MY PORTFOLIO AND APPLYING FOR SMALL OPPORTUNITIES (SUCH AS FAMILY STORE OR COMPETITIONS) AND IMPROVING MY SKILLS. THIS WILL GIVE ME MORE EXPERIENCE SELLING MY ART AND I CAN TEST OUT MY ILLUSTRATIONS ALONGSIDE MY OTHER CREATIVE OUTCOMES TO SEE WHAT IS POPULAR AND WHAT ISN’T. IT WAS A GREAT CONFIDENCE BOOST TO HAVE THE DIRECTOR OF THE STORE (DEBORAH JONES) ASK TO BUY ONF OF MY PIECES TO PUT IN THE WINDOW DISPLAY!
CRAFT COOP CREATIONS
DREAME WWW.DREAME.ME
MAKE CONTACTS!
NEW OUTLOOK ON ‘BRIEFS’ AND A GREAT WAY TO COLLABORATE ON A MORE RELAXED LEVEL. BABY STEPS?
IDEAS OPEN TO A LOSER INTERPRETATION RATHER THAN A STRICT BRIEF. CREATIVE FREEDOM!
EXCELLENCE IN GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION GAMES UI EXPERIENCE AND LOGO CREATION MUST HAVE 3+ YEARS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
BE FLUENT WITH DIGITAL MEDIA
THINGS I’VE FOUND WHEN SEARCHING FOR ILLUSTRATION JOBS THAT I AM LACKING/DON’T APPLY TO ME
FANTASTIC TIME MANAGEMENT
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
DIGITAL PAINTING
MUST POSSESS TECHNICAL SKILLS IN; ADOBE CREATIVE CLOUD, PHOTOSHOP, ILLUSTRATOR AND FLASH
EXTENSIVE (EXPERIENCED ) PORTFOLIO
2D SKILLS ABILITY TO FOLLOW AND REALISE A BRIEF EYE FOR DETAIL HAVE A VERY CREATIVE AND IMAGINATIVE MINDSET WILLINGNESS TO LEARN NEW SKILL PROVIDE A BROAD RANGE OF STYLE
SKILLS OR ASPECTS OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS I’VE SEEN THAT I WOULD CONSIDER TO HAVE PORTFOLIO (WORK IN PROGRESS
QUALIFICATION(S) IN RELATED FIELD
KNOWLEDGE OF TRADITIONAL ART TECHNIQUES
PASSIONATE ABLE TO PRIOROTISE TASKS
EYE FOR COMPOSITION AND COLOUR CAN PROVIDE EXAMPLES OF SELF INITIATED PROJECTS
JOB SEARCHES A FEW EXAMPLES
I WOULD IDEALLY LOVE TO DO AN INTERNSHIP TO BUILD MY SKILLS UP AND GAIN EXPERIENCE WHILST LEARNING, BUT IT ISN’T FEASIBLE FOR ME TO STILL BE ABLE TO PAY BILLS AND LIVE.
‘NEW GRADUATES’ SEARCHES ARE OFTEN COMING UP WITH UNPAID INTERNSHIPS OR COMPETITIONS
-
-
-
SPECIFYING THE SEARCH TRIED SEARCHING ‘HAND DRAWN’ ILLUSTRATION TO SEE IF I WOULD HAVE ANY LUCK AND SEARCH ENGINES LIKE PEOPLE PER HOUR COME UP. THESE SITES ARE ESSENTIALLY FOR FREELANCERS TO ACCESS BRIEFS SET BY OTHER ACCOUNTS AND PROPOSE THEIR IDEAS. THE PRICE AND EXPECTATIONS ARE LISTED ON EACH BRIEF, I WOULD MOST CERTAINLY TRY SOMETHING LIKE THIS ONCE AGAIN PERHAPS A GOOD PLACE TO COMMUNICATE WITH LIKEMINDED PEOPLE AND MAKE CONTACTS AND PRODUCE COLLABORATIONS.
BRIGHTON ILLUSTRATORS GROUP (BIG) ANNOTATED PDF.
COMPETITIONS 2020 COMPETITIONS ARE A GREAT WAY FOR ANY ARTISTS, BUT PARTICULARLY POST GRADS, TO KEEP UP THE PRACTICE OF WORKING TO BRIEFS AND WORKING ON SOMETHING YOU ARE INTERESTED IN OR PASSIONATE ABOUT AS YOU PICK WHICH COMPETITIONS TO ENTER, AND THEY ARE ALSO A GREAT WAY TO BUILD UP YOU PORTFOLIO AND ACHIEVEMENTS.
-
-FREE ENTRY -PARTICIPANTS ARE ASKED TO SUBMIT A PICTURE BOOK WITH NO MORE THAN 40 PAGES
-
-NO THEME! -DEADLINE 3OTH MAY 2020 -WINNER GETS PUBLISHED AND 9000 EUROS
-
-FREE ENTRY -PARTICIPANTS ARE PERMITTED TO MAKE UP TO 3 POSTERS PROMOTING ZERO WASTE AND RELATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL THEMES -DEADLINE 1ST MAY 2020 -WINNER RECEIVES $1600
-
-
-FREE ENTRY -PARTICIPANTS ARE TO DESIGN A POSTER EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP OF NATURE AND THE LIVING -DEADLINE 1ST MAY 2020 15TH JULY 2020 -WINNER RECEIVES $2500