Copy Cat, Dirty Rat!
When writing these blogs, I have always tried to be positive, but when I woke up this morning, I just could not hold back.
I am really getting sick and tired of all the copying that’s been going on in this industry! After close to 20 years working in this field I have seen my share of copying and its really starting to bug me so I felt compelled to write about it.
The initial reaction is always ” don’t be offended, it’s a great compliment” but is it? NO its not!
I truly think that I have seen more knock offs in this industry then I’ve seen on Canal Street in New York and its really got to stop.
The internet has made it so easy for everyone to just copy what they see or what they like. They also think that if they are in another country, no one will notice. Well that’s not the case, we always end up finding out.
Once there was this well know fine artist, somewhere in Europe, that was incorporating exact copies of one of my illustrators works onto his canvases and claiming that they were his original work. It was almost like an exact copy and so obvious. The illustrator ended up finding out and was of course livid. The matter was later handed over to lawyers to follow up.
There was also this one time that we found several ” knock offs” of a few of our illustrators on a stock website that was selling the work. The ” illustrator” in questions was going by some pseudo name and it was impossible to track him/her down. They claimed that the work they supplied to the stock house was their own but was indeed stolen from a few of our illustrators right from our website. I personally contacted the stock house at the time and told them the illustrations were stolen and they agreed to remove all the illustrations from their site.
There are also all the people who call themselves illustrators that source the web for great work and just plain copy it. If they only had a conscience and knew that copying a successful illustrator style is such a low thing to do and really looked down upon.
So for good reason that all this copying is really strating to get to me. There are many more examples that I could give but I think you get my point in regards to illustration.
For the longest time I have been fighting for all the artists that I have represented over the years but now its my turn to be pissed!
This week in the local news, a local Illustration agency launched their new website which is the exact carbone copy our AGM website. Its unbelievable but very true. In fact if i didn’t know better I would think it was my site without my logo and theirs instead. I don’t want to mention who they are because I don’t want to give them any more publicity but they sure know who they are and so will every other person that goes on their site. The layout is exactly the same as it the way you navigate. Everything about the look and functionality of their site is exactly like ours at http://www.agoodson.com which has been up and running for well over a year now.
They promote their site as New but they should have just claimed it was a complete copy of AGM’s website. I wish I could give you the link but would prefer not to give them any free publicity.
If I sound pissed, I am and rightfully so. If an agency wants to redesign their website then they should at least have the morals and decency not to copy an existing website, especially one in the exact same field. A compliment you say?
This agency intentionally copied AGM’s site down to the last detail.
Do they really think that if their site looks exactly like AGM ’s and they go out and represent artists that look exactly like AGM’s that they will become as successful and respected as AGM?
If that’s the case and they truly want to be ” Just like AGM”, then this is the biggest compliment and most flattering thing that has ever happened to Anna Goodson Management.
Unfortunately for them however, we have been in the process now for months, working on a totally NEW redesign of our website that will be launched in the beginning of Jan 2010. Just wait and see, its going to be amazing!
So let the COPY CATS, DIRTY RATS keep on copying!
We at AGM and all of our talented ORIGINAL ARTISTS will be busy being progressive and laying the way for others to follow or should I say copy.
OUPS! typo.
Filed under: 1, Advertising, Art, Children's Book Illustrators, Designers, Fashion illustration, Flash illustration, How to, Illustration, Illustration Agent, Illustration Rep, Illustrators, International Illustration, The Business of Illustration, design | 8 Comments
Wouldn’t it be great if there was one easy answer to this question?
I have read so many different answers out there that it can be all a bit confussing.
Here is my two cents worth.
First, I think to become a successful illustrator you have to first of all have talent. To be totally honest, I receive lots and lots of emails from people who want to be illustrators and I can tell right off the back that their work is not good enough. That might sound a bit brutal but its true. No one wants to hurt anyone’s feelings but if you don’t have that initial talent then for sure you wont make it as an illustrator.
Providing that you do have the talent then the work can begin.
My suggestion is to take the time to perfect your style and don’t be in a hurry to put a portfolio or website together. Even illustrators with talent tend to some times put less then their very best work up to show. I only like to see the best work, even if that means having a few less images to show.
Once you are confident with your style and feel that you have a real signature to your work then its time to promote.
I believe that promotion is one of the main keys to being successful. The way you market your work is crucial. Even if you are hoping to land a successful rep or agent, you first have market your work to them. Like I said earlier, I literally get hundreds of illustrators contacting me from around the world and most of the time I am not impressed. But when I am, boy do I react quickly.
The reason I say that I am not impressed is that today in our field it is really a buyers market. There are hundred if not thousands of illustrators from around the world competing for work. You have to really stand out and shine if you want to be noticed in today’s market and get work. Clients at the click of their key board can hire the best of the best from around the world. And trust me there is a lot of talent out there.
