Starting Your Career As an Illustrator

From the first steps of starting out up through succeeding as a professional, Fleishman's newest guide navigates how illustration ties concept and technique. From advice on education and finding the right state of mind, through opening shop and finding the right venue, Starting Your Career as an Illustrator is a bit of a technical how-to, something of a business book, certainly an inspirational work, definitely a professional overview, even a personal lifestyle guide. It accurately documents the eclectic adventures of illustrators now, as well as relating historical perspectives, motivations, and inspirations to balance that picture and present readers with a true global field experienceall in an accessible, reader-friendly style. Topics include how to:

Create a portfolio
Make initial contacts
Develop a financial plan
Set up an office
Acquire supplies and equipment
Price your own work
Market on the Web
Nurture a growing freelance business
And much more

Through direct and candid conversations with scores of professionals up and down the career ladder, this book offers rich perspectives of illustrators (and their cohorts) at and away from the drawing board. It looks at the strong threads tying professional and academic process, practice, and product, and offers extensive research, a global pool of resources, and a wide panorama of info that promotes problem solving by way of a spectrum of ideas. Over fifty illustrations are included throughout.

Michael Fleishman is a freelance illustrator, graphic artist, and teacher of the commercial arts with over thirty years of experience. He has been a contributor to various trade publications and has authored six books on illustration, design, and creativity. He has served on the board of directors for ICON6 and as the president of the at-large chapter of the Graphic Artists Guild, and currently lives in Milford, DE, with his wife.