Not a Hobby
Illustration is major contributor to the cultural economy. Brands, businesses and individuals recognise its value to sell products and ideas and engage their audience. It is one of the fastest growing undergraduate courses. The success of the illustration business is undeniable.
But the business of illustration – day to day negotiation, business planning, cash flow, marketing – is too often overlooked by illustrators. This campaign addresses that. It’s time for an overhaul – it’s time to invest in our skills, our businesses and ourselves.
What do we want to achieve?
- We want to see all illustrators confidently pricing their work and managing their businesses successfully.
- We want illustrators around the world to earn a fair income.
- We want to see everyone (commissioners, clients and creatives) understanding and respecting licensing, contracts and fair pay.
- We recognise the rise in mental health in our industry, and want to address this.
Succeeding Together
Illustrators!
Invest 1 hour in your own business development each day. Let us know how you are improving online, use the hashtag #NotAHobby
As part of this campaign we’ve developed a range of NEW tools and resources to help you do this:
- Read our informative Illustration Tips & Insights from Illustrators, Agents & Commissioners.
- Write and refresh your business plan – Book a Consultation or use our resource.
- Develop good relations and fair terms by learning contract and client negotiation – Contact the AOI.
- Invest in your wellbeing – Read our mental health resource.
- Consider how much you want to earn this year and what it will take to reach it.
- Understand the factors that go into calculating licence fees – Use our Pricing Calculator.
- Overhaul your portfolio communication – Book a Portfolio Consultation.
- Check out our NEW and updated AOI resources.
- Share the AOI’s Code of Conduct for Illustrators with peers and commissioners.
- Take advantage of our AOI Member Discounts.
Tutors!
- Many graduates feel lost when it comes to their business and are not industry ready. Work with AOI to overhaul your professional practise modules.
- Get in touch with us to book a Business Masterclass for your students at all levels.
- Fight for wellbeing to be meaningfully included in your course.
Agents!
- Be transparent about client contracts and negotiations with your rosters.
- Bad practice from a client? Contact the AOI so we can help you take action to address the issues while protecting your relationships.
- Continue to make sure your artists are mentally well.
Commissioners!
- Fully understand your company’s relationship with illustrators.
- Understand contracts, payment terms, copyright requirements and challenge it where you would not accept it yourself.
- Consider how you and your organisation can support freelancers’ wellbeing.
Share our Campaign!
In order to really move our industry forward we need to work together and get this message outside of our own bubbles so we can truly reach everyone. Let’s flood social platforms with informative and inspirational insights, celebrating the business of illustration. Use the hashtag #NotAHobby.
We’ve got the following assets for you to use and share with your peers and clients:
- Download our Campaign image by illustrator Cathal Duane
- AOI Code of Conduct for Illustrators
Together we can achieve this – if we all take Action.
- Empower! Ourselves, and our community.
- Celebrate! Our achievements and our industry.
- Protect! Our rights and our earnings.
- Progress! Our industry.
- Challenge! Our commissioners and ourselves, to do better.
Keep in touch
This is a campaign that we feel very passionate about. We are a small team who are working as best as we can with our resources. Many members and industry peers have fed into the campaign, and the development of the insights and resources – and it is stronger for that. For any and all constructive feedback, please get in touch.
Campaign illustration by Cathal Duane
