Unsolicited Advice for Anyone Thinking of Turning Illustration Into a Career
First of all, illustration’s not for everyone, and that’s ok. It can be a difficult, unstable career, and requires passion and commitment. Be aware that drawing will lose some of its fun when you turn it into work, and you might find you prefer drawing as a hobby instead.
There are very few full-time illustration jobs to be had, if you’re lucky. Most illustrators work freelance, often with a secondary (or tertiary) source of income. Don’t expect to make a living off of illustration alone, especially when you get started.
Learn the basics about price negotiation, usage rights, contracts, invoicing, and taxes. Being a freelance illustrator means you’re also running a business.
Build a portfolio! Your portfolio is everything. Get a professional-looking website and fill it with quality, not quantity. Find your niche, or let the niche find you. Think about what sets you apart.
The benefit of developing a consistent style is that clients will know what to expect when they hire you. If you don’t want to be tied down, think about developing multiple distinct styles.
Pay attention to what other illustrators are creating, but don’t try to copy what’s popular. Instead of comparing your work to other people, compare your new work to your old work, and strive for personal growth.
Keep track of your hours, and learn how to work fast. If it takes you 100 hours to complete an illustration, it will be extremely difficult to find jobs that compensate you for your time.
Everyone will tell you DON’T WORK FOR FREE (or cheap). Here’s why. Firstly, we illustrators rely on each other to keep a certain standard of pricing in the industry. Undervaluing your work undervalues everyone’s work.
But also, you know what you could do instead of working for someone else for free? Working for yourself for free! Creating self-generated work will always get you more “exposure” and lead to more work down the road then whatever your cheapskate client promises.
When creating self-generated work, always make art that speaks to you and your interests, not art you think others want to see. If you’re passionate about your work, that will come through.
Design competitions are mostly a waste of money. Don’t give discounts to nonprofits unless you really want to. Don’t give discounts to friends and family unless you really want to.
There’s no magic bullet to finding jobs. Be active on social media, apply for any listings you see, send cold emails, give business cards to your neighbors. The longer you’re able to stay in the game, the easier it will become to find regular work.
Follower count tells you nothing about career success, and it shouldn’t be your goal. You can’t make a living off of $20 commissions.
Be brave, hustle, act professionally, be kind to others, be kind to yourself. Practice and improve your craft, work hard, take breaks, value your time. Stick with it.
Finally, ask your fellow illustrators for advice! We’re a community, and most of us are very happy to take a moment to help out our up-and-coming colleagues.