The art of Mohammed Agbadi

i had a really good time at eccc y'all.

Go to EVERY illustration-related event in your area. If you’re in NYC, go to as many Society of Illustrator events as you can, and meet and network there - Definitely go to major events like the Annual awards ceremonies, the American Illustration Party, etc. and just meet up with people! It doesn’t even necessarily have to be art directors (although you SHOULD be on the lookout for them) maybe just illustrators/artists you admire. it’s a good idea to (as tactfully and respectfully as possible) find out what their faces look like :)

If you have trouble just talking to strangers, which I admittedly DO, find a friend that’s outgoing and STICK WITH THEM. There have been many times where I’ve just tagged along with a friend and watched them network like a social bug. And after they exchange business cards, swoop in and say “Hey, I’m an illustrator too! Here’s my card as well!” I have shamelessly done this on multiple occasions.

Go to conventions, art festivals, portfolio reviews, whatever and wherever people that do what you want to do congregate, insert yourself into their circles. Just don’t be a jerk about it. It usually helps to gush at them, everyone likes some praise.

AND, if you’re in school, that’s the ultimate networking resource you have. There are very few situations in which you will be forced into an environment with other like-minded individuals and professionals. Find out which teachers are actively working in the industry and in the field that you want to work in, and STAY IN CONTACT with them. If you take their class, it behooves you to do your best work in it and impress them. A teacher always loves to see a student of theirs succeed, and if they’re ready, more likely than not they’ll hook them up with jobs / connections. I owe my very first couple jobs out of school to my teachers!

Upload your work EVERYWHERE. On every social media platform. I’ve had clients find me through every single platform I’ve showcased my work on, including Tumblr, Instagram, Behance, etc. 

And finally, all that other jazz of sending promotional emails, postcards, stickers, whatever to get the attention of prospective clients. Just make people aware that you exist, it’s a hustle!

For more info on all those questions you may have about illustrating that no one seems to be able to answer / want to answer, I highly recommend checking out dearartdirector.tumblr.com.

It’s definitely difficult, and I’m not the best for advice on stuff like this. But that’s what I can give you, from my personal experience and from listening to other friends and illustrators and what they’ve had to say on it. Ultimately, before you can scrape a living off of it, you have to be at a level that’s “professional.” It’s pretty nebulous, and we all tend to be very self-critical, but I think there’s a threshold at which point you have to recognize that you can stand up to the competition.