So you want to be an illustrator? 12 helpful tips — Lisa Maltby

My top tips for becoming an illustrator:

1. Don’t rush

Sure, there are those annoying sods who get a commission from Nike two days after their graduation, but the rest of us have to ride the waves of crushing rejection and endless creative soul searching. I’ve worked in some terrible jobs, and some good ones. I worked in commercial design roles for over ten years before I went solo. I tried to become an illustrator straight after graduating, yet gave up a year later after wondering how I would afford a new toothbrush (I’m not kidding). And that’s okay - it just wasn’t the right time for me (and little did I know then that other jobs would do me way bigger favours in developing my character and skills). I had no contacts and I had no idea how long it would take to build the little reputation I have. Most people do not reply to you or give you any feedback which can feel a little soul destroying. Don’t lose heart though, some clients may not reply to your initial contact yet may get back to you with work a lot later.

2. Work hard

A career in illustration rarely lands on your lap just because you’re good at drawing. I had been developing a personal portfolio of work for three years before I went solo. I spent evenings working on personal work, I sent off books I’d written and illustrated to publishers and I took part in exhibitions. In all honesty, none of it ‘took off’ in the way I wanted but I started to learn which work was popular and which was/wasn’t working. The creative industry can sometimes be incredibly elitist: those who can afford to do work placements, courses, enter competitions, or are born into a family with a good network are often able to get their work in front of a wider audience. But unless you’re rolling in a disposable income, and unless your dad works for a world renowned publisher, you’re going to have to work a lot of overtime to develop your work and research potential clients.

3. Don’t quit your day job (just yet)

There is a sometimes a sort of snobbery about needing a ‘day job’ for financial security, but as soon as illustration becomes your main income it creates a huge pressure to make a living out of something you once had freedom with. 'But you quit your day job Lisa, what are you on about?!!' Ok, so there are times where you may feel ready to quit your job (you can read that blog post here), but bear in mind that I worked for over ten years as an employed designer before I did so. Although I am making a full time living as an illustrator, I also take on projects that are quite varied and I may not show all of them publicly. I have also considered taking on other work - either during quiet periods, to learn new skills or just to keep me sane (because seriously, that Rocky theme tune does my head in after a while). If I did take on other work would that discredit any previous commissions or make my portfolio less valid? Of course not. Besides, day jobs are a great inspiration for personal work. A lot of extremely talented creative professionals I know also work other jobs too.

How to Become a Freelance Illustrator: 6 Tips to Get You Started

Going freelance is the talk of the town in 2021, but it’s much easier said than done. For a lot of artists, working as a freelance illustrator offers the creative freedom they so desire. At the same time, it comes with a range of responsibilities that can make aspiring independent artists hesitate.

If you’re wondering how to become a freelance illustrator, we’re here to help you get started on the right foot. Going freelance is no easy feat, but bear these tips in mind, and you'll be well on your way to success.

1. Research the scope of the job

As with any profession, the first step toward success is understanding what the job entails.

While illustration sounds pretty straightforward, you should still be aware of the types of jobs this industry offers. According to the latest annual survey by Ben the Illustrator, the most popular kinds of illustrating projects, in order, are:

Publishing and editorial projects

Private commissions and exhibited artworks

Advertising materials

Product design

Animation and motion graphic projects

Unless you have a strong reputation in a niche market, you probably will find yourself handling a combo of tasks (e.g. running an Etsy shop while also accepting commissions). This is not out of the ordinary if you’re a freelancer — since you won’t necessarily have constant work in any given segment, one source of income can cover for another if need be.

You’ll often work with both physical and digital materials.

Can you be an illustrator without qualifications?

The simple answer is: yes! You can become a freelance illustrator without an illustration degree. A lot of artists in the industry aren’t illustration graduates, and most clients will judge you by the quality of the work in your portfolio — not by the degree or diploma that you might or might not have on paper.

Save up before freelancing full-time!

We’ve already mentioned that freelance jobs can be sporadic at the best of times, and dried up at the worst. What you should also know is that the pay can really vary. There are projects that can bring in $1,000-$2,000 — and then there are $10-$20 projects. Typically, the pay will depend on a number of factors, including:

The intended purpose of the illustration (advertising gigs tend to make more),

Whether you’re selling the copyright or licensing the artwork,

Your experience level, and

How long it would take for you to complete it (which varies with each artist).

When you’re starting out as a full-time freelance illustrator, you generally won’t have the luxury of a substantial regular income. This is why you should have savings to last you at least six months without additional earnings. If you’re not planning to go into freelancing full-time, prepare manage your time well and juggle another day job on top of your illustration gigs on the side.

Top tip: keep yourself organized with a freelance time tracker app!

2. Build a strong portfolio

Now that you’ve got an overview of the freelance illustration trade, let’s get down to business and curate a notable portfolio.

