Take the Leap
The great thing about the book industry is that it has been around for quite a while so there is a straight forward method of getting a foot in the door.
1/ Make some book designs. 2/ Put together a portfolio of your book designs online. At least six is a good start with process included. 3/ Make a mailing list of art directors and editors, find them online and in books. 4/ Make some promos to promote your work, print and/or digital. 5/ Send your promos at regular intervals, also send to legit literary agents.
Live for Today
It is easy to put off getting started because you feel like you are not ready. But this is a feeling that never really goes away.
And your newness and inexperience is actually your advantage. Art directors are looking for new talent and fresh voices. It can feel like there are so many obstacles and hurdles to overcome to be an artist. However, the wall is more often within.
It’s not Magic
It’s surprisingly easy to build a portfolio if you have an iterative creative approach like we have explored in this course.
Find a process that works for you. That encourages you to make art and doesn’t hold you back. Start by just drawing cool stuff in your sketchbooks, lots and lots of stuff. And make sure it is not boring! Consider storytelling, character, environments, artifacts, design, and emotions. Also remember to leave plenty of room for type, and keep the designs simple.
Your Treasury
A sketchbook is a reservoir of creativity. Finding a way to sketch that is accessible and purposeful will give you a rich body of work to adapt. While you are making art, consider what purpose the artwork can be used for? Adapting your illustration to book design can be as simple as pairing your artwork with a title and seeing how the image and words are juxtaposed to create a new meaning and purpose.
Pairing existing drawings with existing classic or contemporary books works surprisingly well if your illustrations are narrative and social, emotional, or intellectual.
Fear of Failure
Rejection is a powerful emotion. And a major part of the creative process unfortunately. Finding ways to deal, or better yet grow and prosper from the art of rejection is a challenge.
Separate yourself from your art by finding ways to disassociate your self worth from your work – Critique Neurosis is a real thing. Even if I just made it up.
In this moment I would suggest to think about what you are good at, and just do that for a while. To build up your body of work and your confidence.
Victory is Yours
Congratulations, you are victorious! Finishing art school is no mean trick, making art as you have no doubt learned is no easy feat. Our school provides a comprehensive and rigorous design and creative process that can be applied professionally to all sorts of creative endeavors.
Each of you will have a different path to follow. The final suggestion I would have is to enjoy yourself. Appreciate every moment you can live a productive and creative existence. Art is in an era of upheaval, but also real change. And you have the opportunity to be a part of that change.