Links

Email: marthafordillustration@gmail.com

LinkedIn

Adobe Portfolio

Cara

Instagram

Behance

Association of Illustrators Folio

Expected Process for Commercial Projects

• I will reply via email as having everything in writing is really helpful.

• We can discuss the project, the license, including usage and budget, and we can see if I will be suitable for your project.

• Contracts need to be signed before any work starts, and sometimes a deposit is paid upfront.

• Revisions/corrections are expected and the amount of revisions will be decided before the contract (but I will always try to be flexible where I can).

• The opportunity for feedback and revisions will usually come after each of these stages:

  • Initial sketches

  • Colour drafts and/or tonal drafts.

  • Final artwork (this will be the final time to make small revisions before sign off)

• Sign off on final artwork and full/remaining payment before the final artwork files are delivered.

Tell me all about it

Commissioning an illustrator can seem complicated so I wanted to make it as transparent as possible. I found this really helpful: https://theaoi.com/resources/professional-practice/guide-to-commissioning

If you have a specific budget, communicating this early on can save a lot of time but there’s also a number of things I might ask about:

The artwork/deliverables:

• Firstly, do you need something new, or to license existing artwork?

  • Style - Are there any examples you like in my portfolio? Or maybe you already have a moodboard you could show me?

  • Detail and finish - What’s the level of technical detail and colour needed? Level of rendering, texture and final finish? Again, pick out any examples of my work you think demonstrate the level you need.

  • Concept and content - Do you have a moodboard, brief or clear idea of what you want? Are there any themes, messages or clear purposes for the work? Is it open to interpretation or do you have something very specific in mind? This will help me estimate the amount of time needed for development, production, and revisions.

  • Quantity - Do you need…one illustration e.g. a book cover or full page spread; multiple illustrations e.g. a set of 3 spot illustrations for editorial; or a suite/collection of illustrations and assets e.g. product, packaging, point of sale, promotional graphics.

  • Complexity of deliverables - Do you need a single image file, or a full layered file of separable assets? Prepped for animation? Capable of being enlarged e.g. for billboards?

  • Collaboration and design - Will I be working with a designer / animator /art director / editor? Will you need design support?

  • Technical requirements - Are there any specific layouts or technical requirements you can provide? Do you need space left for typography and copy? Colour profiles e.g. CMYK or RGB?

  • Timescale - Generally, if artwork is needed with a really fast turnaround, a ‘rush fee’ will be added. Please let me know when you would want to begin, your timeframe and any set deadlines.

• License/usage:

  • Use - It is helpful if you list all anticipated uses for the illustrations. Will the artwork be used on one specific product? multiple products? on promotional material or point of sale? across different platforms?

  • Type - A license can be exclusive, meaning no one else can use the image during the license term, or non-exclusive, meaning the artist can license the work elsewhere.

  • Duration - Many licenses are for use of the illustration work for 12 to 24 months, with the option to renew.

  • Audience - Are you an individual or a small business? Are you contacting on behalf of a larger company or brand? Are you a charity or other organisation? The bigger the expected audience, and the purpose re. commercial gain, the higher the value of the illustration. I can’t work for exposure but I would consider smaller fees, dependent on the client, industry, or purpose.

  • Territory - Do you have a single country or a list of countries you want to use it in? Globally? Or at a local level? Again, the bigger the anticipated audience, the higher the value of the illustration, and vice versa.

    Please note, unless it is a personal commission, signing over full artwork rights is expensive for the client and rarely needed.

    If you are enquiring about visual development work for a project (rather than final artwork and assets), this will be priced as freelance services, without some of the above licensing requirements etc.

    All information is based on personal experience, general industry guidance and licensing terms, and external professional industry advice.