Social networking is a popular way of promoting yourself as an artist. I have a facebook page set up to show my artwork, it's an easy way to share your artwork with your friends allowing them to share it too. I am currently working on a Tumblr as that is a much faster way to spread your art with the power of hashtags. By using the appropriate hashtag people will be able to find my artwork. One of my favourite social networks is my Twitter account. I can actually talk to some of my artists & it's really exciting when they actually respond (sad I know). I have most of my followers on Twitter however it's hard to actually show off artwork on there, mainly because people are too lazy to click a link!
I have my own website that I am currently working on & struggling! Originally I was using squarespace to host it as it came with ready made templates suitable for online portfolios. However it was not very fun to work with & I couldn't get a shop working on there. I was bashing my head on my keyboard for hours! There is no need for this! So for £12 a month I thought it wasn't worth it, cancelled that account & purchased my own domain (www.hollipopillustration.co.uk) & purchased my own hosting space for a year. £30 it was! So much cheaper & more professional looking. I was able to download an app that integrated Wordpress so I could blog easily. And thanks to some of my friends who worked for website companies, I was able to get a premium theme for free! It's taking a long time to work on but it's far less stressful now!
Furthermore in the summer I have planned to set up a stall at the Manchester MCM expo. I have been visiting these shows since I was 12, mainly to dress up as it is my hobby, however this year I intend to sell artwork there with one of my fellow illustrators. I have decided to sell 5 different prints, 10 of each on a3. To print these I have been recommended a website called awesomemerchandise.com. This will cost £75 for 50 prints on card, good quality prints which value £1.50 each. So of course if I sell them at £3-£5 each I should make a tidy profit. However I also need to consider printing business cards & the look of my store so I can promote myself & lead people to my online store which will be set up by then. There is also the question of what my designs will be. I will have to consider the audience, not change my art style & not create a fan art at the same time. Tricky but with my many years of attending I should be able to come up with something!
Monday, 8 April 2013
Being a Children's Book Illustrator
Even thought I am not aiming to become a children's book illustrator, Kirsteen Harris Jone's lecture was very information for when dealing with a new brief. Showing us how to manage it, warning us about the future lack of sleep we will have & how unpredictable the pay can be. This proves my past point that I will have to grab whatever commissions I can just to pay the bills & get by whilst earning a better reputation as an artist.
Like the art director of Octopus publishing, Kirsteen was also from Glyndwr although originally she was studying fashion design, changing her course to illustration & then after many years of dabbling between odd jobs she settled with studying children illustration.
I'm lucky to know what I want as it's a step ahead, I won't need to take a step back into further education. However if anything she has learnt more life lessons because of her experimentation. This I suppose is what I also need to consider doing in my career path?
Like the art director of Octopus publishing, Kirsteen was also from Glyndwr although originally she was studying fashion design, changing her course to illustration & then after many years of dabbling between odd jobs she settled with studying children illustration.
I'm lucky to know what I want as it's a step ahead, I won't need to take a step back into further education. However if anything she has learnt more life lessons because of her experimentation. This I suppose is what I also need to consider doing in my career path?
From Student to Artist
“The fear of beginning is bigger than the actuality of doing”
This was the key quote from Michael Robinson's lecture that I took with me & found a little confidence within. Like all students, I am terrified of what is to come. Sure I have an idea where I would like to work, Manchester, but the thought of finishing university, working with clients where there is no room to mess up is very daunting.
However you have to learn to take risks. If it pays off, well brilliant! But if not you will still learn with what has happened & learn to move on & take the next step. Michael's risks eventually payed off & so will anyone else who is truly deserving.
You will have to take jobs that don't exactly fit your dream job. For example I may I have to design some typography or design a graphical poster. Sure it doesn't quite fit pure illustration but it's money in your pocket for the bills, it promotes you as an artist, looks good on your CV & makes you look very dependable, therefore a lot more employable.
I need to stop worrying about what is ahead & worry about what is going on now. What can I do to give myself a better chance as an illustrator!
This was the key quote from Michael Robinson's lecture that I took with me & found a little confidence within. Like all students, I am terrified of what is to come. Sure I have an idea where I would like to work, Manchester, but the thought of finishing university, working with clients where there is no room to mess up is very daunting.
However you have to learn to take risks. If it pays off, well brilliant! But if not you will still learn with what has happened & learn to move on & take the next step. Michael's risks eventually payed off & so will anyone else who is truly deserving.
