Spending too much time on Facebook? Rather than waste any more of your precious time posting updates no one really wants to read, why not explore a new way to turn your design skills into dollars?
In 2009, 21,878 picture books were published for children. Each used an average of 14-28 illustrations, depending on the writing and the scenes the illustrator decides to create. That’s right- the illustrator designs the majority of the book, giving the artist major control over the final project. And not only do the author and illustrator benefit from book sales, there are also marketing give-aways to design, like posters, bookmarks and other advertising.
Photo by San Jose Library
Not sure you’re ready for a project of that size? Start by submitting art to magazines. Children’s magazines circulate in the millions of subscribers, and each issue uses dozens of illustrations. Start by studying a few issues of the magazine you’re interested in. Target your portfolio to the style of the magazine, and submit samples to the Art Director. Be sure to address your e-mail to the correct person. Art Directors, like editors, change jobs often. The Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Market is a good resource.
Once you “break in” to a magazine, you can submit and sell more artwork. Start by submitting to as many markets as match your art style. Don’t forget online magazines! The pay may be less, but building “clips”- the literary version of a resume, is important if you want to get into illustrating for magazines.
Photo by Zainub Razvi
Illustrating children’s literature isn’t for everyone, but if you can look at things in a new and quirky way, if you can produce rich, multicultural and colorful images, if you enjoy building fantastic worlds and illustrating factual information, then illustrating for children’s markets may be for you.
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Tom Chu work for PsPrint and PsPrint Blog. When he’s not sitting behind a computer, Tom likes watching sci-fi movies and Japanese cartoons, hitting the golf course and playing with his four dogs. You can connect with Tom via Google+ or Twitter. |
