Project Description:
• The first part of the semester will be spent researching illustration markets. Students will make a presentation to the class covering emerging trends, and examples of professional work for a chosen market.
• Intro to the concept of becoming an entrepreneur. How will you brand yourself? Discuss in class of each person's ideal job.
• Research your ideal job and the companies that you would be an ideal fit, in some cases a market will be assigned to you so that the class can cover as many as possible to share in a seminar style.
• Tell the story of becoming a professional in your market.
• Create a database of companies, organizations and blogs that relate to your market.
• Project Deliverables include:
• Research Slideshow Presentation in Powerpoint (or exported into ppt) (or .swf - if you know flash slideshow)
• Logo in Illustrator that will be placed in the presentation
Example • Market Research Presentation
• Market List in Excel Spreadsheet (or exported into excel)
Example • Market List
• Freelance Studio Cost Analysis in Excel Spreadsheet (or exported into excel)
Example • Studio 1 Year Operating Expenses
Freelance Studio Operating Expenses Blank Template
Input your numbers and the document will do the math for you.
• Market Research Presentation includes:
• 3 companies or individuals working in your market w/ work examples and links
• 1-3 professional organization w/ work examples and links
• 2 blogs or related websites w/ work examples and links
• Studio 1 year Operating Expenses for working in your market
• Summary of your market findings
• Market List:
This is to be a working document that you can refer to as you market yourself to get jobs.
You will want to continue to add to this as you develop relationships within the market.
include:
• 20 companies or individuals working in your market
• 1-5 professional organizations
• at least 10 blogs or related websites
• A written summary of all of your market findings, this writing will be included in your presentation.
To start to develop relationships with professionals in your market ask them questions like these:
Example Market Research Phone / Email Survey Script
Supplementary Resources for Student Research:
KendallWeblab.com
Graphic Artists Guild Handbook, Pricing and Ethical Guidelines
Inside the Business of Illustration
Childrens Writers & Illustrators Market
Writers and Illustrators Market
