• Molly and I have been following each other on Instagram since my first year at LAU, in academic year 16/17.
• She was part of the Student Symposium so it was nice to network professionally and reconnect beyond the student lens.
• I didn't have the opportunity to ask any questions so it was incredibly valuable to connect in this way, having a bit of a background together, and gaining a deeper understanding of her professionalism since graduating.
Transcription:
• How does social media help you find potential clients – do they reach out to you or do you approach them?
A lot of my clients approach me, but with something like editorial that is regularly commissioned it is good to get details of art directors you can contact knowing they consistently have jobs to offer.
• Did you make a client list of who you would like to work with/for?
I did when I was at uni. I think it is a good idea, but it just fell from my head and I don’t really think like that any more. Some of the most fun jobs have been completely unexpected and for brands I wouldn’t have expected to have such exciting visual ideas. But I keep an eye on things and make notes of people to talk to about work.
• Do you feel like Instagram is the best social media platform to present your work, reach out to potentials clients and attract customers?
Yes, but it’s changed a lot since when I was most prolific on there, so I think some of my approaches on it are old, and sometimes the current state of instagram feels disheartening. Regardless, posting can be as quick as you want it to be, I know a lot of people get intimidated by it, but at the end of the day all you can do is do it. I like being able to present the work I make in my life, and my silly thoughts, and finished complete work. I like the holistic approach. Post artwork without fear, everything moves quite transiently, which is both good and bad.
• Do you have a personal website? If so, did you build this yourself?
I do, and I made it through Cargocollective.
• Was your website created whilst at uni or after you graduated?
I first had a website during third year of uni. I think everyone needs a website that can be a more professional front, but this can also be a tumblr page or something. Just something that is clean and big and the pictures can be viewed big on a desktop away from social media.
• Do you have any tips about self-advocating for yourself as a practising illustrator?
Don’t disregard yourself because you are a student or early in your career, i.e. don’t apologise all the time, be direct and confident with your communication with clients. You don’t deserve any worse treatment or money for doing the same job as everyone else!
• Do you have a separate portfolio or do you use your website/ Instagram as a portfolio?
I have both, the website portfolio is a good way to present yourself to clients, and instagram is a good place to get in touch with friends, community, and also customer interest and clients. Have fun with them both!
Summary of answers:
• Social media is greatly beneficial to Molly who can find the details of Art Directors who can help her with consistent commissions and paid work.
• A "client list" (something I was going to do and work from) is great in theory but not practice. Some of the most fun jobs have been completely unexpected.
• It is important to note that Instagram has changed (I have noticed this too on my personal account where I had much more engagement earlier last year and now experience just a fraction of that). It can be intimidating but is great for an immediate documentation of ALL visual work - ideas, in-progress, and completed projects.
• Molly built her website on Cargocollective: https://mollyfairhurst.com
• Molly had a website during her final year. Anything that is clean with pictures has great visual value.
• Be confident and don't over apologise just because you are a student/have just graduated and are early in your career. You deserve work and respect!
• Instagram and your website can both be used as the portfolio to present to clients. Instagram helps to build your community, customer interest, and clients.
Reflection:
There's a lot of valuable information in these answers. I currently use Instagram already to build my community and customer interest and will continue to do so to hopefully get the clients too. I need to start adding in-progress photos and ideas photos as I don't currently have those, only completed and polished works Everything holds value and is part of the journey and people will be interested to see how the canvas is build up. Upon finishing my course/graduation I can start to think about the need for a website. Being confident in what I do is something I need to work on. I need to start considering the art directors and people of note to follow and approach with my work, rather than building up a client list of people to work with.
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