Take your freelance career to the next level with The Circus of Illustration’s one-stop guide to working as a freelance illustrator. Hear from three inspirational speakers for an insightful evening of practical advice covering; how to work with clients, why you may or may not need an agent, how to market yourself and how to look after your own interests as a small business.

The evening will consist of talks from each speaker, with a relaxed atmosphere which encourages questions and discussions with all attendees. Refreshments will be provided and there will be plenty of time for networking over a glass of wine afterwards.

Our speakers:

Alice Ball, illustration agent from Illustration Ltd

Illustrators’ agent Alice Ball has 8 years of experience in the illustration industry and will be sharing with us an invaluable insight into the day-to-day at Illustration Limited and the world of the artist/agent relationship. Alice is passionate about nurturing the artists on her team; championing artist rights, mediating the journey through projects, between clients and across a diverse range of markets for a smooth production pipeline to create excellent work for the commercial market. In this talk Alice will be covering what agents do, pros of working with an agent, common issues which agents help resolve, what agents look for in a portfolio, frequent advice given as part of portfolio reviews, and how to pick the right agency for you as an artist starting out.

Sarah Hemfrey, artwork commissioner from eMC Design

Looking for an exclusive glimpse into the minds of your clients? As part of emc design's Publishing Services team Sarah commissions artwork for some of the country's biggest publishers. Sarah will give you the inside scoop as to how emc approach artist selections, what they look for from portfolios, and how you can best develop your working relationship to make you an artist your client will keep coming back to.

Georgia Luckman from the Association of Illustrators

Join AOI's Georgia for a comprehensive mini masterclass covering all the essential areas for a successful career in illustration. Including what makes a great portfolio, understanding licensing, client negotiation, self-promotion and the commissioner's journey, working internationally, as well as discussing the more difficult issues like dealing with copyright infringement. Drawing on real examples as well as sharing practical tips before opening up the floor for the all-important Q&A. This masterclass is aimed at seasoned professionals and the up and coming alike!

FAQs

Who is this talk aimed at?

Professionals, students and hobbyists who would like advice and to know more about the best business practices in illustration, design and artworking. Expect practical and candid advice.

How do I get to the Basement at Bunyan?

The Basement is located in the John Bunyan Museum (not to be confused with the John Bunyan Meeting Church). Access is not on Mill Street but on the Castle Road roundabout. Plently of parking can be found nearby at Lurke Street car park. The Basement is suitable for wheelchair access. Please contact us if you have any concerns!

Should I bring anything?

We recommend bringing a notebook if you want to jot down any information- and some business cards if you wish to network!