You will have to take jobs that don't exactly fit your dream job. For example I may I have to design some typography or design a graphical poster. Sure it doesn't quite fit pure illustration but it's money in your pocket for the bills, it promotes you as an artist, looks good on your CV & makes you look very dependable, therefore a lot more employable.
I need to stop worrying about what is ahead & worry about what is going on now. What can I do to give myself a better chance as an illustrator!
Teaching as an option for students in the Creative Field
I've always been a little nervous about whether I can actually become an illustrator & actually achieve what I want, especially with my demotivating lack of confidence in everything I do. My Dad always not so confident in me I always insisted that if I couldn't become a freelancer I would become a teacher. I didn't think there was anything wrong with the idea of it. And to learn more about it I attended Ursula Bryne's lecture on the matter.
She informed us what actual qualifications we would need to teach, how many more years that would take studying. And how whether or not it's really worth it if you're original intention was not to teach.
Asking us questions such as "are you good with children?". In high school I did do a week of work experience working with a class of 60, 4 year olds. I hated it. Sure I gave them art lessons, but I became easily frustrated with them to the point where I said something very inappropriate to them & regretted it deeply. I think if I were to teach it would have to be at university level as my humour is too crude & dark. But let's face it, I don't have enough life experience to jump into a lecturer's seat. Even my illustration portray that I am not good with adapting to a younger audience.
In the end I learnt no, I can't teach not only because of my impatience with children, but because I don't want to allow myself the option of giving up on my dreams for a job I will hate right at the start of my game.
She informed us what actual qualifications we would need to teach, how many more years that would take studying. And how whether or not it's really worth it if you're original intention was not to teach.
Asking us questions such as "are you good with children?". In high school I did do a week of work experience working with a class of 60, 4 year olds. I hated it. Sure I gave them art lessons, but I became easily frustrated with them to the point where I said something very inappropriate to them & regretted it deeply. I think if I were to teach it would have to be at university level as my humour is too crude & dark. But let's face it, I don't have enough life experience to jump into a lecturer's seat. Even my illustration portray that I am not good with adapting to a younger audience.
In the end I learnt no, I can't teach not only because of my impatience with children, but because I don't want to allow myself the option of giving up on my dreams for a job I will hate right at the start of my game.
Design & Illustration in Illustrated Publishing
To be honest I had many doubts when attending this university, whenever I told my friends where I was learning they had never heard of the place. I thought that this must mean this university won't gain me any recognition when entering the world of illustration. However Yasia Williams Leedham is a wonderful example of not being the case. From Glyndwr university she went on to become the art director at the Octopus publishing house.
Her main point during this lecture was to promote yourself as much as possible. Sent out emails to as many companies as possible, advertise yourself, blog yourself. As you will never know where it might lead you. She herself was unaware of what an amazing opportunity was ahead of her, & she loves her job! Grab what you can when you can, if anything it will improve your CV.
Here is an example of one of the books from the publishing house. I can see a similar pattern within all the designs from here. Make the cover different from the norm. For example this ice cream boutique book is befitting of the rock and roll genre! The pink is actually neon which makes it really pop out compared to all of the normal cooking books in that section. You have to think "where will it be in the shop?". Cooking books would normally be photos of a delicious meal to make the audience hunger for the recipe, however the contrast of this book would certainly stand out a lot more!
Taking all these factors in to consideration when creating something to sell or to advertise is really important to create the impact that you desire!
Her main point during this lecture was to promote yourself as much as possible. Sent out emails to as many companies as possible, advertise yourself, blog yourself. As you will never know where it might lead you. She herself was unaware of what an amazing opportunity was ahead of her, & she loves her job! Grab what you can when you can, if anything it will improve your CV.
Here is an example of one of the books from the publishing house. I can see a similar pattern within all the designs from here. Make the cover different from the norm. For example this ice cream boutique book is befitting of the rock and roll genre! The pink is actually neon which makes it really pop out compared to all of the normal cooking books in that section. You have to think "where will it be in the shop?". Cooking books would normally be photos of a delicious meal to make the audience hunger for the recipe, however the contrast of this book would certainly stand out a lot more!
Taking all these factors in to consideration when creating something to sell or to advertise is really important to create the impact that you desire!
How not to be a Designer!
