How to become successful illustrator quickly?
Question by Stephanie R: How to become successful illustrator quickly?
Currently on an art course at college and going to start Illustration at university but after that I do not know what to do.
I wondered where to start going to look for a job as something similar to an illustrator.?
Where do I go?
What do you advise me to start doing and where to show and how to show my work to employers?
Answer by candy ex machina
In general, becoming a successful ANYTHING is not something that you can do quickly. You can become an average illustrator, or an employed illustrator with a steady job, but becoming successful in anything takes a bucket full of hard work. There are millions of people on the planet who want to become illustrators. Some of them have been studying all their lives. Do not expect to surpass them with anything but LOTS of hard work of your own.
Have you spoken to a counselor at your school about getting jobs? Universities usually have career counseling centers. Speaking to professors at potential schools would probably be a good idea as well.
In general, I find that illustration jobs are not really listed in the papers like other jobs are. To get them, you typically need to network with other illustrators and artists. See if there are any local groups or national organizations you can join up with. Participate in local events- are there any art or comic book conventions in your neighborhood? Are their local art shows or galleries? First Friday events? Sketch clubs? It’s possible to meet contacts online, but I find it’s easier to make an impression in person and in small communities. Consider doing your own projects in order to build your portfolio. Make sure that you’re always showing your art.
Speaking of portfolios, make sure you have an online one, preferably with your own domain name. Make business cards, and if you can, get a small printed book with your portfolio in it, and carry it with you so that you can show people your work and make an impression on the go.
You could also consider trying to get a trustworthy art agent. You should also try getting in contact with the people that you want to be working for. Is it book publishing companies? Video game companies? Comic companies? Graphic Designers? Greeting card companies? Try to figure this out…
Of course, you also need to make sure your artwork is up to snuff. Study life drawings, study other artists and popular illustrators. Go to museums, etc. Try to make every piece you create better than the last. Identify any problems that you might have with your artwork, and don’t be afraid to have other people help you with this as well. Ask strangers for their opinions. When you show your work to others, show them the work of the artists you aspire to be like. Ask them to explain any gaps they see in skill or presentation- ask them what the other guy has and you don’t. See what works for other artists, and what has worked for you in the past, and try to get it to work for you in the future.
That’s all the advice I can think of right now. Good luck.
I’ve work as a full time illustrator for 8 years now (freelance) and studied illustration at university. I think you should concentrate on your course at university for the moment, you will learn all sorts of things from it, the type of work you enjoy doing, what you’re best at etc. They should be able to advise you later in your degree about avenues you can take.
Even if you study illustration at university it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do it as a career -you may want to take the skills you’ve learnt and apply it to a different job. Out of all the people in my year on my course only 2 of us went on to actually do illustration afterwards. Others decided to become art directors, animators, designers, teachers. And within illustration there are lots of different types of work to specialise in (advertising, children’s books, greetings cards, editorial) and all these areas require different approaches to find work. It’s great that you’re thinking ahead but I personally think you shouldn’t worry about this yet and just see where your course takes you.
By the way, there is no quick way to become a successful illustrator -unless you’re incredibly lucky. It takes time and dedication, it’s not an easy profession to do or a way to make a quick buck. But if you put the work in and the time it can be very rewarding and a great job.
Hope that’s helpful. Have a great time on your course, work hard and enjoy it!