Illustrator Talk: Georgie Hounsome

http://www.eyecandyillustration.com/home/georgina-hounsome/

 Although Georgie is our lecturer, she also gave us a lecture on being a freelance illustrator and how to properly communicate with a client.

Being part of an agency is good because they will know pricing for you and can negotiate with clients so that you do not get underpaid.

If you are contacting a client through video call, ask for a summary of any details discussed in an email afterwards so that you do not forget important things.

When doing a commissioned piece of work:

1. Do you have the time to complete the commission? 
2. Then talk to the client about the brief with layout and specific details. 
3. Ask them if have a preference for one of your images and how they would like you to style it. 
4. Create the thumbnails within 3 days then client will feedback their thoughts.
5. Research any references you will need for final piece.
6. Send roughs to client then make revisions (this can happen multiple times)
7. Send final piece
8. Sign off email confirming completion of project and customer's satisfaction

This is a very useful template for how a project should go, especially for beginning illustrators like me who have never interacted with a client in this way. It gives a good starting point to base your working time frame on. She also noted that she now works her roughs up to almost finished because it means less work to finish a piece in the final stages of the project when you know the client is happy with the design.


Pricing
An illustrator's hourly rate can be £20-£50 roughly
Work coming from the US or EU is good at the moment for pay

When pricing your work, consider: how it will be used, the area (size), the duration it will be available for (eg. magazine for a week vs a company logo), and exclusivity.

Rejection fees apply if the client cancels their order. These fees are 25% for sketches, 50% for final artwork. (% of agreed price at start of project)

For more information on current pricing and rates, look at the Association of Illustrators website.