Questions for the Professional Freelancer/Artist

[Dragonflychaser]

I'm researching the current concept art industry/market for my Illustration class, and I thought to myself, what better way to reach a multitude of concept artists than conceptart.org?

I have a list of questions I've been e-mailing some of today's concept artists, but I want to broaden my target to all of you guys. Well, not /all/ of you. Really, these questions are directed at those who have professional experience. However, if you don't have professional experience yet but have some information to share on the subject, by all means enlighten me!

Hopefully this is in the right forum. I don't feel it's appropriate enough for the Employment forums, as it doesn't concern actual job offers and the Employment Discussion forum seems..... dead.



If you do have professional experience and don't mind, please take a moment to answer my questions:


1. Should I have a very focused portfolio with one or two styles or should I have a wide variety of styles and techniques?


2. How many images should I have in my portfolio?


3. What form should I have my portfolio in... color copies, original work, digital CD or DVD? If I use color copies and small originals should they be in plastic sleeves or mounted on board?


4. How did you make a living when you first started out? Did you get a full-time job first and freelance on the side? Did you start by freelancing full-time?



5. How did you market yourself when you started out? Did you use a purchased mailing list, make your own mailing list? Send postcards or CDs? Did you direct people to a website? Did you go around personally and show your original work or mail samples out?



6. Do you currently do graphic design, teach, or something else to supplement your illustration income?



7. Did you go to graduate school? Would you recommend going to a graduate school?



Thanks guys!

[Rabid]

The more variety the better. However if you are aiming for a specific interest it is always good to have a secondary demo showcasing your best in one or two mediums.


As many as you can or believe may be of interest. Make sure to always put your best first though. (Some companies judge buy your last/worst piece , however in my company this isn't recommended, but always be really brutal with your work. )

The best case is through a website or DVD demo reel in my opinion. I prefer a demo reel in DVD format overall. I turn the audio off (since this isn't of primary concern) but a visual walkthrough is always best. If it is in person, plastic sleeves are best since you may want to exchange certain pieces for others through your career but it still keeps them protected and clean.

Luckily I got a full time art job off the bat. This is always easier. However, I never went home and called it quits or party time. I kept at it with freelance work.

Website, friends, and business cards....strongest in my opinion for making a good steady freelanceing position to start.

Along with being an Art Director, I suppliment my extra cash by freelancing and teaching local students. I also do live personal work at music venues and mentor when I can for local highschool students that may be serious about progressing into art as a profession.

If time grants in the next 2 or 3 years I will be attending graduate school. Nothing outweighs your portfolio by a long shot but if a teaching position is in your future a graduate degree can only help.

Hope this helps....

Rabid

[Elwell]

1. Should I have a very focused portfolio with one or two styles or should I have a wide variety of styles and techniques?

It depends on whether you are talking a freelance or staff position portfolio. For freelancing, focus and consistency are very important: the client wants to have a good idea of what they are going to be getting. For a staff position, showing that you can handle whatever kind of work might be thrown at you can be an advantage.


2. How many images should I have in my portfolio?

Probably less than you think. A good AD is going to be able to tell from just a few pieces whether they might use you or not. Say, one to two dozen, give or take. And always be ruthless when editing your book. If you only have seven great pieces, then just show them, rather than padding things out to reach some arbitrary number.

3. What form should I have my portfolio in... color copies, original work, digital CD or DVD? If I use color copies and small originals should they be in plastic sleeves or mounted on board?

Never original work (too risky). Good quality copies in a binder is fine. Loose boards can be damaged or misplaced, and it's harder to control the order of viewing. No to CDs, they're inconvenient (most ADs won't bother to load and look at them). Actually showing a hardcopy portfolio face-to-face is getting rarer and rarer, you should have one for when you get the opportunity, but a good website is more important these days.

4. How did you make a living when you first started out? Did you get a full-time job first and freelance on the side? Did you start by freelancing full-time?

I started freelancing straight out of school, but I was very lucky. I had no debts, minimal expenses, and it was a different world back then.


5. How did you market yourself when you started out? Did you use a purchased mailing list, make your own mailing list? Send postcards or CDs? Did you direct people to a website? Did you go around personally and show your original work or mail samples out?

All of the above (except for the CDs/website, which didn't exist). The school I went to sends out a promotional book of graduating seniors' work every year, so my first jobs came from that.


6. Do you currently do graphic design, teach, or something else to supplement your illustration income?

I teach, but it's a minor part of my income.


7. Did you go to graduate school? Would you recommend going to a graduate school?

I did not. I'd recommend it only if you feel there are major holes in your undergrad education, or if there's some professional necessity (teaching certification etc).

[Chris Bennett]

Tristan, you have answered some pressing questions of my own. I figured I had got the answers right but hearing them confimed by you makes me rest easy. I have almost got my website together for going online regarding illustration work. Would it be a pain in the ass if I emailed some pages to you to give them the 'once over'?
Cheers,
Chris.

[Elwell]

For an AD's view on portfolios (specifically F/SF covers), check out Irene Gallo's post here (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=66458).

[Chris Bennett]

Thanks Tristan, the link contains all I need to know. Time to get out there I guess.

[Dragonflychaser]

Thanks for the responses, guys!

Thanks for sharing that link, too. I need to research portfolios from the clients' perspective as well, so that thread is golden to me.