Robert Ball's lecture was a brilliant example of how important the concept is rather than the actual visual itself. Witty but simple, his designs created a strong impact on me & lead to me to find a great source of inspiration.
One of my favourite works was when he was trying to encourage the public to go to galleries without it just being a simple advertisement with a picture of a famous painting.
Even thought I wouldn't ever used solely typography in my work (it just isn't my style), this was a brilliant way of advertising the gallery. All of the words represented subjects that you would actually see within a piece at the gallery. This words are very impactful & are subjects you would usually associate with perhaps a TV drama. These words make the audience want to read the advert, therefore engaging in their interest more than the usual "oh look another boring painting" posters. design so simple but so well made was produced not only on posters but on t shirts & lanyards too!
He also printed & framed (expensively apparently!) famous pieces of art & placed them on random spots all around London! A brilliant way of allowing the audience to appreciate the art without actually attending the gallery. Surprisingly only a couple were stolen & none were graffitied. This shows the respect the public had & how much they enjoyed the experience.
No need to overcomplicate matters, ask for help if needed, many things have been learnt from this lecture, especially the strength of concepts!
One of my favourite works was when he was trying to encourage the public to go to galleries without it just being a simple advertisement with a picture of a famous painting.
Even thought I wouldn't ever used solely typography in my work (it just isn't my style), this was a brilliant way of advertising the gallery. All of the words represented subjects that you would actually see within a piece at the gallery. This words are very impactful & are subjects you would usually associate with perhaps a TV drama. These words make the audience want to read the advert, therefore engaging in their interest more than the usual "oh look another boring painting" posters. design so simple but so well made was produced not only on posters but on t shirts & lanyards too!
He also printed & framed (expensively apparently!) famous pieces of art & placed them on random spots all around London! A brilliant way of allowing the audience to appreciate the art without actually attending the gallery. Surprisingly only a couple were stolen & none were graffitied. This shows the respect the public had & how much they enjoyed the experience.
No need to overcomplicate matters, ask for help if needed, many things have been learnt from this lecture, especially the strength of concepts!
Painting Over the Cracks
This talk was by Professor Paul Haywood, lover of fine art & bringing communities closer by challenging their ways of thinking. Starting off he spoke about developing ourselves & exploring all of our interest as did he. I felt that this would be mentioned in all of the lectures that week!
First of all he spoke of Guns to Goods. I've heard of recycling materials to create artwork before however not guns! In rough communities (especially Moss side) in the UK, guns have killed lives disturbing peaceful homes for years. Of course the reputation of these communities will be forever tainted however we don't consider how the families of those who have been killed have been coping. They hate guns. They want rid of all the guns. And with the help of this company they can be! By smelting down the weapons they can be turned into ingots, these can be then used to create sculptures to bring more culture & positivity into the communities.
Another community project he worked on was Colouredge. This was creating colour schemes for communities for example Salford which was well known for it's use of red in architecture, so maybe for example Yorkshire would have lot's of cream (I noticed all the building there were cream haha!). I became really excited when he was trying to develop a nail polish that would change from clear to red in the sunlight! This would enable girls to wear polish in school & not get into trouble! But unfortunately it didn't work (damn!).
This was an awesome lecture. Professor Haywood was a very strong, confident individual which made him very engaging. Working of projects to help a community really shows how design influences all of our lives. Getting involved with such projects would improve your CV too!
First of all he spoke of Guns to Goods. I've heard of recycling materials to create artwork before however not guns! In rough communities (especially Moss side) in the UK, guns have killed lives disturbing peaceful homes for years. Of course the reputation of these communities will be forever tainted however we don't consider how the families of those who have been killed have been coping. They hate guns. They want rid of all the guns. And with the help of this company they can be! By smelting down the weapons they can be turned into ingots, these can be then used to create sculptures to bring more culture & positivity into the communities.
Another community project he worked on was Colouredge. This was creating colour schemes for communities for example Salford which was well known for it's use of red in architecture, so maybe for example Yorkshire would have lot's of cream (I noticed all the building there were cream haha!). I became really excited when he was trying to develop a nail polish that would change from clear to red in the sunlight! This would enable girls to wear polish in school & not get into trouble! But unfortunately it didn't work (damn!).
This was an awesome lecture. Professor Haywood was a very strong, confident individual which made him very engaging. Working of projects to help a community really shows how design influences all of our lives. Getting involved with such projects would improve your CV too!
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