Weedens.

Nick Weeden is a chartered accountant who has been working with the AOI and helping illustrators for over a decade.  He has a specialist understanding of illustrators` needs and an excellent approach to explaining accountancy to those starting out, as well as helping established illustrators with more complex requirements.  Nick will offer an hours free consultation which can cover general business advice, bookkeeping, tax of all kinds, accounts – and with a sympathetic ear!  For more information, and to book your free session email Nick direct.

Ward Williams Creative.

Whether you are operating as a sole trader or working via a Limited Company, Ward Williams Creative are specialists for freelancers working in the creative industries. Assisting illustrators with the compliance side of the business is just one aspect of the job. The team are passionate about helping grow your business and are on hand with tailored tax planning and wealth of industry knowledge.

Situated in the heart of London (Primrose Street, EC2A 2EX), the team are happy to meet at our offices or come to you (it’s always nice to get out of the office!).

Ward Williams are pleased to offer a free introductory consultation, and a 20% discount off your first year’s fees as a member of AOI. Quote #THECREATIVELIFE for the discount to apply.

Feel free to get in touch with either Erin Walls or Tom Kirk on 0203 858 0127 by email for a chat.

Working with our friends at Williamson Carson Insurance Brokers, we have secured discounted rates on a range of business insurance. At a time when many illustrators have pet insurance, but would be left high and dry if their laptop was stolen (or worse, they were had an accident or illness meaning they couldn’t work) these are offers it is hard for an illustrator to go past.

Visit Williamson Carson’s site to find out more about 4 packages especially developed for illustrators including:

Professional Indemnity:

Professional indemnity insurance covers you for compensation you have to pay to your clients or any other third parties because of problems with your work. Including but not limited to:

Breach of any duty to use reasonable care and skill
Actual or alleged intellectual property infringement, including but not limited to copyright infringement, trademark infringement, trademark dilution, trade dress infringement, any act of passing-off, or any misappropriation of formats, characters, trade names, character names, titles, plots, musical compositions, voices, slogans, graphic material, or artwork.

Public Liability Insurance:

Public liability insurance covers the compensation you would need to pay if a client or member of the public makes a claim against your business for bodily injury or property damage.

Laptops / Tablets:

This package includes cover for laptops and tablets –inside and outside the home or studio inside the UK.

Personal Accident:

The Personal Accident cover will pay out up to £10K per year if you are unable to work due to an accident.

Bikini Lists is a marketing service for Illustrators and creatives helping you reach more clients and commissioners.  We’ve got a cracking discount for AOI members – just follow this link.

Our friends at Bloosmbury have offered AOI members 35% off these books – a fantastic deal.

Becoming a Successful Illustrator

Co Authored by the AOI’s very own Derek Brazell! This updated second edition contains practical tips on how to seek work, how to market yourself and how to run your illustration business in an enterprising way, with advice that will prove useful long after your first commission. Building on the resources of the first edition, this continues to be the must-have guide to practicing professionally as an illustrator. Click here to buy.

The Power And Influence Of Illustration

Delving into the rationale behind influential communication, The Power And Influence Of Illustration helps you understand how to work with a message to create convincing illustrations for your audience.  Click here to buy.

History of Illustration

History of Illustration covers image-making and print history from around the world, spanning from the ancient to the modern. Hundreds of color images show illustrations within their social, cultural, and technical context, while they are ordered from the past to the present. Readers will be able to analyze images for their displayed techniques, cultural standards, and ideas to appreciate the art form. Click here to buy.