So how to get noticed? Well stay fresh, stay current and update as often as you can. You would be surprised at all the sites that I see that never update with new work. I have even heard of Rep websites that only update twice a year. I could hardly believe that when I heard. At AGM we update almost daily. In today’s market you can afford to be stale.
There are also all of the social networks that I feel are a big part of promoting your work. Its so easy and quick and a great way to spread the word. Personal blogs are also a great idea to tell people what’s been going on. Even if you are not busy, you need to look busy and be busy. Everyone wants to work with a winner and no one wants to work with a loser. Its just part of the game.
I also like to receive newsletters but not too often. Or a simple email showing me new work.
I also still believe in printed promos if they are done well produced. Post cards don’t seem to have the same effect they once did. Printed promos are a great way to get creative and showcase your work.
You can also produce a small quantity with your printer and send them only to important prospects.
We at AGM invest many thousands of dollars in our printed promos and I can assure you that that has added to our success.
My view on source books has not changed in the 14 years I have been in business. I think they are too expensive for what they are worth. Also, personally I never look at books any more and would much rather take a few minutes and source the net.
Last and not least, I think that competitions are a really great way to get some great free promotion. I suggest that you enter as many contests as you can. Like I said earlier, everyone wants to work with a winner and if your work were to be selected in any of the annuals that come out that would be a really great and valuable promotion for you.
So here are just a few of my personal opinions about becoming a successful illustrator. You can take it or leave it its totally up to you.
Best of luck! Its a great career if you can make it!
Filed under: 1 | 28 Comments
Illustration Today
I know for a fact that the business of illustration today is nothing like it was 14 years ago when we first started out.
There have been so many changes that its difficult to keep up.
This in most part due to the internet among other things.
I have been reading quite a bit of bad press lately regarding our industry and that’s really unfortunate.
For me personally, the web has brought nothing but great opportunities.
I don’t believe for a minute that Illustration is a dying industry and that illustrators will soon be forgotten.
The internet and its possibilities are endless and so are the possibilities for illustrators.
What everyone just needs to do is relax and adapt.
Yes, adapt to the new media that is moving at the speed of light.
Illustrators need to learn flash and motion and be able to do animations of their work.
Its kind of like a few years back when illustrators had to learn photoshop or how to scan their images, its just par for the course.
I have been in the industry of communications for a few years now and I have witnessed first hand so many changes.
I remember walking through my fathers printing plant and seeing his type setter choose led letters one by one by hand. He would then put the small letters together to form a word and then screw them into some kind of block holder. Then when that became obsolete I saw my father buy type from a man who did letterset on a machine. The pages of type would roll out and then be rolled with waxed and cute and pasted into space, line by line. Then of course the MAC came along and the rest is history.
I also remember the first time my father bought a fax machine. It was so incredible that the did a big direct mail promotion advertising that he had one, a fax, can you believe that? Well back in the 80’s that was a really big deal to be able to send copy through the phone line and have it come out the other end.
Of course today we look back at that and laugh.
I mean with the internet we can communicate with so many people instantly all over the world. We can send photos, video’s up to the second news.
So what does all this have to do with illustration you make be asking yourselves? Well it has to do a lot with illustration because illustrations are illustrations weather they are on paper on or on line. Weather they are 2D or 3D or moving. Someone has to draw them and that someone is YOU!
Illustrators in my opinion have a long and healthy life ahead of them as long as they adapt to today’s industry. Illustration today is not that much different then it was years ago, what is changing is the media for which we will see them displayed.
Filed under: 1, Advertising, Art, Children's Book Illustrators, Designers, Flash illustration, How to, Illustration, Illustration Agent, Illustration Rep, Illustrators, International Illustration, The Business of Illustration, design | 3 Comments
“Condé Nast Publications is closing Gourmet and four of its other speciality magazines in an attempt to weather the economic downturn.
Modern Bride, Elegant Bride and Cookie, a parenting magazine established in 2005, are also to close.”
I know I am not the only one sad to see these magazines close. There are many loyal readers who look forward to receiving their issues in the mail or picking them up at their local magazine stands. My reasons are personal and professional. Yes, I used to read the magazines but also many of AGM’s illustrators use to illustrate for them. They were good clients who we enjoyed working with over the years.
I think that before we collectively freak out over yet another magazine closing, we need to look at the big picture. First, there are thousands of magazines out there and it is only normal that in these tough economic times some will have close. Magazines close all the time, its just that we get more edgy when its such a high profile magazine like Gourmet.
