When I began I was adamant that I would be tailoring my work towards interview; approaching companies and applying for specific jobs. This has not changed but I have also used my research to influence other promotional choices. For example, to achieve my long-term goals an agent might be necessary; working for Disney, Dreamwork's or Pixar is far simpler when you are part of a prestigious agency because larger companies approach potential clients, as opposed to vise-versa. I, therefore, applied for agencies, researched the implications and, although I am still awaiting response, I am confident I have completed the relevant primary research to achieve this in the long -term.
Similarly, corresponding with Publishers and other Illustrators/artists has been highly informative. Talking to Dustin at Digital Leaf helped me to understand the kind of market I should be targeting, as it is too adult for children's books. A word that cropped up when contacting agencies, in description of my work was 'sophisticated' (I assume this means 'worldly' they would not clarify), implying it as too adult for specific teen plus agencies. I, therefore, learned early on in the project that my wish to avoid children's book Illustration was correct. Naturally, my style lends itself to something more adult and in terms of illustrative promotion (not including my design based strategies) I had and have a very specific audience (15+) that I am targeting. I am pleased how I worked around the limits of my target audience. My Client List shows a range of publishers and agents; all of whom partake in projects that are not simply for children. Illustration for teen book covers; Penguin especially, offers up an opportunity for a grittier style of Illustration.
In terms of the fashion market, I wanted to create a brand for myself. In the design world I feel my audience will be wide; not age specific. This aspect of my promotional strategy was largely informed by my three promotional items and the portfolio. My Portfolio is both subtly generic and still fashion orientated. I chose lot of figurative work to demonstrate my passion for character based imagery; using this a vessel to display my fashion images too (my character design largely costume based-the figures merely a hanger for the outfits I create.) Thus, I do not need to split myself in two, my personal illustrative agenda has been informed by the direction of my portfolio in ways and I am pleased that I have managed to create a cohesive portfolio that adheres to two markets I want to work in, fashion and Illustration. I will be taking my portfolio to interview, as it works across the board; the pages are easily photocopied with space to hide some business cards and postcards etc at the back or even my bags in a wallet. I will also be taking the portfolio to the London Book Fair; where I will be attending a the comic book convention on the 8th and the Art Directors Surgery on the 10th. As well as the hope of gaining contacts and recognition; there is the possibility of learning a lot from Industry professionals. Keeping business cards and portfolio in hand will be vital to the days success.
I have created a wide range of promotional items for different markets and purposes. My strategy was to create a series of smaller items to accompany my CV; to be given away at interview or whilst dropping in my CV. My postcards, however, work individually and are easy to send, light, transportable and re-usable. I picked bold, signature designs and included my self-portrait. I feel it is important to keep pushing the 'brand.' The same for my business cards, I used my logo (mermaid) and self-portrait against a white background. This ties in with my T-shirt designs, which were created as prototypes to be photographed and sent to design companies (Fat-Face etc.). The clean white background against bold image was most effective on the children's design; the balance of the images was perfect for the sizing and gave an all together juvenile look . Fortunately, the T-shirts have been finished to professional standard; so my back-up marketing plan would be to take them with me to one of the Gala's I attend during the summer and sell them alongside my framed work; this ensures their continued use as promotional items if the design idea does not sell.
The bags I created are easy to produce, small, they can be carried around with ease (perfect for the London Book-fair). The items I have made go inside, including my stickers, postcards and bookmarks, are all small but fit the same mold and design. The Fairy Tale theme is unwavering, carrying through to my CV and the stickers (which will be used a freebie and to secure the folded CV). The bookmarks flaunt my Fairytale series and I took influence from the work and compilations of J.Scott. Campbell to create s stand-alone, sell able item, which could also be included in the bags. So far I photographed my bags and prepared them to be given out at the Book Fair, I have had positive feedback about them. The business card tied as a tag means I am effectively promoting my brad and my Illustration work in one collection of items. The bags perfectly tie everything together; in the same way my T-shirts have been tagged with a business card, becoming marketable items as well as design prototypes.
My website and web-presence has improved greatly over the project. My primary objective was to learn how to use my various websites and pages to better promote my work. My website was put together using weebly, I needed something I could update as I post work every day. It is a clean and simple website, important to better set off my often detailed and colorful imagery. My web-presence is what has worked to gain the most promotional results. I have learned to use my Facebook, Deviant-Art and pinterest accounts more effectively, simply posting more and paying attention to the work of others; networking in that way. I have manged to get job offers this way and another from meeting and talk to interested parties and artists who ask for my feedback or offer me theirs. This project has set me up for the future; I have started to apply for jobs already and networking and giving out my business card has already, in the last couple of weeks, brought up some opportunities I am keen to follow up.
