ADVICE TO ASPIRING ARTISTS

As Kathy has developed her design career over the years, many aspiring artists have asked her how she got started, and what steps are needed to break into the gift and greeting card industry. In response to these questions, Kathy has created this page of information, tips, industry contacts and general advice.

“First of all, thanks for visiting this site. Periodically, I receive requests for information on getting started in the design industry. Since I spend most of my time behind a drawing board, I found this to be the best way for me to share what has helped me, while still meeting my deadlines. I'll first give you a little of my career history and then mention some resources that you may find helpful.

My "first career" was in teaching elementary school, and later, art at the high school level. So I'm sure some of that background paid off. But I had always wanted to try something creative on my own. I just wasn't sure what it was that I wanted to do. I took a part-time job at a printing firm where I learned the importance of working with deadlines as well as how to prepare artwork for reproduction. It also provided me with an income while "testing the waters" in a freelance career.

To find out more about my career needs I read "What Color Is Your Parachute?," which was fun and helpful, too. I learned that I liked working on my own ideas, (and had lots of them), that I enjoyed creative projects, and also that I like combining several skill areas I had such as painting, writing and calligraphy.

I thought greeting cards sounded like a good possibility, so I attended the National Stationery Show, held in New York during May each year. I got a feel for the industry and made some initial contacts with companies I admired. From there my contacts were mostly by mail. An extremely helpful resource is "Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market Handbook," which is updated yearly. The process of submitting work for review is simple, but you need to be patient. This is how I began building my new career in the greeting card industry, one card at a time. I had considered publishing and selling my own lines of greeting cards, but I quickly learned that the financial investment was something I couldn't afford. Plus the time it takes to oversee the manufacturing and selling of my work was time I'd rather spend doing something I do well - and that's designing. So I approached established companies to publish and represent my greeting cards.

When I felt the time was right to go for it full-time, I first....

• Did some research on freelance careers.
• Hired an accountant (to help me set up my business and prepare me for taxes).
• Hired a lawyer ( to help advise me regarding contracts).
• Joined the Graphic Artists' Guild (they have health insurance programs and much good advice) and some other artists' groups. (It can get lonely working by yourself).
• These support services helped me in areas that I knew were important, but didn't know much about.

Now, in addition to greeting cards, I design and license T-shirts, prints and posters, various stationery products and house wares. I also developed several books and calendars. My business grew one little job at a time. Now, I have full fledged design company with a dozen employees and more work than I can handle, so I feel that I have found a good "niche" for myself.

The following is a list of recommended resources that can help you launch your career.

Organizations:

Graphic Artists Guild
90 John St., Rm. 403
New York, NY 10038
212-791-3400; Fax 212-791-0333
www.gag.org

Greeting Card Association
1156 – 15th Street, NW, Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-393-1778
www.greetingcard.org

Trade Shows:

George Little Management
10 Bank St.
White Plains, NY 10606-1954
800-272-SHOW
www.glmshows.com

GLM hosts the Surtex Show for designers, the National Stationery Show (held annually in May), and the International gift Fairs - (January & August). Call for information and exact dates. Attending these shows is a great way for artists to check out the industry and target possible companies to approach.

Publications:

What Color Is Your Parachute?
Richard Nelson Bolles, Mark Emery Bolles
Ten Speed Press

Graphic Artists Guild Handbook
Graphic Artists Guild U.S., Rachel Burd (Editor)
Pricing and Ethical Guidelines

The Complete Guide to Greeting Card Design & Illustration
Eva Szela
North Light Books

Artists & Graphic Designer's Market: Where & How to sell your Illustration, Fine Art, Graphic Design & Cartoons
by Mary Cox (Editor)
This invaluable listing of publishing companies is updated every year and includes names and addresses of creative directors as well as what types of artwork they are looking for. Greeting Card Design

Licensing Art & Design
Caryn Leland
Allworth Press, NY, NY

I hope this information has been of some help. I wish you much success in making your dreams come true. Remember, the sky's the limit when your heart's in it.

All my best!”

Kathy