Starting Your Career as a Freelance Illustrator or Graphic Designer

by Michael Fleishman

"A great deal of information obtained only by the live and learn method is packed into the book's chapters." --The Artist's Magazine

Technology has sent shockwaves of change through the world of commercial art. Digital illustration and design, online portfolio sites, and the proliferation of stock art have radically changed the way that illustrators and graphic designers work. What has not changed, however, is the wealth of illustrators...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1581151993
• ISBN13: 9781581151992
• Release Date: December 2001
• Publisher: Allworth
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A great little guide for the wanta-be entrepreneur who doesn't have a mentor to help them go from W-

I really liked this book a lot. It was a very good first-hand book written by a small business owner about his experiences starting, managing, and prospering as a freelance illustrator and/or graphic designer. His writing style was not exactly stellar. But it certainly was clear. The 20 chapters included in the book fell into the following 4 topics: 1. STARTING THE FIRM >>Where Do You Start? <br />>>Off on the Right Foot <br />>>Creating a Plan for Your Business <br />>>Developing Your Financial Plans <br />>>Forms, Charts & Templates <br />>>Pricing Your Work and Getting Paid <br /> <br />2. MANAGING THE FIRM <br />>>Why Should You Freelance? <br />>>Setting Up Shop <br />>>Managing Your New Studio <br /> <br />3. RAINMAKING FOR THE FIRM <br />>>Bring in Clients <br />>>How to Get Noticed <br />>>What Goes in the Portfolio <br />>>Marketing on the Web <br /> <br />4. POSSIBLE MARKETS <br />>>The Magazine Market <br />>>Selling to the Newspapers <br />>>Working with Advertising Agencies <br />>>Selling to Book Publishers <br />>>The Greeting Card Market <br />>>Working with Art and Design Studios <br />>>Selling to Small Business <br /> <br />Since I am not an illustrator or a graphic designer I did not have much use for the fourth topic. But it was interesting to read about. I regularly counsel wanta-be entrepreneurs about how to start a small business; I'm a volunteer SCORE counselor. And the material covered in the first three topics above are exactly what I talk about with my SCORE clients. I highly recommend this book to anybody wanting to start their own small consulting practice. It does a wonderful job discussing the topics. <br /> <br />My biggest complaint with the book is the tendency of the author to recommend outsourcing so many functions: accounting, taxes, and Web site design and construction. I think these things should be fully understood by the small business owner and probably done by the owner herself. When the business grows to have a few employees, then the employees can do those tasks if the owner wants to do that. <br /> <br />I would have written the section on choice of business structure differently. Keep in mind that LLCs can be either single member or multi member. An LLC can elect to be taxed as a sole proprietorship (single member), a partnership (multi member), or a C Corporation. Also, a multi member LLC will have to file a partnership tax return. A good book on the subject that I recommend you read to supplement this book is Structuring Your Business (ISBN: 1593371772). I highly recommend forming an LLC and electing to have it taxed as a C Corporation. Just give yourself a bonus at year-end so the corporation retains no earnings. If your business is a corporation it is less likely to be audited by the IRS. 5 stars!

Just great!

Well, if you're looking for a book which explains with simple words the world of freelance illustrators, with tricks and tips, examples, wisdom and a bit of jokes, you've found it! And it's fine also for other similar careers. I definitely can suggest it.

Great Book!!

For someone planning to start their own business this will give you insight to all the little and big details to that you should prepare yourself for before diving in head first.

filling a vacuum very well

This book is really a must-read for anyone at any age thinking about pursuing illustration as a living. It's a very competitive field, and you'll need more than a cute apartment and winning smile to make it. If you read it and decide not to become an illustrator, it's the best $15 you ever spent.

The Inspiration

If you get overwhelmed by the image you may have of what the life of a freelance illustrator is like, read this book. It is encouraging, while also being very practical. It tells you that you can start a career as a freelancer, but with a few practical IFs attached. Follow his advice and answer his questions honestly. Then ,if practical, take a deep breath, jump in and have a blast at FINALLY doing something with your life that you LOVE.