Can an illustrator's style affect their rate of success as an illustrator ?
Example: Agencies & publishers saying that your work is not the "style" their looking for, especially if you really do have your own style e.g my influences being from comics, games, anime/manga etc.
This has happened to me a lot in the past, which is why I never really pursued a career in illustration for real.
Replies10
- I feel that there is always a trend in what illustration style is trending and changes each year. Agencies may want a more 'commercial' style which can be applied better to various products. But that doesn't mean you can't find ways of promoting your work as an independant through social media, which i find is quite popular for styles influenced by comics and manga.
- @Simeon Goa That's right I agree. Doing the self-initiated stuff, whether its personal or for portfolio, as long as I do it properly & commit to it fully, I am usually happy with it. Even if it doesn't equate to getting commissions or an actual job in the industry.This is why I only just threw this question out there now, because over the years I've tried to pursue this art thing properly on several occasions & sometimes feel perplexed on what I'm seeing out there right now & on this site .. & always hitting a roadblock. Not what I expected in terms of the "dream" I had about being an artist/illustrator way back in the early-2000s. Uni/art college wasn't that much of a blast either (even though I almost dropped out, but decided to finish & graduate).
- I hear you Josh. It is interesting to see the cyclical nature of things and I think that if you can see such patterns that's a good sign. Seeing these patterns in your own work can also be valuable as it will facilitate your ability to find those that could benefit from your skills.It is hard though. Tying the self understanding work to finding income isn't unique for illustrators. Actors, art directors, and authors the list goes on.For me the work of understanding, or developing, your style/voice is linked to self discovery making it a worthwhile endeavour even if it doesn't mean monetary stability. That can be a hard pill to swallow when you have to pay the bills so it is a tough balancing act.
- @Simeon Goa Thank you, yes I agree totally with finding your own voice & seeing where your work fits in .. something I've understood for quite a while - but has definitely wavered over the years due to me trying to find the worth in this ever-changing industry ..Jelly does seem familiar, I must've sent an email to this place a decade ago when I had just graduated. Now that I'm older, its funny seeing these things crop up again with a different view/life experience of the world.
- Researching what publications / brands could use your style (i.e. do they currently use styles that have a similar look/feel/material/colour use) will determine your success. For instance I will never work for Vogue (nothing they use has anything remotely like what I do). Where as 1843 Magazine (The Economist) I may have a chance at as the styles they use are more in the ballpark of what my work looks like. Does that help?
- @Josh Medrano Sorry I didn't mean for it to come off as dismissive, I am a bit of a link dumper because there is some good content out there in the podcast world. I am a bit of an info sponge. The interview I linked to is VERY good and features the perspective of a top art director Nicki Feild, at https://www.jellylondon.com/. My perspective is to find your own voice, find your own style(s), do what is integral to you as an artist (this is also the view of Nicki's) and then see where that might fit in "out there" in the world. This takes time, will Terry has a good segment on this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbHgykF7G8A
- @Simeon Goa Not sure if your intention was to just dump an audio podcast as your comment rather than give your own thought-out answer, but thanks anyway, I'll assume its worth listening to.
- @Tanel S I do agree in that adapting or modifying your style a bit to fit in with current trends is indeed worth it, just finding the worth in doing so seems to have always been an issue with me.I would say I'm definitely, & evidently, both.
- This: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/32-nicki-field-what-you-put-out-there-is-what-you-get-back/id1462785288?i=1000469949826
- Everything can affect your rate of success. Same time I feel that it has two ways.a) If you have unique style and you can market it well then you will be hired because of your work.b) If your style is flexible or you can adapt based on current trends. Knowing different techniques makes you really valuable asset for agencies and this means that you have a lot of work to do.Partially I feel that it is question do you feel yourself more as an artist or working bee.
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