Podcast Summary: "Busy? How to Handle Multiple Illustration Projects Like a Pro"

Released on October 15, 2024 by The Good Ship Illustration

Introduction

In this episode of The Good Ship Illustration, hosts Helen Stephens, Katie Chappell, and Tania Willis delve into the challenges illustrators face when juggling multiple projects simultaneously. They share their extensive experience and offer practical strategies to manage deadlines, maintain creativity, and avoid burnout. This comprehensive discussion is invaluable for illustrators seeking to enhance their productivity and sustain a thriving creative career.

Managing Multiple Projects and Deadlines

The conversation begins with addressing the common concern of handling multiple illustration projects at once. Tania Willis emphasizes the importance of not overcommitting:

Tania (00:32): "Don't take on too many. For a start, figure out do you want to do them all at once because the B word illustrator's burnout."

Helen Stephens concurs, suggesting that managing two or three projects is often feasible without compromising quality or personal well-being.

Avoiding Burnout and Overcommitment

Both Helen and Tania discuss the pitfalls of taking on too many projects, highlighting the risk of burnout and the potential need to charge lower rates when stretched too thin. Tania shares her personal approach of avoiding long-term commitments:

Tania (00:54): "I don't like to have too many lined up, partly because picture books take ages... I never sign those four book deals and things anymore because it just feels... you're just mapping your life out too far in advance."

Pricing and Rush Fees

Katie Chappell introduces the concept of "rush fees," a strategy to manage last-minute requests without compromising one's schedule or financial stability:

Katie (01:38): "If you really need it, and they really need it now but I'm busy, then I say it's going to cost a lot more because I'm going to have to upset a few other people and I'll do that, but I need a whole lot more money."

Helen adds context from the design industry, likening rush fees to those commonly used in advertising:

Helen (02:15): "Rush Fees and the advertising industry always know about rush fees because they're always coming last minute with newspaper deadlines."

Scheduling and Time Management

A significant portion of the discussion centers on effective scheduling. Helen advocates for proactive scheduling, ensuring that illustrators remain in control of their timelines:

Helen (04:05): "I give them a schedule for when I want to hear back from them... it makes you look professional."

Tania elaborates on setting clear boundaries and maintaining a structured workflow to prevent chaos:

Tania (04:38): "Set some boundaries... exactly. Set boundaries, yeah."

Client Communication and Feedback

Effective communication with clients is pivotal. The hosts stress the necessity of clear, written feedback to avoid misunderstandings:

Helen (10:40): "The best way for me to get feedback is on like a PDF, if they can circle the thing they want changed because that really helps."

Katie highlights the challenges of managing client expectations and ensuring timely responses:

Katie (07:54): "If they start adding it in the email thread, I'm like, I'm going to miss one email and then you're going to come back to me and I'm going to have to redo it again."

Setting Boundaries and Contracts

Establishing firm boundaries through contracts is a recurring theme. Helen emphasizes the importance of having clients commit to deadlines and revisions within the contract:

Helen (12:34): "It's like a marriage and relationships... you can talk to them and just say, you're driving me mad with this, I don't agree with you."

This approach ensures that both parties have clear expectations and reduces the likelihood of endless revisions.

Tools and Techniques

The discussion touches upon the use of project management tools like Trello to organize and schedule multiple projects effectively. Tania expresses interest in learning more about Katie's use of such tools to enhance scheduling efficiency.

Differences in Publishing Sectors

The hosts compare the dynamics of different publishing sectors, noting that educational nonfiction may operate more systematically compared to the creative and often unpredictable nature of picture book publishing. Helen shares her experience working on a children's encyclopedia, highlighting the extensive coordination required:

Helen (16:53): "We almost did the whole book in roughs before we got the sign off for each rough and going on to final artwork."

Notable Quotes

• Tania (00:32): "Don't take on too many. For a start, figure out do you want to do them all at once because the B word illustrator's burnout."
• Katie (01:38): "If you really need it, and they really need it now but I'm busy, then I say it's going to cost a lot more..."
• Helen (04:05): "I give them a schedule for when I want to hear back from them... it makes you look professional."
• Helen (10:40): "The best way for me to get feedback is on like a PDF, if they can circle the thing they want changed..."
• Helen (12:34): "It's like a marriage and relationships... you can talk to them and just say, you're driving me mad with this, I don't agree with you."

Conclusions and Final Thoughts

By the episode's end, the hosts reinforce the importance of proactive management, clear communication, and setting firm boundaries to handle multiple illustration projects successfully. They encourage illustrators to adopt professional scheduling practices, utilize project management tools, and assertively negotiate terms that protect their creative integrity and personal well-being. Ultimately, the discussion serves as a valuable guide for illustrators aiming to navigate the complexities of a busy creative career without compromising on quality or passion.

Join The Good Ship Illustration community for more insights, support, and no-nonsense advice to sail smoothly through your illustration career.