Card Publishers - Emails

I sent an email like this out to a few publishers, hoping to get work experience. I did this because when I was on the Greetings Card Association website, they talked about getting internships/ work experience, and suggested looking at lists of their members in the section dedicated to those offering internships. In hindsight, I think I went on 'looking for artists' which probably means they want people to send in work, but oh well. The email went like this:

Hi (person's name),

 I am an illustration student, currently studying at Leeds College of Art, this is my final year.

I love to make highly detailed imagery that catches the eye, in a particularly fun, cute and current style. I am always looking for ways to bring a contemporary flair to my portfolio.

 I'd be thrilled at the chance to build upon my passion for design by getting to put my professional image making skills to work. I am fluent in the use of Adobe CC programmes such as photoshop, illustrator and InDesign.

   The possibility of working for YTR Design would be an absolute dream for me, as I am continually striving to push myself to the limits with my artistic capabilities. I am keen to learn as much as possible about the demands and responsibilities that one may face in this role. I love to be challenged, and would be delighted to get into a working environment where I can do everything and anything I can to help out, and bring a positive energy to the studio.

   If you have any placements or even just good advice, I'd be so grateful for a response!

I hope to hear from you soon,

Abby Glover

I sent this as well as my portfolio and CV to: 

http://www.bellybuttondesigns.com/

http://www.paperrose.co.uk/

http://www.splimple.com/previewpage.html

http://www.words-n-wishes.co.uk/

http://www.ytrdesign.com/

These were all those on the list which are either in Yorkshire, or are near to where my parents live in the West Midlands.

I have two replies but it's only been 2 days so perhaps I might get more. 

My first reply was from YTR designs: 

"Hi Abbey,

Thank you for your email and brochure, your design work is beautiful but right now we are not looking for external design work but we do use freelance designers and will keep your details on file and we will be in touch when we are looking to commission designs.

Kind regards
Yasmin"

At least she says my design work is beautiful... 

The next one was from Splimple, with a little bit more advice: 

"Abby – thanks for your email.  We’re not able to assist you but I thought I’d give you a brief insight into how this industry tends to work.  Generally would-be artists create ideas for cards and send them to loads of publishers in the hope that something sticks, somewhere.  It’s worth me pointing out that we, like most publishers, receive perhaps one such art submission every day of the year.  The standard varies enormously and the competition is fierce – and it tends to be therefore only the most original, highest quality concepts that get a second glance (I can tell you the finish on some submissions is very high indeed … and some is shockingly bad!).  Few publishers keep Artists on their books to consult for on-going work.

Some publishers focus more on the technical quality of the artwork, others on the originality of the idea.  You have to assume that the publisher you are submitting to has no imagination – so they will only judge you on what you show them … they will not think ‘nice idea, might have potential, with a bit of tweaking’: so it’s either right for them or it’s wrong. 

Few if any publishers buy concepts.  Creative publishers (like us) generally come up with their own ideas then look for artists to deliver them; non-creative publishers look for finished artwork that they can license without making any amendments.

If you want to test out the market, I’d encourage you to create and self-publish a few designs, as that’s the quickest and frankest way of receiving constructive feedback – and if you come up with something that sells, you’ve a good story to offer a prospective publisher.

I hope this helps you Abby, and I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours.

Stuart"

It was handy to get some advice from a publisher, because I really don't know much about the industry. It's vauable to get another point of view.