#len small

New Magazine Cover #35:

Columbia, Spring/Summer 2020.

Armando Veve (b. 1989) is an illustrator working in Philadelphia. His drawings have been recognized by American Illustration, Communication Arts, Spectrum and awarded two gold medals from the Society of Illustrators. He was named an ADC Young Gun by The One Club for Creativity and selected to the Forbes 2018 30 under 30 list.

Where did you first learn about ICON?

I first learned of ICON as an illustration student at the Rhode Island School of Design. ICON was hosted in Providence while I was studying there. 

Tell us about the best part of your ICON experience.

Working with Len and Julie on the ICON poster is an experience I am grateful for; they were so incredibly generous as collaborators. Also, I got to meet so many people I knew online but hadn’t yet had the chance to meet in person.  I met so many new people through ICON that I continue to stay in touch with, some of whom have become collaborators. ICON is large, but it's also a very intimate experience. 

How has your experience with ICON impacted your creative career? 

I received work as a direct result from conversations I had with art directors and illustrators at ICON. And I'm finally about to wrap up an almost year-long project that started as a conversation at ICON. 

I left ICON with a greater sense of community in our field. 

Any advice for ICON first-timers?

Len Small is the Art Director for Nautilus magazine and graphic designer. These are the notes that I took from his workshop.

Part 1: Art Directors Have Problems

How to get work

referrals from peers and ADs that know you and your work

competition annuals

inter-webs

Illustration Age

American Illustration

awards/competitions

(e)mailers

don’t send links to google drives/dropbox

go ahead and attach small images to email

postcards

send emails or mailers every 2-3 months, it keeps you in the mind of ADs and to show your latest work

Part 2

The job

are you available? Be honest if you are to busy don’t take on more then you can chew

does the budget work? Be nice if the budget is not what you are expecting, ask if there is more available but don’t cause a fuss

do you understand the assignment? If not, ask questions, better to understand then to get it wrong

when is it due?

The work

a voice

         -speak outside the basics

        -draw a relationship to the subject

        -draw a parallel story

        -don’t draw a desk and computer for business piece

        -does the sketch give a clear concept without a statement to explain it?

the AD is part of a team, there are many opinions

deliver the final early, even if it’s a couple of hours early. It will be noted when you deliver early. Delivering at the end of a day makes it difficult for the AD to ask for changes or move it on through the process

keep your emails in a thread, it makes it easier for the AD to follow what has been passed between you

Good director goes bad

stories get pulled, it’s not your fault

but what if it is me?

        -ideas may not be working

        -suggest a phone call to the AD to discuss the problem

        -it’s ok to say “it’s not working”

        -believe the AD when they say they will contact you at another time

        -don’t stop contacting them

Part 3: The Good Stuff

Promos

postcards that kill

unique mailers

handwritten notes

State of industry

web publications

Nautilus along with other magazines have in-house illustrators

digital knowledge important

motion is getting more prevalent

Dos/Don’ts

don’t assume anything

don’t send work at the end of the day

don’t talk bad about the AD on social media

don’t use type unless you are a pro

don’t mail to a personal address

be courteous and reply back, regardless if you take the job or not

send your W9

Meeting with ADs

personal appointment, more inclined to hire after meeting face to face. Don’t forget to leave behind something

WEARING TWO HATS: ILLUSTRATORS WHO DESIGN, DESIGNERS WHO ILLUSTRATE

A panel discussion sponsored by the Society of Publication Designers and Society of Illustrators, February 24 in NYC.

The event will be moderated by Len Small, art director of Nautilus magazine, and will include: Carlos Zamora, Deanna Donegan, Martin Gee, Matt Dorfman, Melinda Beck, and Stephen Doyle (artwork featured top to bottom).

My latest American Illustration Profiles interview is with Nautilus magazine art director Len Small.