Friday, January 2, 2009

SELF PROMOTION and IF:RESOLVE

The SCBWI Florida Chapter is having a conference the middle of this month. I am so excited about this conference. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow illustrators and get a first look at the industry. In addition to attending a few workshops, I signed up for a portfolio critique and I am also exhibiting my portfolio. I was apprehensive about signing up for the exhibit without having the critique, but without exposure, there’s no way to know how good I am. So I will take my chances and have my work out for everyone to see!

The next two weeks are all about getting ready for the conference. It is my resolve to spend this first half of the month on fine tuning my portfolio and working on some self-promotion pieces. I have made some progress and the first piece of self-promotion I worked on is my business card. 

A few months ago I printed my first set of cards with Psprint.com, and I was very pleased with their quality, price and turn around time. I received great feedback on the cards and now I am running low and decided it was a good time to revamp what I already had.

New Front
I changed the spot illustration on the front for an image that was more dynamic and full of energy and representative of the style I wanted to be working with.I left my name on the front and what I do so that anyone looking at the front understands it.
I also think the boy shows determination and resolve to have fun on his scooter which fits IF's theme perfectly!

I left the back of the card untouched. I listed all of my contact information and repeated my name and what I do to make it simpler for people reading the card. Otherwise, they’d have to flip the card to be able to read my name (yes, I’m funny about things like that).



TIP: If you are designing your own business card, my recommendation is to keep it simple but include key information such as who you are (name/company/title), what you do and how to contact you. If you are an illustrator, definitely include an image of your work! This image needs to be simple since it will be rather small and it needs to have great impact. A character or a spot illustration would be a great start. A two-sided card would make it easier to fit all information and have your spot illustration stand out more. On the back list all contact information. Don’t forget your website and your e-commerce site if you have one!

I’ll be writing about post cards next week...



16 comments:

valerie walsh said...

Good for you and a great way to start a new year in a positive way! I know you will do great :)

Gai said...

great work. look forward to hearing how it all went for you. your information on business cards is very helpful too.

INDIGENE said...

What a positive image! I look forward to coming back and hearing all about the conference!

Tom Barrett said...

Great choice of image for your card. Enjoy the conference. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

Everything looks wonderful and I know that you are going to have a wonderful time at SCBWI! We are having ours next month. I will not be attending this year. You do such wonderful work! I really enjoy looking at your illustrations. I think you are doing right by putting your time into putting your portfolio together. It took me a few weeks to put mine together. I can't wait to hear all the wonderful new when you come back. Have a safe trip.

Carli said...

great job Edrian! the cards look wonderful. I think you picked the perfect illustration for the front.

vanya'sArt said...

I like to visit your great blog for your beautiful art.And I also appreciate that you take the time to give your readers valuable business information.I wish you a happy and successful New Year.

Carmen Saldaña said...

So beautiful your bussines card...I agree with you, I think is very important to have a representative one.
Tus dibujos son muy bonitos, el de Rambunctious me encanta!
Gracias por tu comentario :-)

adrienne trafford said...

this is wonderful - you are so talented - i love to look at all the illustrations for your book as well - they are amazing! good luck at your conference...

Juan said...

Wonderful piece Edrian!
Happy New Year!

Bella Sinclair said...

Edrian, I just love this little boy and all the colors. It looks very clean and bright. The smile on my face is as big as his! Good luck with the conference and portfolio. And thanks for posting about your journey. It's fascinating following you through the process.

fashion fucsia said...

The boy is adorable, I like the colors of your illo. Good Luck!!!

studio lolo said...

I used to attend SCBWI conferences way back when they first started. I should really get back into it! As a matter of fact they were just SCBW for a long time.
I love your resolve and the fresh start to the new year. Good for you! You may also want to check out Vista Print. They have great deals and usually freebies :)

theartofpuro said...

Thanks for the comment,

your illo is great and it's true is dynamic and your idea for resolve is good,good luck with your portfolio

Like the new layout page

FrankenBarry said...

Great looking card! Best of luck at the SCBWI conference... those are always a good time.

Eric Barclay said...

Great card! I love how cheerful the kid looks on his scooter.

I bet nobody will ever throw that one away or use it to put their used gum in. :-O

Happy 2009!