Folio Advice from Agents Members  

Representing illustrators and showcasing them to potential clients is a significant part of every agent?s role, and as experienced professionals they have developed a good sense of what images are required in an artist?s portfolio and the range those images should cover.

We talked to agents from three AOI Member illustration agencies; The Artworks and Studio Pi based in the UK, and Anna Goodson Agency in Canada, asking them what they consider the most important things to consider for your portfolio and why they?d recommend that that an illustrator attracts a wide range of potential commissioners.

?Being aware of which areas your work is more or less suited to can be helpful to determine how to prioritise your marketing efforts,? says Sing Yun Lee, Senior Illustration Agent at Studio Pi, ?However, to have too limited a focus can reduce your opportunities for meaningful collaboration and creative partnership. Clients and art directors can often see potential for artists? work in a different way to the creator, and it can be revealing and rewarding to invite that different perspective into your practice, even if what you learn is that you would rather not work on a commission like that again. In the best cases, a client or an agent can have ambitions and a vision for your work that complements and even enhances your own, and that can lead to a more fruitful career on all counts.? 

?There?s no reason to stick to just one market,? agrees Anna Goodson, Founder of her namesake agency, ?The more clients you go after the better your chance at finding work.  I would however suggest that illustrators focus on perfecting one style of illustration rather than focusing on more than one. Choose the style you like most and stick to it.?