Visit with Serpent's Tail Book Publishers

I was so pleased to have the opportunity to visit Serpent's Tail as the spaces were limited. We met Niamh Murray who is the Marketing Director. Niamh spoke about the process of book publishing, from selecting an illustrator, to finalising the cover and what decisions have to be made. We discussed how much an illustrator would expect to get paid for designing a book cover (around £500), and that you would expect to get paid even more if you handled the typography as well (an additional £250). Niamh displayed a selection of books on the table and they all looked lovely, not main-stream which I really liked. Niamh explained that the finishing details such as embossing are decided by herself and the team, not the illustrator. We were also told that the book titles had to be legible when displayed as thumbnails on Amazon, as this is where many books are sold and it needs to be clear and eye-catching. We were all handed a Jacket/Cover Design Brief which was very useful as we may be presented with this one day soon..hopefully!

We were all very fortunate to get a few moments with the Art Director Peter Dyer, and I value his feedback as he was kind about my work. Peter asked me why I have shadows in my work and perhaps he'd like my cut-outs arranged as a flat collage, which is easily achieved. Maybe I should show the elements flat so it's the same picture just with a different background and without the shadows, this will show it's versatility. I am very interested in the three dimensional aspect though and would like to venture into designing shop windows and events so I would definitely still keep my present works in my portfolio. Something to consider is having two portfolios; one for flat collage and one for the more three dimensional work. Both Niamh and Peter suggested contacting book publishers with a design of an existing book cover to show what you can do, they said a series works well for showing continuity within your work. Hopefully after graduating I will have the time to do this but right now I am just too busy! It's a great piece of advice though and worth baring in mind.

Visit with Tatler Magazine

Just at the back of Oxford Street I went to meet Lee Pears at Tatler. I spent a short time with Lee discussing my work and the potential it could have for the magazine. Lee suggested my three dimensional sets could work well for a jewellery shoot and that he could imagine the jewellery being hung and drapped over my cut outs. If this were to happen a professional photographer would take the shots which is a huge relief! Lee was very nice and positive towards me and asked me to forward my PDF Portfolio so he can show the other Art Director.

 Lee suggested contacting Bride magazine and said that my intricate cut outs could look nice as wedding dresses, he said it would be good if I made an image appropriate for their magazine before contacting them, this way they could see how they could use me. Lee also suggested I take a look in Libery, a shop close to where I had the appointment, he suggested my work could suit greetings cards but the more up market ones. I went and had a look and there really was some beautiful cards and wrapping papers in there. I will bare in mind the avenues that have been suggested to me and research these, and then the next stage is to arrange more meetings with relevant contacts.

Visit to You & Your Wedding Magazine

I was so excited to get a little time slot with You & Your Wedding! I approached them as I felt my work was appropriate and they may appreciate the delicacy and intricacy of it. My creations are quite feminine and I love to add a touch of sparkle, it's what every woman needs! 

I saw Kate Hornby (Art Director) and spent about 15 minutes showing her my work and talking about how it could fit in with their magazine. Kate was lovely and gave me such positive feedback, it really was very reassuring. I always take a box along to my portfolio visits in which I keep my hand cut pieces, it nice to show potential clients something tactile and also so they can see the detail close up, like my tiny stitched on beads. Kate was particularly interested in my teapot and tea cups and said that it could fit in really well as there seems to be a trend for antique/shabby chic tea sets for weddings at the moment. I was delighted that Kate liked my work and said that she would be in touch with me as they have their June/July issue approaching! It would be absolutely amazing to work with them, I shall keep my fingers (and toes) crossed! 

Visit to NoBrow

My second appointment was a group meeting at Nobrow in the trendy Shoreditch area of London. They publish the most amazing books and give new artists a platform. They have a shop full of a variety of beautiful books, with plenty of different styles. We were shown around the studio and taken downstairs where they do printmaking (as they sometimes hand make books). There was a sort of warehouse/storage section where they kept books as they explained that they sell a lot online. It would of been nice to show our portfolio's but unfortunately we didn't have the opportunity. Here's a link to their website http://www.nobrow.net/ check them out!

Visit to DDB Advertising Agency

Literally as soon as I arrived at Euston I had to dash to my first meeting with DDB Advertising Agency. Daniel Moorey was the Art Buyer and he had arranged a presentation for our group which was very informative. Daniel spoke to us about how he sources illustrators from books, and how he attends D&AD to see up and coming illustrators. It seemed that photography played a huge part at DDB however they do use illustrators and they do get a lot of illustrators contacting them..competition is fierce! Daniel gave us advice on how to email our work professionally to people in industry, he said to keep the writing minimal and to make sure any emails are not too busy or fussy as they just don't have the time to read them. We were advised to attach a PDF Portfolio accompanied by links to our website and blog. 

