25 May 2015
Summer is coming and we are already eager to go to the beach and enjoy some sun! We are sure you are too, and we believe the best way to enjoy is knowing you got a great portfolio website getting clients while you relax and enjoy the sun.
That's why we are launching a special -50% discount code TOTHEBEACH on our PRO plan. But it is limited to the first 10 people who use the discount code, so hurry up or you will lose this chance!
04 May 2015
As you know, we are planning to integrate Drawfolio with other platforms so you can save time and create yourself more opportunities via Internet.
This means working with social networks, and we decided to first work with Instagram, one of the most used by all our users. Instagram is the perfect place to grow expectation and show the daily process of creating your illustrations.
Connecting your Instagram account to your portfolio website in Drawfolio is easy-peasy: just go to "Synchronization" > "Instagram", fill in your Instagram username, save changes, and a new gallery with your latest Instagram pictures will appear on your site.
Default name on the navigation menu for this gallery is "My Instagram", but you can change it on the "Menu and Navigation" section.
This integration is only available for users in our PRO Plan. Don't wait more and upgrade your account now!
For any doubt, question, suggestion or problem, please contact us at uservoice or write us at [email protected].
28 Apr 2015
In today's interview, we talked with Paula García. Paula is a designer and illustrator, and a PRO customer from Drawfolio. Paula has developed a unique style that easily connects with the public, and she sells a lot of products with her designs and illustrations on a variety of online platforms. She will be giving us some advice on how to be successful on that.
How did you got into design and illustration?
I always liked drawing since I was a kid, and although it seemed I would end studying Fine Arts at College, I really got into computers that finally got me into Graphic Design.
During my degree I got in contact with illustration but didn't discover that it could become a profession for me until years later.
You achieved something very difficult, which is having a unique style while keeping it versatile and accessible. How did you got there? What does inspire you?
To achieve that style I had to walk through tons of different ones! Pieces by me from two or three years ago seem like they were done by a different person.
The way I draw now it's a mix brewed from trying a lot of different styles for a long time, and sticking to one where I was comfortable and didn't feel like changing (a lot).
TV shows (more even than films), music and videogames are a great inspiration for me and got into the way I illustrate for sure.
We know heavy metal is an important part of your life and work. How do you think music and illustration are related to each other?
Music is definitely very important to me, as it is for a lot of people. In the end, this always influences you in some way. Sometimes you are listening to a track while drawing and you can't help evoking a scene that ends into your illustration, counciously or not. A lot of the illustrations from my final degree project were made that way.
Besides doing freelance work, you sell products with your designs (shirts, badges, etc) on a variety of online platforms. Is it possible for an illustrator to earn extra income that way? Any advise to illustrators beginning their way with that business model?
It is definitely a great opportunity to earn income that way. I would recommend to have profiles on the main online platforms such as Redbubble, Camaloon, T-agged, Society6 and constantly updating them with new projects. It can be months until you get your first sales, but if you keep pushing they will grow eventually.
Which role do social networks and personal projects play when building your own personal brand
Social networks are a must for getting yourself known and create job opportunities. It is a job itself because you really have to invest a lot of time on promoting yourself, but it really pays off. Working on personal projects when you got downtime helps make your portfolio better and improving your style.
And last, but not least: any advice for aspiring illustrators just starting up their careers?
I'm a bit pessimistic sometimes, and the best advice I was given was to be patient and don't feel down if I didn't see inmediate results. If you think your work is good, be confident and start showing it everywhere. Build a website, a Facebook page, a blog... you don't know where the great opportunities are going to come from!
Thanks a lot Paula!
21 Apr 2015
Aside from working on improving Drawfolio, we always try to find good deals for you on stuff than can make your career success: workshops, events, other products, etc. This time we talked with the great team at Thrive Solo to get you this exclusive 30% discount for 1 year coupon code:
SOLODRAW30
Based on United Kingdom, the great guys at Thrive have built Solo (and its version for agencies: Team) with a mission in mind: to help freelance artists to stop undercharging their clients. To achieve this, they built a web application where managing projects, clients, invoices, expenses, quotes is extremely easy, and where you can measure the time you devote to each client and project.
With Solo, all the difficult tasks involving invoicing and clients become painless. We really think the Thrive team has built a great, unique and nearly artistic user experience that gives you a bird view on the day-to-day state of your personal freelance business.
You can try Thrive Solo during 15 days for free, and also get a 30% discount with our coupon code above. Start getting your freelance work profitable!
16 Apr 2015
Time to continue with our series of interviews! This time we talked with Neil Swaab. Neil is a freelance illustrator, art director, cartoonist, and writer based in Brooklyn, NY. He works on a great range of illustration and design projects, specially on the book and publishing sector. He has worked with clients such as Algonquin Books, Fleishman-Hillard, HarperCollins, AdultSwin/Comedy Central or Cartoon Network. He also runs Business of Illustration, a blog we just love, where he writes about the business side of things to teach aspiring illustrators how to kick-start their career successfully.
Where did the road to become a successful illustrator began for you?
I studied illustration in college and then began pursuing it immediately after I graduated. It took a long time (7 years) before I was able to do it full-time for myself. In the meantime, I worked as a designer and illustrated on evenings and weekends.
A big chunk of your work is on book covers. How did you end specializing on that? What does a project
need for you to be comfortable and happy with it?
Soon after college, I landed a job as a designer at HarperCollins, a large US publisher. That gave me a good understanding of the inner workings of the publishing industry and also provided a lot of contacts and education. When I left HarperCollins, I started to do freelance cover design for other publishers as well as illustrating the occasional book. Eventually, I started to get known in that area and book covers ended up being my bread and butter.
For me to be happy with a project, I need to feel like I’ve exhausted all of my options and truly settled on the one thing that I feel is the best. I like to explore a lot when I’m working on a project and never feel right about it if I haven’t looked at every variation.
You run a blog, "Business of Illustration", where you stress the importance of the bussiness side of things when building an art/illustration career. Do you think illustrators tend to neglect this, and why?
Not successful illustrators. You can’t be successful without knowing all of this stuff and all the best illustrators do. The blog is really more for aspiring illustrators and people at the early stages of their careers who are just trying to figure this all out. There’s not a lot of information about the business of illustration out there, so I wanted to create a resource that would have all the basic things an illustrator should know.
You just released a middle-grade book you both wrote and draw. Can you tell us more about this project, and where does it come from?
Yes, it’s a book that teaches kids how to get through middle school by doing some…let’s just say “dubious" things. It’s part novel and part guidebook, with tons of illustrations and comics. The book will be published on September 1st, 2015 through Abrams Amulet. I’m so excited for it. I’ve poured every bit of myself into it and think it’s such a cool, unique book. There will also be a follow-up to the book in 2016!
And last, but not least: any advice for aspiring illustrators just starting up their careers?
Talent only gets you so far. You’ve got to have drive and ambition. Keep working and putting in the hours and eventually you’ll get there.
Thanks a lot Neil!
