Illustration is a vast filed where a person can earn well if they have the skills. Building a career in the illustration industry is a task that demands a lot of devotion and hard work. However, if people know how to work in the field to achieve success from the beginning, they can easily find their way to the heights of achievement in this highly competitive profession.
Illustrators need to keep their focus on certain areas of their work to build up skill and grow fast. They do not only need to learn how to use different illustration tools, but they also need to work on their work approach and other factors that can influence their status and growth in the profession.
Things that many illustrators have extracted from their firsthand experience in the profession of illustration can be a great insight for new entries. This article is attempting to gather all the best tips and tricks that the artists and illustrators can use to pace up with the professional atmosphere and make their way in the field. Lets explore this to know how an illustrator can make their passion their profession without facing too many hurdles.
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Know that It Will Take Time
The first point that newbies in the field should make sure they have learnt is patience. Know that building a successful career in a field that is full of competition is not cakewalk from any aspect. You need to work hard and be patient. You will learn the right ways with experience, be it designing or dealing with your clients. Have a strategy and watch out for ways to improve yourself constantly but do not give up if something does not turnout as you planned. Remember that things will come your way if you will keep trying and be patient.
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Do not Focus too Much on Style
Illustrators in the past used to build their own specified illustration style to become popular and that actually worked for them. There are illustrators in the history whose work can be recognized because of the particular style that they used. However, the times have changed now. There are a vast illustration market and way too many illustrators as well. Now, focusing on building a particular style in this situation will limit you. Initially, you should try to try your hands on all kind of illustration works that are demanded in the market. If you are observing that the market is eagerly looking for affordable children’s book illustrators, learn to work on that type of projects and build your skill.
You can eventually build a style as you work through different projects and experience with multiple styles. Once you will become a pro at illustration, your personal work style will emerge on its own. First, polish your skill and diversify your exposure in the field, and then style will come on its own.
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Time Frame for Projects
Whether you are working as an in-house illustrator or a freelancer, make sure you learn to estimate time consumption for each project efficiently and manage your time as estimated. Be realistic about how much time you will take for a project and include the research time in that estimation properly. Then, divide your task into small parts and assign a certain part to each part. Follow the plan religiously and deliver the work on the decided time. That is because even if you are the best illustrator, if you are bad at managing your work timing, its going to be extremely difficult for you to grow professionally. Time is the most precious asset on the earth and you should never forget that.
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Never forget that you are doing a Business!
When it comes to professionalism, no one can act as one unless they start to perceive themselves as a business. No one should ever compromise on their worth as a professional. Do not work at low paid projects and never think that you will take up a project just for exposure. It is not worth it and it is not professional. Exploitation is not okay in the professional industry and you should know that. Present yourself as a worthy artist who deserves to be paid appropriately for their talents and skills. Do not feel ashamed of asking for an amount your art and your time is worthy of.
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Listen to Your Client
Artists, especially who are new to the profession; often face the trouble where they are presented with design requirement that they personally do not like. In such situations, it is important for the illustrators to understand that they do not need to think of their own opinions and preferences when they are working for a client. They can convey their own suggestions but the final decision should always come from the clients and not the illustrator. After all, this is the fair deal as the clients are the one who are paying. Also, try to understand the perspective of your clients before you present any idea or suggestion.
