People often write me to ask how I got started as an illustrator and if there is any advice I can give them regarding making a career out of illustration. When I first started my illustration career, I wrote illustrators that I admired (Jordin Isip, Modern Dog, Kirsten Ulve) and they were very generous with their information/expertise. I would like to pass the good vibes on so I wrote this article to help out new illustrators. Hopefully, you will find something useful in this article.
Unique Consistent Style
I think having a unique consistent style is probably one of the most import keys to having a successful illustration career.
- Read this article: Does an illustrator need a “style”?
- Read this book: The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding by Al Ries and Laura Ries
Technical Skills
It’s hard to execute a good idea if you don’t have the technical skills to do it. Having great technical skills not only allows you to realize your ideas .. but also will save you a ton of time in the long run because you will be much more efficient/responsive when clients have feedback.
I highly recommend Lynda.com’s video tutorial. You pay a monthly subscription fee which gives you access to all the videos you can watch on all the major programs (photoshop, flash, illustrator, aftereffect, and tons more) NOTE: Make sure you unsubscribe from their service otherwise they will auto renew it.
They are not paying me a dime to give them a plug … They really make learning easy.
Marketing your illustrations
All your marketing efforts should point back to your web site. A web site is a place where you can centralize information, keep it up to date, and gives the client a few actionable options (contact you via email, phone, subscribe to your RSS feed so they are updated whenever you post new work, book mark a piece of art they like, etc).
So the first thing you need to do is make sure you have a “Good web site”.
- If you don’t already have a domain (example: www.youname.com) you can register you domain name at www.register.com .. All you need is the domain name .. don’t buy any extra services .. it’s not necessary.
- Next, you need a good web hosting company. I use www.site5.com and they are amazing. They have tons of automated tools so you can install a blog at the click of a button.
- Keep it simple – clearly explain what service you are providing – http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20030825.html
- Usability and Search Engine Optimization – Don’t use FLASH, Frames, Pop-ups, Lightbox, etc .. stick with good old fashion XHTML/CSS! I developed Flash web sites for over 10 years .. and for an illustrator’s web site my advice is DON’T USE FLASH! 40% of my web traffic comes from Google alone and by using Flash you are making it hard for search engines to index your site and hindering word of mouth marketing because of a number of usability issues. For example, lots of social bookmarking sites (digg.com, stumbleupon.com, facebook.com, etc) won’t be able to take advantage of specific content on flash sites. http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20001029.html. I have received some really big jobs from clients who found me through Google .. for example DELL Computers
- Unique URL – Make sure every piece of art on your site has a unique url .. you know, in your browser where you type the web address .. no pop ups, no frames, no flash, no lightbox, etc – art directors often forward urls to editors, so you want to facilitate this process and not hinder it. Here is an example of a unique url that will never change. http://www.n8w.com/image/art/green_marketing/. Try Googling “Green Marketing Illustration“
- Update your site Frequently – BLOG/RSS Feed/Return Visitors - most good web hosting companies have an easy way to set up blogs, ask your isp for help or set up one at blogger.com. A blog is good because it will keep your site fresh and most clients are return visitors, so you need to give them a reason to return. Most blogs automatically generate a RSS feed. RSS feeds are not only great for search engine indexing, but more and more people and products, Windows Vista and Mac OS X, are taking advantages of RSS feeds. In a nutshell, RSS allows people to be automatically notified when a web site is updated. I subscribe to lots of illustrators RSS feeds so I can post some of the newest work on illustrationmundo.com. .
- Google Analytics – In order to understand what works, you need a good stats system to track your marketing efforts. That will give you an idea what the ROI or the return on investment is for a specific marketing tactic. Google’s service is the best I have seen and its free, there is no reason not to use it. So a practical way you might use this information is to find out which thumbnail image from your portfolio is the most clicked on, this image might be a good image to use for your postcard mailer because it’s generating the most interest https://www.google.com/analytics/. You can create special links to track specific marketing tactics with the link builder tool. So for example say you pay to be listed in a web site’s directory. Instead of just giving them your web site link you give them the link generated by the link builder tool which in return will tell you a ton about the hits generated from this site and you can see if the ROI is worth it.
