1. How does publishing work?
I want to know more about the process of publication and the internal workings of a publishing company. I think that this would improve my illustrations as I would know the distribution and printing process that they will venture through, post production. I think working within publishing could also be a potential career opportunity. I'd love to actually visit a publishing house or speak to a publisher as part of my professional practice in order to answer this question.
2. How do I approach a publisher?
I've read books, articles and online resources telling me 'what the publisher wants', but they all have different answers. I will speak to illustrators and attend Big Heads talks in search of answers. I will approach the publishers myself and find out. A process of trial and error may be the only way to find out for myself, learning which publishers appreciate my work and which publishers I would like to work with.
3. How do I make decisions?
I really struggle to make decisions and when I do, I feel drowned in regret and anxiety as I worry that I've made the wrong choice. I need to learn this basic life skill and quickly. This is more of a personal goal but it continuously affects my studies, so I hope to find a solution before the end of this course. I expect to find an answer through practicing different methods and strategies. I expect this again to be a case of trial-and-error as I find what works best for me and I learn from my own mistakes.
4. How do I get my work 'out there'?
We've discussed the downfalls of social media in the self-obsessed, trend-obsessed, consumerist age. This has left me feeling a little lost. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to get my work seen if I don't post it on the internet. I suppose the answer is about controlled social networking and a professional online presence. I have a website in progress, but I don't know whether to aim it at my audience or my clients. I need to conduct further research into the professional practice of other illustrators to find out the best way to expand the reach of my work.
5. How can I gain confidence in my work?
I am confident in speaking, but I am not confident about my work. I am always worried that I could have done more and therefore don't think my work is good enough. How do I stop thinking of my peers as competition? I think that the solution is to loosen up and enjoy myself on this course. I will only find confidence once I have stopped worrying and that requires a much lower level of anxiety. Much easier said than done, but that's something I am always working on. I am my own work in progress.
6. What is the relationship between illustrator and author?
I want to tell stories through both of these roles. Should I focus singularly on being an illustrator within this course? Can I be both at the same time? The answer, I suppose, is in my own mind. I can be whatever I want to be and this course is what I make of it, but I think that speaking to students in Level 5/6 will help me to understand what the course has made of them and how they have collaborated with other artists.
7. Can I survive as a freelance illustrator alone? Do I need an agent?
This is a personal decision that I think will grant different answers depending on who I ask. This question asks more about how I work best. Although speaking to professional illustrators will inform my choice, It may take some self-reflection to conclude this decision for myself. This isn't a matter of priority right now and is something to think about later in my career.
8. I would like to go into FE/HE teaching. How do I get there?
Speak to your tutors! They are doing just what you're thinking about. Ask them and you'll find their answer, but your career path doesn't necessarily have to follow the exact same route. There are always different ways around the block, but you are heading for the same destination so they are the ideal people to speak to.
9. WHAT IS TAX? I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
I'm a child and I never want to grow up. I need to learn about tax, invoices, payments etc. I hope that the PPP section of this course will guide me in some way, teaching me about these formalities, but there are also plenty of online resources and library books explaining these terms. I think that professional illustrators might be able to help too because they will have experienced these struggles before.
10. How can I manage my time more efficiently?
There are various ways of managing time and this is another question that goes back to WHAT WORKS FOR ME. It may be a trial and error system until I find the 'right' method for me, but there are plenty of resources online documenting effective ways of managing time. I can always speak to Student Advice if I need additional support with this. I can make timetables and continue using my diary to plan my time.
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