Exhibitions

Exhibitions

Exhibitions are special events displaying artwork by one (or more than one) artist/s. These exhibitions can be very versatile and are used to showcase an artist's own work as well as representing the artist them self. They are often held in one or more rooms with displays and layouts designed and created by the artist.

Intellectual property rights and copyright

Intellectual property rights and copyright

'Intellectual property rights' help protect your work from others using it with out permission. Unfortunately, you cannot own an idea or concept which is why copyrighting your own work is very effective way of avoiding plagiarism of your own work. This way, you can legally own all artistic work and documentation made by you and all of the rights that come from them.

Programmes and creative industries

Programmes and creative industries

Some collages and universities have specific courses based on certain creative industries such as stage and prop design, costume construction and film making. This because certain creative industry jobs require eligible employees to have specific degrees in the industry that they wish to work for.

There are even some colleges that specialise in just one certain subjects, like graphic design and script writing for comic books and manga. 

The consumer

The consumer

A 'consumer' is some one who pays to buy or consume goods and service. Agencies, publishers and freelance artists often research what kinds of books and art styles appeal to the 'general consumer' so this way, their products will be bought.

Things like distinct art styles or certain story genres that appeal to certain audiences will be pushed by illustration companies because they know that the consumer audience will buy their products because it appeals to them.

Things such as teen fiction series and 'vintage' styled illustrations are very popular in todays consumer market.

Artist such as Jason Brooks and Margeurite Sauvage are known for their unique art styles.

Jason Brooks has been hired by music company, Hedkandi, to create illustrations for their cd covers,  headphone packaging and other promotional things.

(magazine illustration by Jason Brookes)

Marguerite Sauvage has been hired by many different companies and businesses such as Virgin Airlines, Playstation and Orange Network. 

(window display designed by Marguerite Sauvage)

Agencies

Agencies



Agencies that hire illustrators usually have distinct 'house styles' and can be aimed at a wide audience or a specific market.

Some are based in a certain country, such as the UK  and may also expand their market to Europe. Others have networks in different parts of the world.


Designers or illustrators who are aiming to noticed and hired by an agencies are expected to develop their own work process and their unique artistic style.


Agencies such as eyecandy.co.uk and JellyLondon have hired a wide range of illustrators with differentiating art styles to work for them. They both use artists that work digitally and/or traditionally with art styles that can be used for things like promotional work and advertisements.

Comic book publishing agencies are also currently growing rapidly. Companies such as Dark Horse, VIZ media and Icon comics are becoming just as popular as the most well known comic book companies like Marvel and DC comics. This growing popularity could be down to the movie adaptions of certain comic book stories that are owned by comic book companies.

Types of publishing

General or consumer books


'General market' book publishers produce mass-market paperback books and account for 60% of the book industry's sales in the UK. General consumer publishing produces the most widely known titles, best selling fiction and non-fiction and are prominently displayed in retail outlets.


Children's book publishing

One of the biggest sector in consumer book publishing. Since 2009, children's book publishing has began to grow in popularity and continues to expand. Well-known children's book publishers include Ladybird books, HarperColins and Bloomsbury.


Journals, educational, academic, reference, scientific, technical, professional and medical publishing

In these areas, publishers are far more likely to be involved in initiating a book, journal or series, so opportunities can arise for graduates in specialised subjects.


Newspapers, editorial, periodical and magazines

In house as well as commissioned work, high turnover of images needed, tight deadlines, solid in- take of graduates.

Industry Structures

Industry structures

Design houses

Illustrators who are hired by Design Houses are employed to create illustrations 'within the house's style'. The illustrator doesn't 'own the rights' to their finished image and are paid by the design house in work wages.

Freelance

Freelance artists work for themselves and paid in commission by certain companies or interested parties. They use online networks such as facebook, twitter, flickr, instagram, tumblr, google+ ect. to showcase and advertise their work.

Network

Networks are groups of artists that work together and often collaborate together and support each other to make their own working group by advertising their network group through websites.

Jack Teagle is a freelance illustrator that showcases and advertises his own artwork through his tumblr blog (http://jackteagle.tumblr.com/) and his own official website. (http://www.jackteagle.co.uk/)

(This illustration by Jack Teagle was created for Phillip Dearest's zine 'Sewer side cult')