Finding Art Directors

[yousir]

I've been doing freelance illustration in a somewhat haphazard way for almost two years now, and I'm trying to get more organized about it. I'm wondering if someone can help me with some tips on locating art directors. I'm thinking of trying to find as many ADs as I can to write to, and assuming I won't be hearing back but trying anyway. How would that work I wonder? Do ADs work with projects of particular styles, and go to artists they know in those styles? Do they work within particular industries? What should I send them at first? I don't really know how the whole AD thing works at all, honestly.
I may be mistaken in the basic premise that locating and contacting art directors is a good way of hunting gigs, if this is the case please enlighten me. If not, I'd like to know where they can be found and what they're about.

Anything will help here.

[AKHUA]

Hello...I am no longer an Art Director but was 2 years ago. I did receive a pile of portfolios and demo reels every week...sometimes people were sneaky enough to get my actual phone number while I was working....I've been on both sides of the fence as I am now seeking work in 3D......

About: "what they're about"...usually the agenda and style of a project is decided in a meeting, there's a deadline, a target audience, and the budget.....( art direction is management ).so to put it in perspective, for the art director it's like searching for a place to eat with little time and little money. If things can be done inhouse that's best.....if not find someone who's good that's really close by that's within budget.....a lot of really good work gets passed over because of a projects' time constraints.....often an art director is frustrated because he has seen some work that he would like to use but hasn't had the appropriate opportunity to use it......best bet just send to as many places as you can and if you can get to know some art directors with regular follow-ups that would be best. Try not to send the same stuff in twice though.

hope this helps

Mitch
www.akhuamedia.com

also in Canada

[Sonnenkind]

That sounds like a bit of a misconception, yousir.

What you seem to be looking for is an agent, someone who forwards work to you.

Art Directors are usually veteran Artists, working as full time employees at a company, leading the Art department of a specific project.
They can be found in almost any business that has to do with art and requires large teams, most prominently movies, TV and games.

[Elwell]

1. Find company you are interested in working for. (Google, Bookstore, Newsstand, industry directory, etc.)
2. Find and call main phone #.
3. Ask for the art department.
4. When transferred, say, "hi, I'm an illustrator and I'm interested in showing you my work. How would I go about that?"
5. Write down everything. Make sure you get names and titles of contacts. Make sure you get correct spellings.
6. Repeat 500-1000 times.

[DavePalumbo]

There's also a book that comes out every year called the Artists and Graphic Designers Market that is just listings of 1000's of magazines, publishers, greeting card companies, etc. with info on what they look for, who to send your portfolio to, sometimes what they pay, and other related stuff

[yousir]

Thanks everybody, I can tell this is all going to be helpful.

Mitch, particularly glad to hear from a former AD. Knowing a little more about what it is they do, I guess ADs aren't exactly who I'm looking for. I suppose it's just who ever I can get at whichever company.

As for agents, I've thought about that too. Do they charge simply by percentage of work they get you, or is there a fee to retain their services?

Thanks Tristan, that's exactly what I'll do.

I'll look for that Dave, do you know how much it sells for?

[MattyRyan]

This might help you. It is an annual listing of art directors, galleries, and such in various fields and what they are looking for in submissions. A useful little tool.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1582973962/sr=1-1/qid=1138331516/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-7115787-0687964?%5Fencoding=UTF8

[Elwell]

Everyone should also have a copy of The Business of Illustration (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0823005453) by Steven Heller and Teresa Fernandes. A lot has changed in the eleven years since it came out, but it's still the best overall guide to the field.

[DavePalumbo]

This might help you. It is an annual listing of art directors, galleries, and such in various fields and what they are looking for in submissions. A useful little tool.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/158...Fencoding=UTF8

that be the one. I'd say you can get a copy for, oh, $17 or so...

[yousir]

Thanks, I'm going to have to invest in one or both of those. Once I get some work again, that is....

[yousir]

I wonder, do Agents normally charge as a percentage of work they get for you? Is there usually a fee for their time other than that?

[MattyRyan]

It depends on the agent and the deal you strike with the agent. But usually that is how it works.

[Elwell]

Illustration agents are usually referred to as artist's representatives, or reps. Reps typically get a 25% comission on work that they bring in. Promotional expenses (mailers, directory ads, web fees) are typically split by the same percentage (25% rep, 75% artist).

[Qitsune]

I eventually want to compile a list a illustrator guilds and associations for this section, but until then here's the list compiled by the aoi:http://www.theaoi.com/Mambo/index.php?option=com_weblinks&Itemid=4&catid=41

They also have articles about agents:
http://www.theaoi.com/Mambo/index.php?option=content&task=category&sectionid=2&id=12&Itemid=26