A year and a half ago, I started teaching studio illustration. I decided to include a book component in which my students read assigned texts and each week, we have Tuesday Thinkeries, where we discuss what we’ve read. The conversations are broad and generally veer from the book, but always revolve around creative practice. This week was my class’ first discussion of the semester and I’ve decided to post highlights here.

Our book: Fundamentals of Illustration by Lawrence Zeegan
Section: Chapter One

The book is an overview of the field of illustration though much of the text applies to design and freelancers in general. It’s not without flaws, but it certainly gets the students thinking. As we began talking, I asked the students to tell me what they wanted to know, as young creatives entering the field. Here’s what they said:

1. What are the different industries illustration exists within?
2. How do we price our work?
3. Technical advice on the craft.
4. How do we market our portfolios?
5. What happens when we graduate?
6. What do we keep in our portfolios? What do we get rid of?
7. Portfolio tips.
8. What is the best location for illustrators?
9. How can illustration apply to other fields?
10. Should we build a website? How?

For the most part, these questions are career-focused. While totally understandable, this made me a little sad. I’ve been thinking lately of the time before we know something. Like, the period when we’re still figuring something out: how to bill a client, how to write a contract, how to post a blog. It’s kind of beautiful, the figuring it out part. Of course, there’s always more to learn (and I learn something new with every project); but the focus in undergrad, I believe, should be the development of one’s craft; of one’s ability to create awesome concepts; the full understanding of the why, as in: why are we doing this?

I almost can’t answer these questions because every creative field should evolve differently for every person. My suggestion to all emerging creatives is to find designers and illustrators (and writers, artists, visionaries) whose work connects with you. Figure out where and how they publish work (design firms, through agents, which journals/magazines/newspapers, websites). Then work to get your portfolio up to par.

Be smart. Stop caring about what anyone thinks. Do the thing you want to do exactly, exactly how you want to do it. Read. Think. Make. Make your work work.

Anyway, there is a Resources page conveniently on my site, located a click away (see also Navigation Menu). I’ll add more information to it in the next few days that may or may not help. Hopefully it will.