Association of illustrators - guest lecture
Todays guest lecture was by Derek Brazell, an illustrator for 25 years and a projects manager who works for the AOL (Association of Illustrators). AOL was formed in 1973 by a group of illustrators keen to share knowledge. A non profit organisation whose membership numbers over 2000 from around the world. Their objective is to help people with their careers, create awareness, encourage ethic standards. Derek gave us tips for illustrating in industry and commissions.
Self promotion - website. Important for self promotion because clients will research your work. Keep it simple, functional and professional. Keep an up to date blog and add contact and social media links. iPhone compatible. For example Sara Gelfregen has a good online presence. Peep show - individual commission as well as group.
Blog - update regularly, keep creative and professional (separate social and art social media’s) don’t be too inspired by trends, use to nurture self initiated projects and ideas. Personal projects can appeal more than commercial portfolio. Twitter and instagram. Instagram is very important within illustration business and most clients have one. Behance is good, sends followers notifications when you upload something new and you could be watched by clients (more corporate than Instagram).
Physical mailers A6/A5. Creative departments have them on pin boards. Post them to selective contacts, stand out but use short text/be brief.
Clients - study the industry and discover where the nieche is. Avoid sir/Madame. AOL do client links online (client directories). An illustrator has to be a book keeper for own work. Register for income tax within 3 months of starting and keep up to date with accounts. Keep all receipts and paperwork.
Copyright - the right to copy. Doesn’t require a registration or symbol (can still be used as a reminder) and lasts 70 years after you die. It protects any work by the creator. Even if it’s a commission it’s still yours, you’re just giving them the license to use it. No copyright in a style or idea. If you copy photographs don’t copy it completely as it’s copyright of the photographer, get various reference from it. Avoid copyright being assigned to the client if they ask as you loose control of the work. The client pays for the use of the image, not possible use.
Rights - right of paternity = the right to be identified as the creator.
Right of integrity = the right of it not to be subjected to deregatory treatment eg cropping. For the design world it’s harder to have these rights. Protect your work online to be identified as the owner. Use copyright symbol on website/blog/social media. Read terms and conditions.
Contracts - need written and or verbal. Accept the commission in writing before you start. They make the agreement binding, gives clarity, shows professionalism and evidence for any disputes. Look out for copyright assignments and termination/cancellation fees.
Self promotion - website. Important for self promotion because clients will research your work. Keep it simple, functional and professional. Keep an up to date blog and add contact and social media links. iPhone compatible. For example Sara Gelfregen has a good online presence. Peep show - individual commission as well as group.
Blog - update regularly, keep creative and professional (separate social and art social media’s) don’t be too inspired by trends, use to nurture self initiated projects and ideas. Personal projects can appeal more than commercial portfolio. Twitter and instagram. Instagram is very important within illustration business and most clients have one. Behance is good, sends followers notifications when you upload something new and you could be watched by clients (more corporate than Instagram).
Physical mailers A6/A5. Creative departments have them on pin boards. Post them to selective contacts, stand out but use short text/be brief.
Clients - study the industry and discover where the nieche is. Avoid sir/Madame. AOL do client links online (client directories). An illustrator has to be a book keeper for own work. Register for income tax within 3 months of starting and keep up to date with accounts. Keep all receipts and paperwork.
Copyright - the right to copy. Doesn’t require a registration or symbol (can still be used as a reminder) and lasts 70 years after you die. It protects any work by the creator. Even if it’s a commission it’s still yours, you’re just giving them the license to use it. No copyright in a style or idea. If you copy photographs don’t copy it completely as it’s copyright of the photographer, get various reference from it. Avoid copyright being assigned to the client if they ask as you loose control of the work. The client pays for the use of the image, not possible use.
Rights - right of paternity = the right to be identified as the creator.
Right of integrity = the right of it not to be subjected to deregatory treatment eg cropping. For the design world it’s harder to have these rights. Protect your work online to be identified as the owner. Use copyright symbol on website/blog/social media. Read terms and conditions.
Contracts - need written and or verbal. Accept the commission in writing before you start. They make the agreement binding, gives clarity, shows professionalism and evidence for any disputes. Look out for copyright assignments and termination/cancellation fees.
