5 Top Tips for Art Students
When we first started freelancing (during our second year of University), we knew very little about the world we were entering. We both started by selling illustrated products like cards and prints as well receiving a couple of low paying jobs from friends and family (the classic pet portrait). We have learnt a fair bit since then, and thought we would share our top 5 tips we wished we knew when we first made a portfolio and designed a business card.
1.Have a clear portfolio- You are still at art school and haven’t got a ton of projects to show yet. That’s okay, quality not quantity. Make sure the client can see your work INSTANTLY. They don't have long to scroll for hours, so make sure what you want to show is front and centre. It’s good to mix mockups and pure imagery so clients can get a good idea of application as well as your voice.
2. Networking and Marketing- Be active on social media and set yourself challenges/projects in your spare time. You will quickly get over the fear of sharing your work! If you want to approach clients for work, write a nice but SHORT email, people don't have that much time. Make it personal (so it doesn’t get mistaken as spam), the best way to do this is pick out a project of theirs you admire. People love talking about themselves. It's a no brainer but being nice goes a longggggg way. Listen, help and they might help you back. Networking can even be done at family parties etc. you never know who you might know. Those people could be the key to your first job.We always thought we were at a disadvantage for not knowing any family or friends in the creatives industries but it’s the people who aren’t creative who need you!
A mock up of a mural. A Great way to fill a portfolio!
An event we spoke at at LCB Depot, it was a great way to meet other people working in the creative industry.
3. Not every client is for you- It's so easy to say yes yes yes to everything that comes your way. We have been there. Always ask yourself ‘Is this project something I want to put in my portfolio? Do I want to attract more work like this?’ IF the answer is no, decline politely and recommend a friend whose work suits the brief. If your price is too expensive for a client then they aren't the client for you (You can't please or work for everyone!) you have value so don’t get steam rollered just so they can save a few ££. Be confident, you’re still a student so you have full time work to be doing, the time you are working for clients is just a bonus.
4. Contracts and Invoices. Ask for a deposit upfront (we opt for 50%). Limit the rounds of amendments to avoid project creep (when a project keeps going and going and going). Also, never send over files to a client before they've paid! You can write an agreement of sorts for them to sign to make all of this a bit more formal, don’t worry about asking for this, if they respect you and your work they should have no problems signing something.
5. Finding your style- The key to this one is a mixture of practice and not overthinking. You don’t try to ‘find’ your handwriting style, it just happens naturally and that's how we think illustration goes too. If you’ve drawn it then it’s already in your style, you’ll just become more focused and realise what's the easiest and most enjoyable way of creating something. Some illustrators have a set colour palette but we don’t limit ourselves too much, we just end up having preferences and know what combos work the best for us.
6. Don't be too hard on yourself. A little bonus tip here for free, please take it easy. Comparison is the thief of joy, and in a world where everyone's work is online it's so easy to be a big debbie downer about your own work. You’re fab and as long as you’re doing what you love and being kind to yourself you can’t go wrong.
Remember, you’re mint!
Good luck with your journey to freelance! Remember that working for yourself can be fantastic but it doesn’t have to be your final destination, some people hate the idea of working for themselves and that's okay too. However if you’re keen to be your own boss, we hope these tips have given you a little bit more info on where to start…