To have a successful website as a practicing Illustrator, I feel it is important to include the following things:
- An eye catching home page, displaying some of their best work.
- Contact page that is easy to use and understand.
- Easily navigated site.
- Portfolio displaying a good variation of work.
- Not too wordy on the descriptions of work.
I have looked at two free lance Illustrators, practicing in Brighton.
Julia Zeen- http://www.juliazeen.co.uk/index.php
Steven Bannister- http://www.sbannister.co.uk/illustration.html
Julia Zeen's website lacks explanation of what each piece of her work is for, but does display a wide variety of work. It's also very easy to navigate around, which is a positive. Steven Bannister's site has an eye catching layout and contact details that are clear and on display all the time. However, because of the colour of some of his text, it isn't always easy to read.
From reviewing the websites of other Illustrators, I would ensure the text I use will be clear and legible, and would also ensure it was a flash website that didn't cram too many examples of work on to one page.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Task 3
I want to ensure my work in seen by potential clients and other designers who may be interested in collaborating. After looking at the Marketing Communication Mix I have decided that personal selling would be a good way to get my name out to potential clients. Networking in places owned by possible clients, filled with potential clients, on a face-to-face basis would give me a chance to talk to people about my work, as well as directing them to view my work online and offer my services.
Direct Marketing would also be a good idea when promoting myself. Sending mailers of my work, with my details attached, to pubs, bars, restaurants, bands etc. gives potential clients something physical to look at and hold, as well as on a screen. This also leads on to forms of advertising to promote my work. Putting up posters in creative environments such as Art Colleges my bring in interest through other creatives, and giving in flyers and business cards to places of potential work could also attract some interest. Although flyers and posters cannot be relied on singularly, as sometimes they may be lost among a sea of similar things. Starting groups on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter is another way of getting yourself recognized by a broader audience. I wouldn't use marketing methods such as Public Relations and Promotions, as these wont effectively get me relevant clients or the appropriate publicity.
I would make sure that I would use my website to sell my services directly to clients, and have a good and easy way to contact me through this. I may also look in to getting involved with an already existing collective, and use the already established name made by others as a starting point to become an established free lance Illustrator myself. I would also look in to getting my work shown in existing exhibitions, such as the Art Market in the Merrion Centre in Leeds whilst I live here, as well as exhibitions taking place in London and Brighton.
Direct Marketing would also be a good idea when promoting myself. Sending mailers of my work, with my details attached, to pubs, bars, restaurants, bands etc. gives potential clients something physical to look at and hold, as well as on a screen. This also leads on to forms of advertising to promote my work. Putting up posters in creative environments such as Art Colleges my bring in interest through other creatives, and giving in flyers and business cards to places of potential work could also attract some interest. Although flyers and posters cannot be relied on singularly, as sometimes they may be lost among a sea of similar things. Starting groups on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter is another way of getting yourself recognized by a broader audience. I wouldn't use marketing methods such as Public Relations and Promotions, as these wont effectively get me relevant clients or the appropriate publicity.
I would make sure that I would use my website to sell my services directly to clients, and have a good and easy way to contact me through this. I may also look in to getting involved with an already existing collective, and use the already established name made by others as a starting point to become an established free lance Illustrator myself. I would also look in to getting my work shown in existing exhibitions, such as the Art Market in the Merrion Centre in Leeds whilst I live here, as well as exhibitions taking place in London and Brighton.
Task 2
I will begin with working predominantly in the UK as it has the largest creative sector in the EU. I have to take the current recession in to consideration as this is an obvious contributing factor to why there is less available work around at the moment, although this may also work in my favor as business owners are more keen to promote and advertise themselves to create business.
The UK does however seem to be working hard at keeping the creative sector thriving. Jane Owen writes for The Guardian, "by doing things such as building a new £15m National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills is being established which, by working with employers and trainers across the UK, will create a new generation of technicians and help meet the predicted 30,000 jobs needed in the industry by 2017" (http://www.guardian.co.uk/letsgetcreative/creatives-crunch). There is also a possibility of the Conservative party coming in to power in the impending election, which could mean a change in the amount of funding available to creatives.
There could be other socially contributing factors to my success as a free lance Illustrator. Changes in law, such as the smoking ban, need to be considered. Many pubs and bars across the UK have seen a drop in business since the ban was introduced in 2007. These venues are part of the client group I would be seeking out, and therefore have less disposable income to spend on promotional material, as do the bands performing in them. Although pubs can now use the finding that the smoking ban is harming their trade to make a claim to lower the "rateable value" of their premises – cutting their bills every year, which could improve on this problem. When becoming a professional free lance Illustrator, I will have to get myself registered as an independent business and ensure I am paying the appropriate tax.