Daniel talked about working with illustrators and said to be open to change, and not to be awkward! Daniel gave advice about questions we should ask the client such as:

• Is the job going to run? i.e. if it's going to run over the world you should expect to get paid a lot more.
• How long do I have?
• Usages

Other advice he gave was:

• Do not start the job until you have the go ahead. Daniel suggested asking for confirmation of this so they can't change their mind. Otherwise you could end up spending time doing work and then if the client goes with someone else you have wasted your time and this costs you money.
• Agree costs first before starting the job.
• Send roughs and colour palette to client. This way any changes can be made earlier ensuring the client will end up with what they want.

Unfortunately Daniel didn't have time to view our portfolio's which was a shame but the meeting and his advice was useful. 

Visit to Lord Whitney

Recently I have been arranging portfolio visits with artists that I love to show my work and see what they think! Also to ask questions about industry and hopefully find a way forward instead of just fumbling around in the dark! I'm realising how important making connections is and how it can lead onto things.

I was so excited to have a chat with Lord Whitney on Friday. I met the girls in Leeds at a studio. I was welcomed by Bek and Amy and they took me into the 'Not So Bored Room' which they had designed. I loved it in there, it was not what I expected at all (after being greeted in a warehouse type space). There was jars and bits to look at, and lots of wood! I think I liked it because it relates to this idea I have about wanting people to experience or interact with my work, rather than just looking at a photograph of my set in a flat form. I was welcomed in and they kindly made me a cup of tea while they looked over my portfolio.


Both Bek and Amy were very encouraging about my work, and I feel I came away with some great advice with regards to self promotion (business cards), and enhancing my portfolio. I explained problems I face with executing my work with regards to photography, and that I worry about not having access to the photographic studio once I leave uni, the girls said they had same problem and gave me tips on how to accomplish things at home (this includes a white sheet for the back-drop, lamps and a digital camera)! They were very reassuring and encouraging, I really did find talking to them very helpful and inspiring. 


After the meeting I felt very happy with their comments about my work, and really inspired to crack on with things. I got quite a few ideas from things we spoke about and I am very excited to create now. Thanks Bek and Amy! 

PeepShow Collective contact

This week I emailed PeepShow collective to try and arrange a portfolio visit, as I'd love their advice and to see how they work in studio. Unfortunately they advised me that they used to see students but they no longer take part in portfolio viewings, which is a shame. I've been a fan of these guys for ages!

http://www.peepshow.org.uk/

Berlin...Olaf Hajek

Sorry for my absence!!! I have been so busy doing many things over the past couple of months.. which i will update you about later!

I recently visited Berlin which was so exciting! Really, I had the absolute time of my life!

Whilst I was there I was lucky to have the opportunity of meeting the very talented illustrator Olaf Hajek at his studio. He is one of the world's most successful illustrators, so meeting him was a huge inspiration to me. He was great at giving advice and so friendly!!

Olaf Hajek is a painter, his paintings are amazing, they are so colourful and detailed. There is magical feel about them, they are dreamy. Olaf has a broad range of clients; his work has been displayed in publications such as The New York Times, and even on postage stamps. I looked around his studio and just wished it was mine!!! 

I came away from his studio feeling totally refreshed and inspired, it made me think that anything can be achieved if you try hard enough. This was definitely the highlight of my visit to Berlin.

Association of Illustrators: Business Masterclass with Jenny Bowers and Garry Parsons.

Last night I rushed down to London after uni to attend a Business Masterclass featuring Jenny Bowers and Garry Parsons. They are both very successful illustrators who I have admired from a far for quite a while! 

The main purpose of the Masterclass was to get advice and tips on how to find work and progress as an illustrator. Advice was given about working freelance and also in a group. I came away with a better understanding of how industry works. I found it very helpful and inspiring! 

Jenny Bowers

Jenny Bowers and myself.

Jenny Bowers is part of 'Peep Show Collective' who do some very cool design work, including animations. They are a group of 10 illustrators working together but all contributing their own style. Here is some of Jenny Bowers work.

Jenny's works are fun and playful, they have a childlike innocence to them.

Garry Parsons

Garry Parsons and myself.

Garry Parsons is a freelance illustrator (and a very funny guy)!! He does editorial work (newspaper's and magazine's), and also children's books. Garry has two very different syles of work, he adapts to suit the client.