Comments on: How to become a successful Illustrator http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/how-to-become-a-successful-illustrator/ The personal blog of artist rep and agency owner Anna Goodson Thu, 17 May 2012 20:13:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Drained http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/how-to-become-a-successful-illustrator/#comment-813 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 05:16:33 +0000 http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/?p=113#comment-813 Hmmm…maybe I’m just one of those people who isn’t talented enough. I’ve applied to places until I’m blue in the face, to no avail. I almost landed a position w/ a design firm and the art director wanted to speak w/ me, but when I called back the next day, the position had been filled. I’m really starting to believe I’m not allowed to become an illustrator. Its been 3 years since I’ve graduated and the only things I’ve snagged was a T-shirt design, x-actoing a stencil for someone, and doing a portrait. I’ve been told by old advertising war horses that I’m very warm, personable, and thorough, but if that’s true why can’t I break in? I’m trying very hard not be so sensitive, but I’m officially running on empty now. I feel like my core/default personality is just defunct.

]]> By: Jessica Townsend (@JLTIllustration) http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/how-to-become-a-successful-illustrator/#comment-810 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:11:07 +0000 http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/?p=113#comment-810 Thank you everyone for the information it is very helpful! I have just embarked on the path to becoming an illustrator after taking time out after my degree to teach graphic design and the one thing I am finding really hard is having invested so much time in developing a ‘style’ but having no real clear idea if it is actually marketable! Now there is no real chance to bash on people’s doors to show your portfolio there is a distinct lack of clear feedback from Agents about what sells or why your work isn’t suitable for them. I have only just started contacting Agents but I feel completely in the dark as to whether or not I am working on the right track! I am a versatile illustrator and am so motivated to succeed that I will gladly develop a different way of working if necessary. I see a trend back towards more ‘handmade’ original illustration, do you think this will last? Is it worth me developing an alter ego with a different style?

http://www.jessica-townsend.co.uk

]]> By: Chlo http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/how-to-become-a-successful-illustrator/#comment-787 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:28:43 +0000 http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/?p=113#comment-787 Yes you have a very good point. I think i will become a very successful illustrator. I’ve wanted to be an illustrator since i was like four so i know i have the talent, i am confident on my style of drawings and i’m sure i can make it. I am definitley going to take your advice but i’m going to start my career in a few years time though because i’m only 13 and yes i know what i’m doing but people probably won’t take me seriously. Thanks anyway. :)

]]> By: Lorelai Roark http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/how-to-become-a-successful-illustrator/#comment-780 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:22:37 +0000 http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/?p=113#comment-780 I believe this is a great post, though there are a few things I’d like to inject in regards to some of the advice and/or comments.

In today’s market you can impress one agent but not the other. Your work can be fresh, exhilarating & astounding to one agent while being “mediocre” to the next. After all, isn’t that what art is? Creations left to interpretation? Opinions are a dime a dozen & while keeping a busy appearance up on the web is extremely important, I don’t believe “impressing” anyone should be. The simple fact of the matter is that you’re never going to impress everyone & besides, who wants that? As artists we should only want the truly genuine link to someone who views our work as “talent”. To say someone is “talented” nowadays is meaningless & the point is moot. Talent has & always will be in the eye of the beholder when it comes to art, illustration or any other type of creative industry. Looking for “talent” is not a well-versed or rounded approach when viewing art.

What one agent views as “talent” another might view as “mediocre”. Agent Z wants to represent you & your “talents” now after all these years but all those others before him/her….agents A-Y didn’t want you because they believed you had no talent.

In the creative industry from which we operate today, the best advice is to follow your heart. Sounds corny & is not a business-like agenda but it will never fail to feed the hunger you have inside you. Do what you love & the money (agents) will follow. It’s as simple & as complicated as that.

]]> By: Anna Goodson http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/how-to-become-a-successful-illustrator/#comment-741 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:10:23 +0000 http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/?p=113#comment-741 Thanks

]]> By: Fiona Richards http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/how-to-become-a-successful-illustrator/#comment-740 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:02:42 +0000 http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/?p=113#comment-740 Great post – totally agree with you about source books!

]]> By: Kath Walker http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/how-to-become-a-successful-illustrator/#comment-734 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:49:57 +0000 http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/?p=113#comment-734 Anna

Thanks for the very positive article and sharing your wisdom!

Regards
Kath (UK Illustrator)
http://www.kathwalker-illustration.co.uk/

]]> By: crystal driedger http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/how-to-become-a-successful-illustrator/#comment-582 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:05:55 +0000 http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/?p=113#comment-582 Excellent feedback and article. You’ve given me a fresh perspective on my own work and some hot fire under me to get my “portfolio/style” rework going! Thank you.
I would say also that no matter how much talent you have you need to love the industry in order to stick with it. I’ve seen too many excellent students of mine give up before they gave themselves a chance because they couldn’t take the early years when they had no ground under their feet… I say it’s not over until you’re six feet under! :)

]]> By: Anna Goodson http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/how-to-become-a-successful-illustrator/#comment-579 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:32:57 +0000 http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/?p=113#comment-579 Hi Brian,
That’s an excellent point and one that I overlooked. Perseverance is definitely and important factor in being successful.
Thanks for the comments.
Regards,
A

]]> By: Brian Raszka http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/how-to-become-a-successful-illustrator/#comment-578 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:20:34 +0000 http://annagoodson.wordpress.com/?p=113#comment-578 Excellent info. Anna!
I would also add that perseverance is crucial. I agree that one has to be self-critical in determining if one has talent enough to be a professional illustrator but on the other hand you have to take any criticism with a grain of salt. As with anything in life-you can only try. The market will determine if you are to be a success.
Money in the bank helps. There can be quite a lot of time between projects. Having a part-time job also helps when you are starting out.
Finding the right type of promotion can be difficult. I did the sourcebook route for a few years and it did little for me. Postcards worked well for years. Now on-line is where it’s at. It’s inexpensive compared to the sourcebooks and postcards but it very crowded. Now more than ever you need to stand out. Stand out with your style, professionalism and customer service.
Happy Anniversary AGM!

]]>