Week 2 - Introduction to Industry Structures

Introduction to Industry Structures

Design Houses

Working in a design house means that you are employed by the company to create images in the house style, the work is not questioned and you pretty much do what you are told. You also give up the rights to your work. You are payed a regular wage and it is usually a 9-5 job.

Freelance

Working for yourself, selling your work independently and securing commissioned work. This means you retain the rights to your work and you can start working for yourself from home.

Here is Stina Jones' blog, a Freelance Illustrator.

http://stinajones.co.uk/blog/

Networks

Building links and relationships with people who can help you in the creative industry. This is how you connect with people and find out what the market is looking for and how you can shape yourself to fit into the market.

linkedin.com is a good website to find people to network with 

Collaboration 

Working with other artists and putting your work together to enhance your portfolio of work, using each others skills to learn from each other.

Below is a post by Christine McMahon working alongside another illustrator on a collaborative piece

http://dribbble.com/shots/661818-first-collaborative-illustration-project-w-Aaron-Lee

Gallery

Exhibiting your work in a gallery allows you to show off and sell your work but the gallery's that you choose to exhibit your work must be relevant to the type of work that you create.

Competitions 

Some competitions can give massive exposure to your work nationally and internationally and may be seen by people high up in the industry who may like your work and who may be able to help you develop your career.