- Mailing List – once you make a connection with a client you want to keep it .. it takes more money to get a new customer than to sell to an existing one. People that have hired you are more likely to hire you again and again. There are lots of free emailing list options .. Google it. If you want something for free check out PHP List. Otherwise, I highly recommend … http://www.campaignmonitor.com
Once you have a good, user friendly, search engine friendly site. Post card mailers are probably the second most cost effective and effective tactic. Lots of times art directors just need to be reminded you exist. That is why I think higher frequency is better than spending a lot of money on one marketing tactic. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. I would rather spend my money doing 3 postcard mailers a year vs. one big book ad
Cold calls are something you will have to do when starting out .. find magazines, papers, etc that you like or think would be a good fit for you art and contact the art director .. ask them if its okay to send them a few examples of your work. I would never send more than 3 pieces .. they will know what your art work is about after seeing 3 pieces.
Take advantage of online communities .. you will communicate with other artists, share info, find mentors and be more connected to the industry.
http://www.illustrationmundo.com/wp/links
Attitude
After working as an art director for Microsoft’s Xbox .. I can’t say how important it is to have a positive attitude. Of course talent is crucial .. but talent isn’t the only thing that gets you work. People are people and it’s always nicer to work with someone that is positive and solution oriented. I used to hire tons of external agencies to create web sites and other online promotional material. All the agencies were extremely talented but those that could talk about their work in an exciting way, were easy to work with and accepted feedback well were the ones I hired over and over again.
I’m not saying do anything the client wants with a smile on your face. You were hired because you are an expert in your field .. articulate the decisions you made and get them excited about your ideas .. but it’s also important to stay positive and flexible.
Informational
You can save yourself a lot of extra work by asking a few questions up front.
First, get the basic information:
- Dimensions
- Resolution
- Color or Black and white
- Important Dates
- etc
If this is the first time working with this person ask them:
- Why did you choose me for this project?(I like your concepts, I like your painterly style, your work is cute and works well for teenage girl magazines, your style is rough and dark and works well for this editorial piece on drug abuse, etc)
- Which pieces of work do you particularly like and why?(I like the man on the boat cause it’s funny, I like all the texture in the piece you did for Converse, etc)
- How did you discover my work?
This will give you a better idea of what the client likes about your work, why they chose you for this particular project and what they expect.
Next, get more information about the job, if it’s a long editorial .. ask them:
- What part of the story do they really want emphasize?
- Is there anything they want to stay away from?
- Do they have any ideas?(This doesn’t necessarily mean to use the idea .. but it will give you a general idea of the path they want to take or what part they think is important/interesting)
Tracking the Work
If you want to make a career out of illustration you will need a good way to keep track of your jobs so you make the deadlines and get paid for your work?
- When are roughs due?
- When are final sketches due?
- Are there any jobs you need to complete?
- Are you too busy to take on more work in a specific month?
- Who hasn’t paid? (http://lessaccounting.com/)
There are a number of ways to keep track of this information. I programmed a little MySQL database application for it .. but you can just as easily track it using a spread sheet or some other existing software. I highly recommend http://www.google.com/calendar
http://www.google.com/calendar
I have a web page for every job where the client and I can keep track of job’s progress .. this page includes:
- the job dates
- contact information
- creative direction/job info
- pencil sketches
- final image
- a link for the client to download the final high resolution file ( It is really helpful to use a service where you can store your high resolution files online. This will make it easier for you to keep organize and share your files with the people that need them. I use the service http://www.flipdrive.com )
I created my own solution using php/mysql .. but an easier route might be to do this using a WordPress or BLOGGER account.
Creating the Work
- Brain storming – get inspired by your environment – I always do my brainstorming and rough sketches outside of my house .. sometimes I take a bus ride with no destination in mind .. sit on a park bench and watch people .. or walk through the city. When you put yourself in new environments you notice things .. you notice subtleties. this is a great way to spark your creativity and start thinking of analogies that might be good for your illustration .. if nothing else it makes your life more interesting.
- Here is an article to help with the brainstorming process
Pencil Sketches
Next you can talk to the client and talk about your ideas .. I prefer just to create pencil sketches, because a lot of the time it’s hard to envision what you are talking about .. and my sketches are extremely rough so they don’t take me more than .. about … 60 seconds … I try to sketch very loose and fast so the focus is on the ideas and not on the craftsmanship .. at this stage of the process it’s all about ideas .. and you don’t want a slow drawing hand to slow them from coming out of your teeming brain.
I usually take pictures of my sketches with a digital camera .. its a lot faster than a scanner and because it’s a rough quality isn’t so important ..
