create an etsy account and what is expected off me

Today we had the papio press which is website owned by 3rd years called Harry and Zanna.  With this lecturer I learned the positive and negatives of running an etsy page, which has been something I have been think about just in case I wanted to see my work online on an artist comminute.


But before I start taking about etsy. Harry and Zanna tolded me to that the best place to present my work is tumblr because on tumblr people can reblog my artwork onto their blogs which give me more notices and possible clients.  But also etsy is good place for getting noticed as an artist because they promote your work on the front page and around the website and we your look at a item it will recommended a product that similar to that theme. Another good place to get notice is facebook because it's a mass media website but I was told by them not to buy the advertising that they offer on facebook because it cost money and it easier to like other artists page which are bond to have someone like your work. With etsy I have to a pay a fee for advertisement which is £260 a year, with this I need to put this into consideration.


The advice give to me by Harry and Zanna was to sell my artwork but not have high hopes when it comes to actual selling the product. What I mean by this is do not get my hopes up and think that I will sell a ton of item's because it can count on few. Some people will think the price is too high, that it not the trend at the moment or just that you need to wait for clients to come. When post stuff on etsy put a basic description of the item, so what it is and what it is made from. I must have basic photoshop skills when ending the photo of the product to look better quality.


When it actual comes to make the product Harry and Zanna suggest to look for a company that can make you products cheap and good quality. I think if I am going to do this I must look up where the other artists get theirs from and compare prices but also look up review of the companies just in case. When it has come to me deciding on what company I want to use to make my products I also need to take into mind that I need to think how many I would need. Also I must take in the postage deliver time because I don't want the customer to wait too long for a package. When it comes to the material to use to create my product Harry and Zanna said what sells best is recycled stuff because the customer then feels eco friendly and it makes you also look eco friendly.  I was also told that there will be times when the product comes out wrong, when this situation happens just info the company what went wrong and also info the clients that have bought the produce about the delay.  So in general be careful who you are working with to make your products and keep recorded when something goes wrong,just in case it becomes a regular thing and you want to report them.


Also when it comes to me decide what to uses a my product I must consisted what the most easiest and cheapest to send in the post. So again I will have to look up which postage company is the cheapest and quickest at deliver. With etsy itself, I was told that it is better than using a local shop as your sell point because it world wide so everyone is going to see you work so give you more publicity as an artist. But again that would mean that I would have to pay extra for the postage because it's going overseas. Also etsy take 25 percentage profit which can be a lot counting on how much I make the product, so this means I will have to increase my price by added the percentage taken off by etsy, so that I get even profit. Also with the selling products I should consider what the customers want out of the product and if they want any extra but with this in mind, I will have to charge them extra if they want for example a frame for the work. But Harry and Zanna said that they don't offer that because it better for the customer  to decide what is the best.


When it comes to pricing my own work I should look around on what artists are charging from pro artists to novice artists.


With etsy I get feedback from the customer which is ideal because I know if the package came on time, the product is right and if there is any more feedback that can help me improve as an artist and as a shop owner.  But when it comes to something going wrong don't be shy to tell the customer just tell the customers what has gone wrong with deliver or product stock. There is also theft on etsy and if this does happen to your artwork report it to the etsy website so that the page will be taken down.


With the etsy idea it gave me the idea that I could do some work experience on there because I would be selling my own artwork at my price and running my own online shop. This could also lead to me  offering commission work. With the shop side of this business in mind it would teach me how to dealing with products such as restocking and think about quantity control, find the best place that makes the products and find ways to help clients get what they want.


With this overall knowledge of what it would take to run a etsy page, I would not consider doing it as a job because it is not the industry I do not want to get into. But with this knowledge I may change my mind in the future and it would be good to reference back to this.


        

work experience two: Fiesta da picosta poster design

For my second work day experience on the 30th October 2014. In which I had a choice in designing a poster for a company (Pinksky)


For this it basic what a commission would be like and it was a interesting task because I never designed a poster before and it would give me a new experience.