Let’s get down to business... to attract customers! And unlike Mulan, you can actually hit the target by following the tips below. (Image: Disney)

It goes without saying that a professional, user-friendly website that sleekly displays your past endeavors and skills is key to earning the interest and trust of potential clients. This means getting your own domain name (no please!) and possibly even an email address with that domain name. Wordpress, Wix, and Squarespace all have appropriately priced plans to easily set this up.

Pick and organize relevant samples

When it comes to the content of your portfolio, always go for quality over quantity. While an aspiring illustrator may be tempted to upload as many samples of their work as possible, it’s actually wiser to choose the ones that best resemble what you want to be hired for. Say you’re hoping to become a children’s book illustrator, and you’ve previously worked on some bookmarks featuring cartoon characters, as well as some unrelated business card designs. In this scenario, it’s best to showcase the former, so as to grab the attention of a children’s book author.

Top tip: Fill your portfolio with works that resemble what you want to be hired for.

If you have a range of works to show, make sure to organize them into separate tabs to keep your website navigable. Potential clients should know exactly where to find testimonials of your skills. Needless to say, it’s crucial to have a “Contact Me” tab that’s always visible — not tucked into a scroll down list that’s barely findable. (You’d be surprised to know how many websites do this!)

Focus on a brand image

As a freelancer, you should have a website that reflects your artist brand, which means that you’ll want to design a profile that’s aesthetically coherent. What’s the distinct style of your art and specialty? In other words, what’s your unique selling point?

All your work samples should demonstrate this point, and they should be presented in a way that highlights your uniqueness. How your portfolio looks will also inform potential customers of your ability — check out Anna Woodbine’s clean-cut website for some inspiration! Her book covers are laid upon colored backgrounds that enhance the delicacy and beauty of her illustrations — just what you need to wow clients!

3. Scout marketplaces for jobs

Once your website is up and running, it’s time to start the job search! There are many ways to find freelance illustration jobs, but illustration marketplaces are a good place to begin. Sites like Behance, Dribbble, and Coroflot are teeming with art and creative directors searching for new talent. And if you’re interested in working in the publishing sector, there are thousands of indie authors on Reedsy who are looking for designers and illustrators to bring their books to life.

Create your Reedsy freelancer account We have some great projects already lined up for you to work on. Learn more about how Reedsy can help.

These sites will bring you straight to the right target audience — people who really need good illustrators — for you. The downside is that the competition can be quite intense, and some sites do require previous experience or qualifications.

This does mean that if you may find it challenging to find jobs here if you’re just starting to freelance. (Beware also of freelance scams that take advantage of beginners.) Still, you can learn a lot from browsing job boards and others’ profiles while you build up your own profile. When you do get a gig from marketplaces, the task and its pay will justify all that hard work.

4. Be active on social media

Spoiler alert: being a freelancer also means constantly marketing yourself, and there’s no better place to do that in our media-saturated lives than social platforms.

For illustrators, image-based sites such as Instagram are essential. When used correctly, they can be a gold mine. How? Well, people who aren’t savvy about the industry but still need illustrators — e.g. restaurateurs who need their menu designed, or someone looking for a customized gift for a friend — typically don’t browse marketplaces. They’re more likely to be scrolling through Instagram, which means you can be there to catch their eye and offer them your services!

You can also share your processes and projects — commissioned and self-initiated — on social media to stay engaged with the illustration community. If you stay connected with other experienced artists, they’ll share their own nuggets of wisdom with you. Illustrators have their own ever-growing and supportive network, and fellow creatives are often happy to give job recommendations, so be sure to interact with them!

Join an illustrator community

If social media isn’t enough for you, consider joining a community like the Association of Illustrators. Becoming a member means receiving newsletters that keep you up to date, getting access to guides and resources about the illustration trade, and being invited to offline networking events. It’s helpful for newcomers and can add some social connection to a somewhat lonely occupation.

5. Develop good relationships with clients

While we’re on the topic of marketing, let’s discuss customer loyalty. When starting out, you’re likely going to be more concerned about attracting new customers than getting repeat customers. However, repeated clients and referrals are responsible for a good proportion of a freelance illustrator’s work, so it’s important to keep customer loyalty in mind early on.

Pitch creatively and personally

Most of the time, a strong worker-client relationship begins the moment you introduce yourself. A good pitch not only shows your intuition and proactivity, it also conveys your genuine interest in a potential client’s work.

To start off on the right foot, research your client’s products and services first and use what you find. Ultimately, art directors look for illustrators who want to help them create the best product. By showing that you care, you score a point.

If you follow up on that interest and create wonderful art for them, clients will no doubt preserve your name on the list of trustworthy and enthusiastic freelancers that they can contact when the need arises again.

And remember to also try creative approaches when pitching. Sending physical postcards or brochures to local companies, for instance, could be a good way to stand out from other illustrators who rely solely on their online presence.

Write a thorough contract

If you get a request or offer, the next step toward building a good working relationship is to provide a clear agreement or contract. Make sure you both understand the terms of the collaboration to avoid misunderstandings. Below are a couple crucial aspects you must cover.

© Matters of copyright and licensing. If you grant them the copyright, you should charge them more.