Next I scare my client with my super rough sketches and explain to them .. to just focus on the concepts .. the final piece won’t look exactly like this .. ;)
The client emails/phones their feedback .. usually something something like .. “sketch 4 is great .. but can we emphasis the blah and maybe reduce or take out blah .. make the cat a dog and make the dog a cat .. etc”
Final
My process changes a little for each project .. but this will give you a general idea of how I work.
I create my work in a variety of ways .. sometimes I paint with acrylics, draw with sharpie markers, ball point pens,a wacom tablet, paint with india ink, create textures with water color or photocopy machines, etc .. but basically what I am trying to do is create a library of modular pieces I can, later, put into the computer and rearrange the size, composition, color .. etc .. I really like organic textures and loose free flowing lines .. but as an illustrator with quick turn around times I need to be able to make quick changes and easily incorporate client feedback .. so I mix all these really organic elements in a way that is easy to modify/edit via the computer.
To spark my creativity .. I often re-use pieces from my other works .. basically collaging my own stuff .. maybe a head, or a cloud, or a bike wheel, etc .. this helps me quickly create compositions .. but it’s more just for placement .. I then modify or create new pieces specific to the illustrations needs .. at the end you won’t even recognize most of these pieces .. but it really helps me get started .. breaks the ice .. gets the ball rolling .. etc
I’m planning to pursue an illustration major next fall and this was really informative! I feel like I have a better grasp on what could be waiting for me in the future. Thank you so much!
THANK YOU, NATE!
Wow, i’ve just stumbled across this website and its totally great. What information and inspiration it has given me. Thank you so very much for opening my eyes. x
Thank you for this article! Will help my illustrator friend in his pursuit of happiness!
Thanks, Nate.
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even though this is a few years old. it is EXACTLY what i was looking for… a good road map, a starting point, knowing what goals to set for myself… thank you very much!
Some of the best advise on illustration I’ve come across. Thanks for taking the time to share. I shall put this to good use immediately!
Hey, Nate. I wil see you in the Gooo magazine soon!
Hi Nate,
First off, just judging from the wealth of information you’ve presented, you seem like a very cool, very generous person…thank you for being both.
Secondly, I’m extremely new to all of this. I don’t have my own website yet and I heard about IllustrationMundo through a design magazine which led me here. I am a graphic designer & illustrator and have done freelance work, both paid and pro-bono.
Will the fact that I don’t have a website yet prevent me from joining the IllustrationMundo community?
I’ve recently been laid-off from my job as a graphic artist in a pre-press role with a screenprinting company. With the extra time on my hands, I’m trying to get back into doing more illustration and drumming up some paying gigs.
Any help/advice you have to offer would be greatly appreciated.
Once again, thank you.
Thankyou for writing this article of info for the aspiring illustrator! :) I’m just starting an awesome program in illustration, and I loved reading about what my career might hold!
Not sure if I can add anything to the sea of compliments. Just wanted to join in and tell you how helpful this information is to noob illustrators. Thank you, sir.
Hi there! Really cool and helpful article! Thanks so much ^_^!
Sweet! Thank you for the information. This is vital information to me, just getting into the freelance illustration world.
Thank You! All of this information is very help full
May continued success blossom for you!
Regards,
Walter
Thanks for putting the effort to do this, it was helpful. Much appreciated man :-)
Thank You! You have so kindly shared a wealth of knowledge – obviously your mother – besides shoving wheat germ and carob down your throat, also taught you the valuable lesson of sharing. I think your mother knows that sharing is “cool”. Knowledge is power and so many people don’t want to.
I have completely changed my work – and am going cute and digital. Found the information super helpful and insightful. It is always a challenge to keep both sides of the brain in line between the business side and the creative side.
Your work rocks and thanks for the insight.
Colleen Ayson
Wonderful info…~I’m anxious to try my hand at this whole being an illustrator business~
great info. love your style. as an undiscovered beginner graphic artist i look to other illustrators/graphic artists to help with ideas, insight, and motivation. you were able to do all of this. thx.
Thank you so much for your information! My friend told me I should become an illustrator when he saw my work, I didn’t take his words then, but I had a hard think of my career path, and now I wanted to become one! I guess he knew before me!
I love your work too! It’s so cute and unique! It brings a smile to my face! :D
Hey thanks Nate!
Great article!
I love all the links you included! They seem that they will be helpful in the future for when I graduate! <3
Thanx
Thank you alot for the advice. Its been very helpful and I feel inspired now to go out and try it!
Man this is much more useful than any “How-to-be-an-illustrator or fundamentals-of-illustration” book I have ever read. And yet much shorter!