What I was given was a briefing of what they wanted for the poster. The basic aim was to design a poster in any format we wanted and any size, I only got the paper and missed the briefing which was my own fault and I dearly regret it but I did ask PINKSKY what the brief was and they gave me that information along with a sheet of paper. This sheet told me what they wanted out of the poster, they wanted something related to Spanish cherries. With the sheet it also gave me advice such as look up reference for what we want in our poster design and is relevant to the design and brief. With the brief were given restrictions. The restrictions are don't go for culture clothes, be racially sensitive and base it in modern day.


After knowing to what I was going to do,  I was given to the end of the day to design I post (or so I thought). What I used was traditional media of fine liner and inks. I first created a rough outline in pencil so then I outline to follow. Then I started using inks to colour in, after they dyed I final used a fine liner to outline the drawing.


I then had to head back to the studio at half four for all the group to show what we had designed. After I viewed all the others I felt that I'm wasn't near that level. I was about to give up until they said that we can hand on 2nd of October if we didn't finish our poster designs or we want to redesign. So with this information I decided to redesign my poster. So what I did over the weekend was design a poster in Photoshop to help improve my Photoshop skills and to make a better poster.


With the overall outcome I was happy that I decided that I did this so that I gain experience in what it is like to do a day brief and what it is like to do a commission. With this information I am going to consider doing commission in the future. But overall I know I wasn't no match with the other students but this has given a influence to myself to try just as hard next time and to strive to improve my art skills and style.

First design

Second design

work experience day one wilson gallery setting up the illustration awards

Day one of work experience at the Wilson Gallery on the 13th October 2014


My first day of work experience was setting up a room in Wilson gallery for the Cheltenham illustration Awards 2014. I arrived there at 9:30 so that I could sign in before the teachers arrive and so that I can have a look at what room I have to set up in and what is expected of me. I meet the museum curator who guide me to the room and gave me a rough briefing of what she wanted me to do. The brief was to have the whole room be prepared by the ended of the day. I was also trusted with one of key that allows to lock and unlock the gallery.


I waited for the lecturers and other students to arrive so that we had enough hands to help set the exhibition. When the lecturers arrived they bought the artwork with them which we had to take to the room in the we placed against the walls. after we had taken all the frames against the wall I was then told by lecturers that me and two other students need to layout the artwork. We need to work out what worked best against each other. This was interesting because we had different opinions but in a way we worked out together. After we had set them together, the lecturers came back and had a look at what we had done. There was some movement of artwork but overall everything worked out. After we decide what went next to each other, we had to started nailing them to the wall. But my job was to clean the glass of the frames From the A2 frames to A5 frames. As I was cleaning the frames, the lecturers were missing the labels for some of the artwork and a ruler water level to make sure that the frames were balanced. I offered to fetch from the University, in which I did. When I came back I finished the latest of clean and then went onto to paint over some of screws so that it matched with the background and that if didn't distract the viewers when looking at the picture.  That was all I did and we got it set up by 2 o'clock.


Overall this was great experience to have because it showed what it like to work in gallery and what is expected of you. I am glad that I decided that I have gone for a multiple work experiences because then when it comes to it I know what I would like to do in the future when it comes to my future career as illustrator. What I learned from this experience was teamwork and organizing a exhibition. The teamwork aspect is good note to keep because it one of key facts when it comes to job, special when it comes to work in the concept industry when expected to work as a team.


Reference                    

when writing a artistic CV and how to gain work experience

We had a visit from Pauline smith who is from student help zone, she is member of staff that helps students find work experience and writing an artistic CV.  These two lecture provide a great insight on what I need to do when writing a CV and what do when I telephone or email my possible work experience placements. Again, I know what I want to do in the future but again it was great to see what is on offer beside concept art.