The restaurant industry for one has been very badly hit since the beginning of this recession. I have heard that some of the top restaurants across the country were having troubling filling their seats. These are restaurants that in the past you could not get in had you not reserved months in advance. The food industry as well has had some big set backs and luxury produces have taken a great decline. I heard that last year for the 4th of July, the usual Steak feasts were replace by hot dogs and hamburgers. Therefore it is not all that surprising that Gourmet which is such a “high brow” cooking magazine has gone under.
That said, I do expect other magazines to follow in the ways of Gourmet but I also expect new magazines to pop up as well. The magazine industry is not dead, far from it.
I also don’t plan to bring my laptop any time soon into the bath with me.
That time is special and reserved for me to read all of my favorite magazines and there are way too many to name for me to name.
Filed under: 1, Advertising, Art, Children's Book Illustrators, Designers, How to, Illustration, Illustration Agent, Illustration Rep, Illustrators, International Illustration, The Business of Illustration, design | 1 Comment
The AGM Pumpkin Competition is now officially on!
All of the pumpkins carved and showcased in the 2008 archives were created by the members of and illustrators represented by AGM.
This year just for fun, we’re opening it up to the general public!
Halloween is a great time of year to have fun and get creative! So get busy and create your pumpkin and upload it to the Flickr or Facebook Group! Please come back often to cast your votes on the pumpkin site, new pumpkins will be added daily and don’t forget to tell all your fiends!
Get your vote on! – agoodson.com/pumpkin
Facebook Group – facebook.com/group.php?gid=137395738070
Flickr Group – flickr.com/groups/agm-pumpkin-2009/
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I know I am not the first to preach this but if we are to keep the dream of commissioned illustrations alive we need to keep the faith.
The more we talk about it, the better.
Illustrators have to refused to sell their work to large stock and royalty free companies.
Under no condition should you sell your work to these companies.
Yes, you might make a few bucks but you will in the end, kill the industry.
I strongly believe that commissioned work will come back if we all stick together and support the cause.
Please join me in the fight against stock and royalty free images!
Thanks
Anna Goodson
Become a fan on Facebook and show your support!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anna-Goodson-Management/92299040955?ref=nf
Filed under: 1 | 1 Comment
I don’t know about you but I have been feeling pretty lonely lately.
I guess is just lack of human contact that’s making me feel this way.
Over the past several months, ok maybe more like the past few years my most intimate relationship has been with… .well my laptop, my Mac.
She and I have lately developed a bit of an obsessive relationship, almost co dependent if you really want to know.
Mac and I are practically inseparable. Our relationship has been going on now for over 14 years but it has never been quite as strong as it’s been lately.
We have so much in common, Facebook, Twitter, Entourage, Firefox, Safari, Gmail, Skype, my blog and so on.
It’s becoming a little too intense and I am beginning to feel like I cant live without her. She is one of the last things I turn to before I go to sleep at night and the first one I gravitate to when I wake up in the morning. I don’t have a dog but I have Mac.
I don’t know about the rest of you but working night and day and day and night in front of a computer has its down sides and can really get quite lonely.
I know I am not alone to have this kind of “lifestyle.” I am sure many of you do as well, whether you admit to it or not. Some of you may just say that its not your choice that things just worked out that way. Some of you can even claim you were born that way or it was society or your environment that made you this way.
So many of us today spend hours at a time in front of our computers that our lives almost become a virtual existence.
In my field, representing international illustrators my work revolves around my Mac. I meet clients on line and discuss with them via email, Skype or Facebook.
I can’t remember the last time I shook a clients hand. Even if I wanted to go and meet people face to face they would question it or wonder why I don’t just send an email or a link to our website.
On the personal note, I barely use the phone anymore either. I mean my own mother who is, lets just say in her 70’s for argument sake, knows exactly what I am up to because she follows me on Twitter or sees my posts on Facebook.
My other friends just send a quick email or a poke to say hello.
I never imagined in a million years that my relationship with Mac would turn out this way. When we first met 14 years ago, she was but a 150 meg black and white little laptop that would help me out now and again with various chores. And before her my only computer knowledge was how to use my bankcard.
Boy, have things changed!
I have recently realized that if I wanted to, I could sit with Mac all day or until I went to bed. But no, I refuse to have her run my life as close as we have become, there is more to life than our symbiotic relationship.
We all need to just get out of our houses, offices and studios a little more and see what’s out there. We need to have more human contact or we are going to go nuts. We also need to build meaningful relationships and friendships and not just the ones on FB.
Like elephants, we need to be around other members of our species and not just virtually.
Now that I have my BlackBerry Bold, there are no more excuses!
See you Mac, I am out of here!