Thanks so much for taking the time to write it down. The links are great!
thks for sharing…
i lov ur work…
Nate,
Thanks so much for doing this for the struggling illustrators out there, I think you may be one of a kind in this capacity; yours is a name that I have seen many times, always in a positive and helpful context.
I hope I can start to become much more productive now I’ve graduated/returned from traveling!
Nate, thanks for sharing all this great info!
Nate, THANK YOU for pouring your wisdom and advice out into the illustration community. Illustration Mundo is a site I visit everyday–such an incredible and valuable resource that helps all of us grow as artists. What’s better is growing as artists in community and not isolation. Love your work too!
Nate, THANK YOU for this article, and for pouring into young illustrators in the worldwide illustration community. In your EFII interview, you mentioned that other artists that took time to give you their advice really encouraged you in your pursuits. Thanks for passing that generosity on to us. Illustration Mundo (aptly named) is such an incredible resource that inspires us all to grow as artists. What’s more, we grow as artists in community. Love your work too!
Thanks, Weylon
nate, what a ledge! The info and content on this page is amazing!!!
keep up the good work its much appreciated!
Great web page! Thanks very much. My son, who is a high school senior, is considering a career in illustration. He is interested in Medical or Scientific Illustration. We seem to be limited in the colleges which have courses in this field. Can you give any guidance? Are some colleges better known for supporting illustrator careers? Thanks.
Thanks so much for this amazing article. I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to do this for other aspiring artists. You truly are an incredible illustrator.
Nate, this is powerful stuff. I'm just starting to focus myself (and my web presence) on my illustration talents and this information is like gold. Thank you for taking the time to write all this out. Bookmarked and will be back (often).
The best approach to giving advice to young illustrators.Looking at examples of experienced artists. Anything is possible as long as I don´t have to do it.
The best approach to giving advice to young illustrators.Looking at examples of experienced artists. Anything is possible as long as I don´t have to do it.
I'm a bit late – not withstanding – this post is great! I personally love the illustrations!
Wow!
I have been doing illustration for 5 years now but I could never manage the time to transform it into a business. I was really busy being an graphic designer and art director. Now I have decided that I need to try the illustration as a career. With a kid on the way, my priorities have switched and I really want to realize my dream and try to be a professional illustrator. Since I took this decision, I have been listening to every podcast and reading a lots of blogs to figure out what are the next steps I need to take. Everyone tells the the same thing, build your portfolio, auto-promote yourself and build a website, but you are the first one that explains very clearly what needs to be done. Thank you so much for this article! It really makes me feel less alone with my project.
ps: If you have a bit of time, I would really appreciate some personal advice on my illustration. If you don't have the time, I completely understand and you have helped me so much with this post already. Thanks
Love your work, you are a true inspiration
Thanks again
I love the concise way you summed up this information- I've been reading books on getting into the illustration business, and this was excellent information that was direct and to the point!
It's never enough of good vibes and information, thank you!
I LOVE the idea of having a web page on your site to track each job. Thanks for sharing!
Kick ass article! Under the website part I would first suggest that people use krop creative database or carbonmade before building their own website or hiring someone. krop creative database and carbonmade offer a hosted and managed solution to people who are not web savvy and want a good looking website quickly. On thursday I setup a website for my friend who is a carpenter here:
http://www.sageparent.com
It cost $99 for one full year of the service, the domain cost $8 at godaddy, and it took me all of one hour to upload the photos and information to the site. GREAT!
Krop Creative Database:
http://www.krop.com/creativedatabase/
Carbonmade:
http://www.carbonmade.com
I'm 16 in a few months, and i'm very interested in furthering my art career in to illustration, and i've searched a few blogs and sites and havn't really found any thing that has a great amount of information, but this is very usefull, thanks for posting.
hi im megan a 13 year old female who is a great illustrator {well at least I think I am}
my style of drawing is like basic shapes and most of my cartoons have big eyes and i love to draw animals too
one day i wish to be like u.
from megan
this is amazing! Im trying to finish my art degree to do Illustration and I was lost until now. I still need an internship but its nice to have a better sense of direction. When I start my career and use youre advice (which I will) I will def give credit to you. THANK YOU!!
Thank you so much for this information! Baaam, I got the answers of so many questions I had.
Looking for an opportunity to explore your creativity then, Foliofox -a portfolio website gives you a platform to live to your imagination.It provides you to upload 500 images into your gallery.It provides you email your creativity to directors directly from your album box.FolioFox encourages artists to explore there talent to the audience in an impressive way.
http://www.foliofox.com