When writing a CV  Pauline Smith gave a list to use when writing a CV, this list was:


Putting contract detail at the top with my name. The contract details is just my name followed by e-mail and online portfolio. We only provide these links because the company will sometimes just want to look at your portfolio straight away. Also Pauline Smith said that you don't provided your phone number just in case you send it to the wrong place and get a prank call and that you know if you get a reply by one way instead of multiple ones. This good to know when I am writing my CV because if I didn't know this I would have written it as a normal business CV.




Also provided a profile photo so that the future employer knows what you look like. Below the photo provided a short summary to sell your self to the client. state you name, current education, your purpose of writing a CV to them.  This is also the same process used when make a call, skyping or talking expect you add at the end "if you have any spare time, please ...."    




Then I have to give my qualifications from GCSE to my current education. Pauline said the maximum amount of qualifications is fifthteen. This is given in the CV so the employers have an idea of my education.








In my CV I have to also say what skills I can provide, with this Pauline smith said that we need to provide skills that are relate to what job I want to do in Future. So for example I want to work in the concept industry so I need to look up job offers for Concept artist online.


I then need to go onto work experience that is relevant to what Job I want to do, so for this I would need to look up websites that are give deadlines to students that want to work in the concept industry. With this idea I should send a little portfolio of what I can do in photoshop. At the moment I need to gain experience in this industry, So it might be ideal for work experience to shadow someone to see what it is like.




Also provide on the CV interest show that you can show that you interest in other things than art and a very passionate about it. But don't get cared away with this, Pauline Smith said make it max fifty words.



Then say at the bottom of your CV if they want a reference that can request one. I thought that this was a good thing to add in CV because if they ask for a reference that mean in way that they are interested in you. This was all the information provided for when writing a artistic CV but their is a matter of layerout of the CV and provide other ways of contract you but not through a CV.




The other ways that Pauline Smith suggested to contract a person was to either do a YouTube CV which you basically reading a script that based on your CV and looking started at the camera. This is one that I am  not sure about because I just heard about these kind of CV through Pauline Smith, she said that you can do it but it's not really heard of and I think it would be better if they talked to you face to face, by Skype or telephone because then it live and provide more personality through a live conversation.


The types of CV layouts are artistic which is used my freelance illustrators. To create this you need about 1 or 2 pages of your CV. But with this CV you can make a 3D effect to make stand out from everyone else. Also you can apply colours which can make it stand out and you can uses colours that express you the most. with this type of CV I must focus more on telling my creative skills and experiences which apply to you as an artist. The information on the can be expressed in a graphically presentation. Final provide visual imagery of your work and a link to your portfolio.


Here is a example of an Artistic CV from http://www.hybridlava.com/wp-content/uploads/Creative-Resume-Idea-4.jpg    


Then there is a Conventional CV which is basic a general CV 


For example


I was also told what to do when email the company what I should write beside giving them my CV. I was also told that I should also look up the company and know what they do and what project they have done.  With the email I should be formal and start by say "Dear (name)", then make a quick statement why I am writing to them and why am I giving them my CV. The next steps is a statement in why they should consider to hire me for work experience. At the end say at the end "how can we take this forward?" Pauline Smith said that this quotes had worked when people have said through a telephone or email because it shows that you are interested and it leaves a strong impression on the clients. Then finally say thanks and goodbye.


Have this information is great because then I have a idea of what to write when it comes to sending my CV or when create a script for a telephone call.


The next subject is a telephone call, because when it comes to work placement I think this best way of getting a job because it shows that you have gone to effort of calling them, instead of calling them or going in to had a CV in to the studio itself. But before all this I need to research of who I'm possible calling, what does the individual do for the organisation do. After this then prepare a script in which you have little notes to prepare you for the call.  when making the phone call stay focus, be formal and state you business in 30 seconds. What I have to say in 30 seconds is my name, education, Purpose for calling and final ask if they have any spare time.  If they do ask questions of the business not simple ones but ones that will open an in depth conversation.


This again is brilliant information to know when making a phone to my work placements.


