Anna Steinberg - Illustrator - Professional Practice Lecture

Today we had a Professional Practice Lecture with Anna Steinberg an Illustrator from London, with a background in graphic design.

Anna spoke about her experience as a freelance illustrator, which I was able to relate to having been a freelance graphic designer. It was interesting hearing another perspective on somebody working from home and the ways in which they choose to deal with their clients in the best and most professional way possible.

I bullet pointed quite a few useful points from Annas lecture so that I could try to adapt them into the way I continue to work as a freelancer:

• Send out promotional material to attract an art director
• Keep a record of design companies and contacts
• Keep emails personal - i.e Dear John
• 1 good hit (client) led to 22 illustrations (in my case - design projects) - that would be nice :)

When you receive a call or email asking you to do a job, be sure to;
• Ask what they would like you to do
• Know who you are talking to - full name - contact details etc
• What is the job about
• What will it be used for
• Do they have a budget
• Deadline
• Where did you hear about me - see my work (this helps with your promotional work)

Trade Association;
• Anna is a member of AOI (Association of Illustrators) www.theaoi.com
Being a member of AOI helps many illustrators with copyright laws, documentation needed when taking on new projects as well as ensuring you get paid for your work etc

• I researched into what associations there were for designers - Charters Society of Designers and the Design Council - These organisations would give me advice on pricing & contracts etc

Notes;
• When pricing a new job - keep in mind the lowest rate of pay you are willing to accept, don't go below this otherwise you will loose your credibility

• Documentation such as an Acceptance of Commission/Job form should be attached to an email for a new client. Anna showed us an example email she had written to a client with this form attached - Attached is an Acceptance of Commission form, it should be openable as I have exciting new software, but give me a shout if there's a problem.

• You can get a samle of the Acceptance of Commission form from AOI
• Copyright - The more they want to use it - the more they should pay
• Don't part with copyright on logo's etc
• Good to send a copy of your terms and conditions to every client - these should also mention clause and cancellation terms so that the client still pays for work so far - shared responsibility

When working on a new job/project;
• Start with brainstorming ideas in your sketchbook
• Manage your time well
• Show the development of your ideas
• Keep sales and purchase records up to date
• It's good to be organised