1.
Working as an Illustrator
a.
Illustration is different form graphic design.
Illustrators are typically sole traders of freelancers
b.
Operacy is about getting your work out into the
public domain
2.
The single cycle of work
a.
Prospecting for work
b.
Communicating to potential client
c.
Receiving an offer
d.
Reading details of offer carefully
e.
Negotiating
f.
Generating roughs
g.
Delivering roughs on a deadline
h.
Generating final artwork
i.
Delivering final artwork on a deadline in
correct forms
j.
Submit invoice
k.
Track payments
l.
Receive final payment
3.
Your business plan
4.
Standard business plan will contain these
elements:
a.
Executive summary
i. Imagine
you are explaining to someone who knows little about illustration
b.
Description of business opportunity
i. Overview
of business
1.
Starting date
2.
Type of business
3.
Vision for the future
4.
Legal structure
ii. Copyright
1.
License
2.
Moral rights
3.
Key provisos
4.
Your products and services
5.
Your marketing and sales strategy
i. Your
market and competitors
ii. Your
market
iii. Your
target customer
iv. Your
competitors
v. Anticipated
changes in the market
vi. Maketing
and SaleS
6.
How will you do your promoting?
a.
A website
b.
Physical portofolio
c.
Promotional material
d.
Illustrations annuals
7.
How will you do your selling?
a.
Telephone calls
b.
Email
c.
Post
d.
Face-to-face
e.
Exhibitions
8.
The skills of your team
a.
Pros of having an agent
i. Already
have and established client base
ii. Already
have an up-to-date mailing list
iii. Secure
you a contract and deal with licensing
iv. Promote
your work
v. Provide
buffer zone between client and illustrator
vi. Demand higher fees
vii. represent
a stable of illustrators
viii.
additional promotional opportunities
ix. experience
in the markets
b.
Cons of having an agent
i. Cost
ii. Signing
contracts
iii. Will
not be the answer to all your problems
9.
Your operations
a.
Location
b.
Pros of a home studio
i. No
added expenses
ii. No
commute
iii. Ho
limitations to how or when you work
iv. No
unwanted interruptions
v. No
studio politics
c.
Cons of a home studio
i. Lack
of separation between work and home
ii. Lack
of variety
iii. Lack
of motivation could be an issue
iv. Lack
of company
d.
Pros of a shared studio
i. Provides
an up and focused working environment
ii. Provides
an on-tap peer advice
iii. Provides
networking opportunities
iv. Provides
after-work social life with like-minded people
e.
Cons of a shared studio
i. Involves
considerable additional expenses
ii. Could
involve distractions
iii. Involves
a commute
iv. Involves
limitations to wen and how you work
10. Illustration
Collectives
a.
Involves getting together with a group of
like-minded creatives and forming a collective that shares certain philosophies
and operacy values.
11. Information
technology
a.
Office standards
i. Access
to internet
ii. Email
account that can handle large files
iii. Computer
iv. Scanner
v. Color
printer
vi. Software
1.
Microsoft Office
2.
Adobe Photoshop
3.
Adobe Illustrator
4.
Adobe Flash
5.
Adobe Dreamwear
6.
Adobe InDesign
12. Financial
Forecasts
a.
Cash-flow statements
b.
Profit and Loss forecast
c.
Sales forecast
13. Some
financial advice
a.
Don’t work for free
b.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
c.
Conduct yourself professionally at your
graduation show
d.
Be tenacious
e.
Be prepared to stick up for yourself
f.
Be aware of clients changing your work
g.
Be efficient
h.
Be positive
i.
Be versatile