Overall these two lecture we ideal because I gave me the basic idea of what is expected of me when preparing for my work experience. I will use this as a reference when creating my CV and when making my phone call or email to the company. Also I liked that she showed me  examples of types of CV.             










                    

possible other careers

In this week session on the 2nd October 2014 we had to get into groups and work together to create an A to Z of illustrations jobs. This session with Georgia was very helpful because it gave me a basic insight on what possible job careers are available for me to chose from. In my head I know I want to get into the concept design business but It would be good if I see what is on offer for me to chose from.

A to Z  to possible job carriers and describing what are the jobs themselves. some of the letters won't be here because there is possible no job beginning with that letter, this also listing the ones that we came up with in the group.




A- Animator - An animator is an artists that creates multiple images that give the illusion of movement, when these images are displayed in a rapid sequence.




B- Book illustrator-  A book illustrator is a artists that normal creates illustrations for children books or graphic novels. This is basic an children book or graphic novel illustrator. But with this your normal give a story to illustrate, not your own.




C- Concept Artist-  An concept artist is a an artist that gives forms to ideas for films, video games, animation or graphic novels.


D- Drafter- Drafters are illustrators that do technical drawings and plan under the same direction as architects and engineers


E- Exhibition Organiser- Organising exhibitions for galleries, this job includes layout out the exhibition sorting out what does best with each other.       


F- Freelance illustrator-  A freelance is an illustrator that mostly someone that does commissions from clients that email them with a certain time limit to provide a illustration for them. The also try to create a name for themselves.


G - Game Designer-  A game designers is a designers who designs the characters, levels, art and animation. The may also have to 3D software or a 2D software counting on the game. 


Graphic novel illustrator- This is when you illustrate a book which is like a movie given page form, this can go into self publishing, concept art or you been a script to follow.     


H- Historical illustration- creating illustrations that accurate to the resources provided which are historical relics/events and then putting them into illustration form for books.      


J- Journalist illustrator-  This job is about the illustrator creating illustrations that link to political events. With these illustrations they normal add humour into the illustration counting on the situation.


L- Landscape artists-  Landscape artists are people that created art piece based cityscapes (views of a city), seascapes (views of the ocean), waterscapes (views which show water) and nature.  


M- Medical illustrator- Illustrating medical illustrations for medical book. These illustrations are normal extreme detailed and visual describe the subject such as the human organs  


N- Newspaper panellists- This artists creates little comics in the back of the newspaper which are normal one to four panels long. This are normal stories based on jobs or bad puns   


P- Product designer- This is designer that designs a product, this various from perfume bottle to box design. This job uses the same technical media as a drafter.


S- Self Publisher- A self publisher is an illustrator that creates their own stories and illustrates them.


T- Toy designer - A toy designer is someone that creates a toy for children. The illustration part would be create the concept art of it.




What Job/s do I want to aim for?


I want to aim for the concept art industry because I always liked the idea of just created characters and landscapes, I have only just started doing this kind of business just last year and I still learning but with the future interviews that I am going to do |I will gain some future insight in what is expected of me if I work this industry and with the work experience that will be give a definite idea if I wanted to continue with it at all. But with the other jobs we came up with as a group I think I would like to also try self publishing or graphic novel Illustrator because they would give me the freedom to illustrate one of my stories, But it would also be good to follow a script give to me.  I enjoy the idea of create a name for creating my own series and also it links to concept art as well which I like.


Overall this lecture gave me an idea of what I want to do for my work experience and my aim for rhis year and the third year coming.          

Work proposal

 

My name is William Samuel Burton studying Illustration at Gloucester University. I would like to find work experience in the Concept Art Industry. I am in my second year just starting to get into the concept side of illustration. I want to gain experience in concept art from this work placement by working along side illustrators working in the commercial world. I want to learn how concept artists work such as how much the company expect the concept artist within a day, what the materials will I need if I wanted to continue in this industry. I want to know what the teamwork aspect comes into it. I want this work experience to give me a new skills, I would like to get notes from seniors designers who have experience in this industry. Overall I want experience so I know what would be expected of me, should I gain a position with a concept art company in the near future.

