How to hire an illustrator - Part 1

In this first post I’m going to look at how to commission an illustrator and the kind of things you need to consider, and share, with an illustrator.

As illustrators, we want to make the entire process smooth for everyone involved and develop a great working relationship. We want to create amazing work that fulfils your needs. It’s therefore important to understand how the illustrator you want to hire works.

There is no fixed price for illustrations. Each illustration project is unique in its specification, complexity, and timescale. You are also commissioning based on knowledge and expertise.

When you are commissioning, illustrators need a clear brief (an outline) of what you are looking for in the project. Understanding your project and timescale is important as a 32 page children’s book cannot be composed and illustrated in 5 weeks if you are expecting a high quality product.

Illustrators are skilled in project management and meeting deadlines, but we may also be booked up for weeks/months in advance, so it’s always important to discuss expectations of project deadlines early on. Illustrators are used to clients asking questions, and clarifying anything that you may not understand.

These are the key areas of information that I need to know when discussing a project:

• What do you need illustrated? (What is it? Who is it for?)

• How many illustrations do you need?

• What you’ll be using the illustrations for. (An illustrator will quote based on their usage and application)

• When do you need the illustrations completed?

• Are there any printing specifications I need to know for set up?

• A rough idea of your working budget helps.

I hope you have found this first post helpful.

My next blog post will focus on illustrator quotes.