Similarly, corresponding with Publishers and other Illustrators/artists has been highly informative. Talking to Dustin at Digital Leaf helped me to understand the kind of market I should be targeting, as it is too adult for children's books. A word that cropped up when contacting agencies, in description of my work was 'sophisticated' (I assume this means 'worldly' they would not clarify), implying it as too adult for specific teen plus agencies. I, therefore, learned early on in the project that my wish to avoid children's book Illustration was correct. Naturally, my style lends itself to something more adult and in terms of illustrative promotion (not including my design based strategies) I had and have a very specific audience (15+) that I am targeting. I am pleased how I worked around the limits of my target audience. My Client List shows a range of publishers and agents; all of whom partake in projects that are not simply for children. Illustration for teen book covers; Penguin especially, offers up an opportunity for a grittier style of Illustration.
In terms of the fashion market, I wanted to create a brand for myself. In the design world I feel my audience will be wide; not age specific. This aspect of my promotional strategy was largely informed by my three promotional items and the portfolio. My Portfolio is both subtly generic and still fashion orientated. I chose lot of figurative work to demonstrate my passion for character based imagery; using this a vessel to display my fashion images too (my character design largely costume based-the figures merely a hanger for the outfits I create.) Thus, I do not need to split myself in two, my personal illustrative agenda has been informed by the direction of my portfolio in ways and I am pleased that I have managed to create a cohesive portfolio that adheres to two markets I want to work in, fashion and Illustration. I will be taking my portfolio to interview, as it works across the board; the pages are easily photocopied with space to hide some business cards and postcards etc at the back or even my bags in a wallet. I will also be taking the portfolio to the London Book Fair; where I will be attending a the comic book convention on the 8th and the Art Directors Surgery on the 10th. As well as the hope of gaining contacts and recognition; there is the possibility of learning a lot from Industry professionals. Keeping business cards and portfolio in hand will be vital to the days success.
I have created a wide range of promotional items for different markets and purposes. My strategy was to create a series of smaller items to accompany my CV; to be given away at interview or whilst dropping in my CV. My postcards, however, work individually and are easy to send, light, transportable and re-usable. I picked bold, signature designs and included my self-portrait. I feel it is important to keep pushing the 'brand.' The same for my business cards, I used my logo (mermaid) and self-portrait against a white background. This ties in with my T-shirt designs, which were created as prototypes to be photographed and sent to design companies (Fat-Face etc.). The clean white background against bold image was most effective on the children's design; the balance of the images was perfect for the sizing and gave an all together juvenile look . Fortunately, the T-shirts have been finished to professional standard; so my back-up marketing plan would be to take them with me to one of the Gala's I attend during the summer and sell them alongside my framed work; this ensures their continued use as promotional items if the design idea does not sell.
The bags I created are easy to produce, small, they can be carried around with ease (perfect for the London Book-fair). The items I have made go inside, including my stickers, postcards and bookmarks, are all small but fit the same mold and design. The Fairy Tale theme is unwavering, carrying through to my CV and the stickers (which will be used a freebie and to secure the folded CV). The bookmarks flaunt my Fairytale series and I took influence from the work and compilations of J.Scott. Campbell to create s stand-alone, sell able item, which could also be included in the bags. So far I photographed my bags and prepared them to be given out at the Book Fair, I have had positive feedback about them. The business card tied as a tag means I am effectively promoting my brad and my Illustration work in one collection of items. The bags perfectly tie everything together; in the same way my T-shirts have been tagged with a business card, becoming marketable items as well as design prototypes.
My website and web-presence has improved greatly over the project. My primary objective was to learn how to use my various websites and pages to better promote my work. My website was put together using weebly, I needed something I could update as I post work every day. It is a clean and simple website, important to better set off my often detailed and colorful imagery. My web-presence is what has worked to gain the most promotional results. I have learned to use my Facebook, Deviant-Art and pinterest accounts more effectively, simply posting more and paying attention to the work of others; networking in that way. I have manged to get job offers this way and another from meeting and talk to interested parties and artists who ask for my feedback or offer me theirs. This project has set me up for the future; I have started to apply for jobs already and networking and giving out my business card has already, in the last couple of weeks, brought up some opportunities I am keen to follow up.
