I'm really thankful for this response, she put a lot of advice into this email, and makes a lot of fair points which I'll remember when I'm stuck. This has motivated me to use social media more actively, and it's nice to hear from someone who's had successful illustration jobs that they have similar problems to me when it comes to motivation and having some insecurities about work, we're all human after all. This woman is really cool, I want to be her friend...
Hi Abby,
Thank you for the kind words, they are much appreciated. Of course I'm always willing to help out if I can.
Well good luck with your final year!
What was your first illustration job, and how did you get it?
Well my first illustration job was actually with a family friend. It was very convenient and they happened to stumble across my work. Later down the line they asked me to create a few illustrations for them which they now have hanging up in their house. From there it was pretty much word of mouth. You would be surprised by how much people enjoy spreading the word about traditional artists! I think it's a very integral part of being an illustrator. Getting your work out there and sharing it with the world! You never know who is going to be interested in asking for a commission. My first serious fashion illustration job came from social media funnily enough. A fashion designer happened to come across my work on instagram. They then requested for me to create some fashion illustrations for London Fashion Week and have done now for about 3 years running. Keeping a good relationship with a client is extremely important because if they are happy with the work you have produced for them. They will spread the word to their own connections about you and that's how I get most of my freelance work.
Summing it up, social media and word of mouth is how I got my first job.
What is your favourite work and why?
This is always a very difficult question for me to answer because I usually don't like anything I produce straight away. Which I've heard many in the same industry as us have that very same problem. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so I will always find a part of a piece which I'm not so keen on. But one piece I recently did which I really like is-
I think it's one of my favourite pieces purely due to the composition and colour scheme.
How do you motivate yourself to do great work?
With a lot of coffee! I tend to be a little bit of a procrastinator so it can take me a good while to just sit down and sketch something out. Usually reading magazines, listening to music or searching the web helps inspire me. From there I can usually get an concept for an illustration. Although with client based work you don't really have the time for an art block. So usually when it comes to short deadlines I just crack down and try to get something done no matter if I don't like it or want to spend more time on it.
What's your least favourite work and why?
I think some of my older pieces aren't great. Just due to the lack of digital editing and lack of realism. Back then I didn't know how to use Adobe software so a lot of my designs weren't as clean or well edited as they are now. You will constantly develop you skills and style over time.
Do you have any tips for someone who is graduating and is very nervous about it?!
Relax! lol. Even though that sound's ridiculous try to take a breath and if you're stressed over something. Take a short break and come back to it. Rome wasn't built in a day! Tips... Well I think keeping a good presence on social media is very important! Create a website/ portfolio for your work if you haven't already. Internships? And most of all enjoy what you do! If you have a strong passion in illustration people will be able to see it. I'm sure you will do just fine :).
Good Luck!
Sorry for the delay, I hope what I've said can help you in some way.
Kind regards.
Jazmine Cant
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