What opportunities are available in your area?
There are a good number of magazines and zines to submit work to, my particular favourite being the Plymouth Student. They are always asking for work and the paper is widely available and free, so I would be quite well exposed to the Plymouth community.
There are several competitions around to enter as well, most with the prize being published. These are brought to my attention by peers, lecturers and the Creative Opportunities email sent out to all PCAD students.
What skill sets are needed for this area?
Good time management, flexibility and endurance are all needed in the illustration world. A willingness to better yourself and your craft, and to be able to deal with critical feedback. A wide range of influence and inspiration to get you motivated to work and push it further. A sense of healthy competition with other students and illustrators. Technical skill and knowledge of what materials and style would be reasonable for the client or brief. Good quality materials to work with and a passion for the creative process. A confidence and assertiveness to be able to talk and deal with clients
What skills do I need to acquire?
The motivation to carry on working after looking at others work which I deem better than mine. Sometimes it is hard to get over the jealousy I get after looking at work I deem myself unable to be able to create. I have to remind myself that I am sometimes not yet at a level of professionalism and that I will only get better with time and practise.
I also need to be confident in working with digital processes and to push myself out of my comfort zone. I can do this by lessons I can teach myself by online tutorials and magazines. I also need to look at other artists that work in different ways with different styles, and look at their blogs to see how they have produced their work.
List and explain 3 pathways to utilize self promotion in developing a portfolio.
Diversity:
Work with several different clients that require you to change method and style so you have a broad range of work. Push yourself to create things out of your comfort zone and work on the areas you find difficult. However do have some continuity in your work so a style can be seen and that your work doesn't look all over the place.
Saturation:
Promote your blog online and physically. Keep posting the URL on your blogs and social network sites. make it clear you are an illustrator and you are constantly producing new and exciting work. Keep submitting and entering competitions, attending events where there will be like minded people. Don;t be afraid to ask. And always be enthusiastic about your work and show your passion.
Format:
have a well presented physical portfolio in a good case that doesn't just hold but enhances your work. Keep a well designed and up to date blog or website with a memorable name. If working in 3D use a high quality camera to photograph it so it does not take anything away from the work. Print the photograph to a highquality as well for the physical portfolio.