What I plan to do for work experience. I want to a range of work experience so that I can decide on if I want to do anything else beside concept art. I have already done some work experience already.

 One that I have done:

Wilson gallery, illustration awards set up on the 13^th October 2014.
Fiesta de picotas poster design on the 30^th September 2014.

 

Ones that I plan to do:

Through the woods, book illustrations due in the 11^th November
True believers comic convention on the 7th Saturday February
Have a week work experience in the concept industry   

Commissions
Post my work on contest websites

  People I can interview for concept related subjects

Jason Chan
Concept artist
Works for Massive black company which is a movie/video game concept art company
Email is on his website www.jasonchanart.com

 

Jack Lawrence
Comic designer

Freelancer
Email:  jack@jackademus.com

 

Brittney Lee
Designer and animator
Freelancer
Email: britsketch@gmail.com

 

Naniiebim (alias)
Illustrator
Freelancer
Email: naniiebimHBD@hotmail.co.uk

 

Claire Hummel
Concept Artist
Email: shoomlah@gmail.com

Christian Bravery
Concept artist

Email: christian@leadinglightdesign.com

 

Concept Studios that are in the UK:

Inetia games studio
Mobile games company
Website: www.inertiasoftware.com

Location: Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire Business Park 

 

Opus Artz
Concept art company
Website: www.opusartz.com

Location: London, Holborn Viaduct

 

Atomhawk design
Concept Art Company
Website: www.atomhawk.com
Location: Newcastle, Gateshead 

 

Studio Gobo
Video game company

Website: www.studiogobo.com
Location:  The city of Brighton and Hove, Hove Business Park

 

Kwalee
Mobile games company
Website: www.kwalee.com
Location:  Leamington spa

 

Rebellion
Video game company

Website: www.rebellion.com
Location: Oxford

 

West Pier studio
Mobile game company
Website: www.westpierstudio.com
Location: Brighton

 

Natural motion
Mobile gaming company 
Website: www.naturalmotion.com

Locations: One office in Oxford and one in London

 
Scorch London
TV film and video production company
www.scorchlondon.com
Location: London

Somnio studios
Concept art Company
www.somniostudios.com
Location: London 

Interview with a senior game design

I went to the EGX (Euro gamer) on the  27th of September 2014. At this  gaming convention we had a interview with a senior design called Joanna Haslem from Relentless studio. This company help create the Furby boom mobile game. They we working for Hasbro, inc to create the new Furby app game.


It was an interesting experience because she gave me a lot of insight on what I need to do to get in the Concept industry. She did say that she herself had not a big part in that side of the business but she still gave very helpful tips.


She said that I had to be flexible with my art style, she said that I will be asked different to draw in various art style and different projects will ask for certain styles. Also she said that I should not ditch traditional drawing because she said that designer companies will sometimes want just quick sketches designs, but mostly they want concept artists to use software such as photoshop. But also we need to get a grip of 3D software. As a concept artists we are expected to do scene design, object design and character design.


She also told me what I will need to do we send my art portfolio. First make it a digital because it makes it easy to access and always put at the top of you CV or letter because sometimes the companies with want to look straight at it sometimes because they sometimes don't have time to look at your CV.


She then went on to describe what I am expected to do and what is expected of me. I have to have good commutation skills and great teamwork skills. This always expected when working in a team but I will keep it mind and also she said that you could be working in concept team of 3 to 20 concept artists. But also when working as a team don't be shy to say when you notice a problem within the game to notify you team but also consider how this will effect the overall game. Will it cause the team to reset a whole set of the game or is it something.


with this knowledge of what I need to do I will keep this in mind for the future and I know what I need to do for the future.                




Proof of my visit to EGX