So beyond finding commissioners and freelance work, how do you land an illustration/design job? Does anyone know what sort of portfolio pieces and skills companies are looking for, and is it worth making portfolio pieces to suit a generic company if there aren't any local companies that suit your existing portfolio? Would really appreciate advice on where to direct my time/effort.
>>2423513
>Suit your existing portofolio
Change your fucking portofolio would be the easy answer.
>>2423524
It's the simplest answer yeah. At that point you are kinda out of your element and competing with people who can do that work a lot better, though, hence my question of whether it's worth it and how to make it work.
I'll pay you 10 dollars to draw something for me
>>2423513
>a generic company
There is no such thing as a "generic company".
Pick a niche and start researching and catering your work to be similar to work currently getting published in that industry.
Example: I do a lot editorial illustration (Magazines, Newspapers)
1. Research the aesthetics and styles that successful editorial illustrators have, and start using their influence to transform your work towards being more "Editorial". You need to cater your product towards the market you're trying to sell to.
2. Research and document the names of the editorial companies that hire illustrators. Be sure to research beyond the most famous of publications - there are lots of different ones out there.
3. Document and categorize the names of people who hire illustrators (often art/creative directors), their business addresses and their emails.
4. Start periodically contacting these people via email and promotional postcards letting them know you would like to work with them (how to effectively "pitch" is an artform in itself - something I won't get into here)
5. Follow up every few months. Never, ever give up after the first email. It may take many attempts to contact them in order to receive a reply. Repeat, long-term exposure is infinitely more effective than trying to land a deal on the first email.
6. Rinse and repeat forever.
Good luck!
Every company is different of course, but a good rule of thumb is that if the pieces of your portfolio look similar style to what the company puts out and at least of similar quality or better you have a fair chance of landing a job.
It's good to remember you don't need to restrict yourself to having just one portfolio, you could have several different portfolios customised for a different type of employer emphasising different types of work. Or even putting together a portfolio customised for a specific employer (out of your existing work. probably not worth it making new pieces just for that. but I'm not stopping you)