Filed under: Advertising, Art, Children's Book Illustrators, Designers, How to, Illustration, Illustration Agent, Illustration Rep, Illustrators, International Illustration, The Business of Illustration, design | 14 Comments
What an honor! Michel Rabagliati, who’s is now a very established cartoonist has recently launched his 6th book called Paul A Quebec. In this book Michel decided to immortalized “me” as one of his characters, Brenda Steinberg.
Brenda, a fun out going, quick talking agent with her hair blowing in the wind as she talks on her cell phone in the car, securing contracts for “Paul Baby” on the way.
This series of comic books have been documenting the life of Paul (actually Michel from his early and humble beginnings growing up in Montreal). Each book deals with a different aspects of Paul’s life and experiences and I was lucky enough to have worked with him when he was at his peak of his illustration career.
Michel is a Canadian cartoonist born and based in Montreal. He is published by Drawn and Quarterly in English, and La Pastèque in French. Michel has written and illustrated several semi-autobiographical comic books each furthering the life story of his protagonist Paul. The series includes Paul in the Country, Paul Has a Summer Job, Paul Moves Out, and Paul Goes Fishing. In addition; Rabagliati has published shorter stories featuring Paul including “Paul in the Metro.” Michel started drawing comics in his 40’s, after working as a graphic designer and illustrator for many years. It was then that we met or should I say when I went after him.
I had the pleasure of representing Michel Rabagliati as he was slowing moving up the comic ladder. He eventually decided to stop illustrating all together and concentrate on his comic books. As sad as I was to see him go, I knew that he made the right decision. There is nothing more important in life than to follow your dreams and that is exactly what I told him. At the same time, Michel was doing really well with his illustration career and we were keeping him busier then I think he expected or wanted to be for that matter. All I can say is, that I was really thrilled to see that Michel thought highly enough of me and our relationship to portray me in his book.
Although I was really sad to see Michel leave Anna Goodson Management several years ago I never doubted for a minute that he would not succeed. I guess I always knew that he would triumph because drawing his comics is what made him happy. And when you are happy at what you do, you always come out on top.
To learn more about Michel Rabagliati and his comic books about Paul, Go to drawnandquarterly.com
Filed under: Art, Designers, Illustration, Illustration Agent, Illustration Rep, Illustrators, International Illustration | 1 Comment
Tags: advice, agency, agents, agm, Anna Goodson, Art, Comics, Drawn and Quarterly, Illustration, Illustrators, inspiration, Michel Rabagliati, Pastèque
Yes, times are tough and the business of illustration is no exception. Rather than crawl under a rock and give up, I have decided to work that much harder and stay that much more positive. As an agent, its kind of my responsibility or at least it is my philosophy.
So here at AGM, we have rolled up our sleeves and are treating this “Recession” as just another big challenge and god knows, I love challenges. I know that so many people are affected out there and often illustrators are at the bottom of the food chain when it comes to work. Rather than complain about no jobs coming in or worrying about it, why not take control over the things you can take control of.
Obama, has promised to do something about the recession so all we need to do is take care of what we have control over.
For me, I am sending out way more emails, updating my website regularly and surfing the net to find new ways to market my gang. I have recently produced a beautiful new promo that will be shipped out to clients this week. I am going after other markets and generating interested in the illustrators of AGM as never before. Basically I am doing all that I can and not worrying about what is out of my control. There is so much that I can do that I barely have time to write this blog. That said, maybe this is a great time for you to update your site, perfect your style, take a class or join Facebook. Its also probably a good time to realize that times are changing and that maybe you should have other backup plans for when times are slow. I know many illustrators that teach, work as designers, paint.
All this to say that now is probably a great time to get busy, that is if you have the time.
Filed under: Advertising, Art, Illustration, Illustration Agent, Illustration Rep, Illustrators, International Illustration, The Business of Illustration | 4 Comments
Tags: advice, agents, agm, Anna Goodson, Art, Business, Facebook, Illustration, Illustrators, promotion
New 2009 AGM Website!
Forever keeping ahead of the current trend! We have launched a new website for 2009!
Click here to visit our new site.. Or click here to have our RSS feed emailed to your inbox! We also have a new look newsletter, which you can check out here or subscribe to it for free here.
Filed under: Art, Illustration, Illustrators, The Business of Illustration | Leave a Comment
Tags: advice, agency, agents, agm, Anna Goodson, Art, Business, Illustration, Illustrators, inspiration, marketing, promotion
Recent Entries
- Copy Cat, Dirty Rat!
- How to become a successful Illustrator
- Illustration Today
- Another one bites the dust! So what!
- AGM’s Annual Pumpking Carving Contest is NOW on!
- Say NO to Stock and Royalty Free Illustrations
- Feeling lonely? You are not alone!
- Michel Rabagliati’s Paul A Quebec
- In times like these, we all need to stay positive
- New 2009 AGM Website!
- ISH Magazine Interview
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