I’ve just added findanillustrator.com to my blogroll over on the left. It’s basically a wall of illustrators and each image is a link to their info. I update it every time I update the rotating image on Hai!.
I’m planning on redesigning this website blog at some point to be more of a portfolio for my web design work.
A few days ago I decide it was best to get as many Hai! Mailshot packs out as possible before the summer slump. So I got to work packing them and tallied the total up-to 55 packs, normally I send out around 3-10 every 1-2 weeks depending who I’ve been in contact with recently, I try to make every pack count and follow them up when possible. I think this was the biggest mail blast so far.
To be part of the Mailshot packs I send out to art directors and advertising agencies scattered across the globe you need to be a member of Hire an illustrator.
I’ve just posted up the LCS’s May newsletter, check it out! I review a coloring book, a very cool coloring book.
Along with the Hire an illustrator! redesign, I’ve also rebuilt the Pixel Presence ready-made-website template. I used it to create the recent Hai! redesign. The sales site is a bit blank at the moment, but I’m really happy with the result. Pixel Presence gives not only illustrators, but anyone who wants a fantastic website the ability to do it! I’ve change the price scheme too. Now you get your own website for as little as £12.50.
Visit - pixelpresence.net
Visit - hireanillustrator.com
I was doing a routine update of Hire an Illustrators when it made me think - what inspires an art director and what do they look for?
Most of the time they’ll have something specific in mind while they browse the site, but normally won’t know it until they see it. Even if they do have a clear idea of what they are after, it is not always that easy to articulate a vision. Quoting Anna Goodson, what she looks for when searching for illustrators to represent is “love at first sight”. Are art directors inspired by the work they see around them or do they lock themselves in an empty room only allowing original ideas to formulate. I know some film directors will not watch any movies for a period of six to twelve months before they begin a project, but I don’t think this is the case for art directors. I think in most cases they allow themselves to be enveloped by the industry they work in. Directing this question at illustrators - could your work has have inspired an international advertising campaign without ever being a knowing part of it? I think the answer is yes. How many times have you been referred to other illustrators sites, being asking if you could produce something that looks or feels like this (the work of another), I know I have as a web designer.
Looking for someone to turn your vision into a tangible work of art? Check out Hire an Illustrator.
I’m just nipping out to the Post Office to send off some more hai! mail shot packs. Here’s a quick photo of the latest offerings.
To be included in the shot packs join Hire an Illustrator. To receive one get yourself into a position that allows you to hire and commission illustrators, then email me and tell me about. Alternatively if you’re already in that sort of position, pop an email out of your outbox telling me who you work for and what your job entails and I’ll add you to the mailing list.
If you look down the bottom left hand side of my site below the links you notice I’ve started to import some of the RSS feeds for sites I’m currently running. There’s no particular reason to do this as I don’t think it helps Google find them and I use a handy service called Netvibes to keep track of a large number of site… A very large number. At the end of the day I think it looks cool!
The sites I’m importing are the LCS, Hire an Illustrator and We Don’t Do Spec. I’ve got a few more up my sleeve, but that will do for now.
Although the project is no longer accepting submissions the mail art is still coming in. Not that this is a problem, it is just that the constant promotion of the illustrators on Hire an Illustrator and the mailing of the mail shot packs takes up most of my time. So now that I’m trying to compile the mail art and my thoughts into something that can be used and published as a book I’m starting to lose track of what sleep is and coffee is slowly becoming my best friend. This situation isn’t such a bad thing as I can see light at the end of the tunnel. Although I have been considering for a while now hiring additional staff to aid with the work. Email me if you’re a UK (Or international with excellent communication skills) based illustrator looking for a little extra cash.
Here is one of the recent mail art submissions from the excellent Junichi Tsuneoka.
The Hire an illustrator 01 showcase is now available for download, click here to find out more! The PDF includes some great work and information about the company. The above photo taken from the catalogue is of an un-packed mailshot pack.
A few weeks ago… On a late Sunday night. I finally got round to uploading a website that I owed my brother in-law for his Birthday two months earlier. The site was for a model railway club which he is a member of. I also thought it best to update their logo to reflect the new site. I didn’t want to go mad or scare any of the regular members, so I kept is as close to the old logo as I could while still giving it a new professional look.
I also did a production friendly version, so if the club ever wanted to they could merchandise and capitalise on their brand… Or just print some t-shirts and badges for the members. 
The site only took 2-3 hours to put together it was done with WordPress using a nifty template by Adam Cleaveland with only a few modifications.
Well I’ve been working none stop for the last five weeks due to a very intense website I’m working on! I can’t give anything away, but the project is slowly coming to a close.
I’m halfway through compiling a free PDF showcase for Hire an illustrator! There’s still time if you’re quick to join up and be included.
The other day I received a fantastic advent calendar which can be seen above illustrated by the one and only Beach (who I consider to be a friend although I’ve never meet him. We have tried on a couple occasions to meet up for a beer, but it is still to happen). The calendars are available through Beach’s site and all profits go to charity!
I’m also currently putting together a book for the MAiLmeART project which will be being published by HOW Books. The MAiLmeART project is still open for submissions follow this link to find out how.