Technology wise, working with young entrepreneurs and people who should be familiar with the internet and current technologies when running a business, having my work available online and regular contact through email is important. I will also keep up-to-date with current versions of software, such as Adobe Illustrator and InDesign.
To understand who my clients will be I have done a segmentation analysis. Most of my clients will be 18-60 and be part of the socio economic group B. The business owners I will target will be based mainly in London and Brighton.
The UK does however seem to be working hard at keeping the creative sector thriving. Jane Owen writes for The Guardian, "by doing things such as building a new £15m National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills is being established which, by working with employers and trainers across the UK, will create a new generation of technicians and help meet the predicted 30,000 jobs needed in the industry by 2017" (http://www.guardian.co.uk/letsgetcreative/creatives-crunch). There is also a possibility of the Conservative party coming in to power in the impending election, which could mean a change in the amount of funding available to creatives.
There could be other socially contributing factors to my success as a free lance Illustrator. Changes in law, such as the smoking ban, need to be considered. Many pubs and bars across the UK have seen a drop in business since the ban was introduced in 2007. These venues are part of the client group I would be seeking out, and therefore have less disposable income to spend on promotional material, as do the bands performing in them. Although pubs can now use the finding that the smoking ban is harming their trade to make a claim to lower the "rateable value" of their premises – cutting their bills every year, which could improve on this problem. When becoming a professional free lance Illustrator, I will have to get myself registered as an independent business and ensure I am paying the appropriate tax.
Technology wise, working with young entrepreneurs and people who should be familiar with the internet and current technologies when running a business, having my work available online and regular contact through email is important. I will also keep up-to-date with current versions of software, such as Adobe Illustrator and InDesign.
To understand who my clients will be I have done a segmentation analysis. Most of my clients will be 18-60 and be part of the socio economic group B. The business owners I will target will be based mainly in London and Brighton.
Task 1
My business is to set myself up as a freelance Illustrator. I will work with clients to provide a variety of services such as creating and hand-printing posters, flyers and other promotional materials, as well as show casing my work in public exhibitions. The area of clientele I plan to target are bar/pub/restaurant owners and bands. I want to obtain a network of contacts in other areas of the creative industries, such as other Illustrators and Graphic Designers, and have a long list of varying clientele using my services.
My target market would be small to medium size businesses, with whom I would work with to promote their name and/or services and help them to advertise these to an audience.
My pricing strategy would be penetration pricing. This would work to my advantage as it would attract clients who are looking for a high quality service for a low price. Eventually I would plan to raise my prices when I have established myself more as a professional Illustrator and achieved more experience.
Whilst living as a student I will not rely on my paid work as a free lance Illustrator as a primary source of income, but will use my time to build up a client base and eventually graduate in doing this as a full-time job.
I will promote myself through various means. An online portfolio will be key to getting my work seen, as well as face-to-face contact in the environments I would expect to meet possible clients and collaborators e.g. bars, at creative events. I will promote the fact that I only use eco-friendly printing methods and will only work with ethical clients and companies, and use this to attract specific clients. I will also build up a separate client base that come under the niche of burlesque and rockabilly themed events.
After graduation, I would be based in Brighton as it has good access to London but costs a little less to live. It is also an environment full of up-and-coming events/bands/night-life, as well as being known for it's creativity.
My target market would be small to medium size businesses, with whom I would work with to promote their name and/or services and help them to advertise these to an audience.
My pricing strategy would be penetration pricing. This would work to my advantage as it would attract clients who are looking for a high quality service for a low price. Eventually I would plan to raise my prices when I have established myself more as a professional Illustrator and achieved more experience.
Whilst living as a student I will not rely on my paid work as a free lance Illustrator as a primary source of income, but will use my time to build up a client base and eventually graduate in doing this as a full-time job.
I will promote myself through various means. An online portfolio will be key to getting my work seen, as well as face-to-face contact in the environments I would expect to meet possible clients and collaborators e.g. bars, at creative events. I will promote the fact that I only use eco-friendly printing methods and will only work with ethical clients and companies, and use this to attract specific clients. I will also build up a separate client base that come under the niche of burlesque and rockabilly themed events.
After graduation, I would be based in Brighton as it has good access to London but costs a little less to live. It is also an environment full of up-and-coming events/bands/night-life, as well as being known for it's creativity.
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