Podcast Summary: The Good Ship Illustration
Episode: Illustrator vs Artist: What’s the Difference? + Creating Your Portfolio 🥳
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Introduction
In this engaging episode of The Good Ship Illustration, hosts Helen Stephens, Katie Chappell, and Doyle dive deep into two pivotal topics for illustrators and artists alike: the distinction between being an illustrator versus an artist, and strategies for creating a compelling portfolio. Drawing from their vast collective experience of over 70 years in the illustration industry, they offer invaluable insights for both emerging and seasoned creatives navigating their careers.
Developing an Illustrative Portfolio
Transitioning from Fine Art to Illustration
The conversation begins with a listener question at [00:25], where Helen asks, "How do you develop an illustrative portfolio to break into the market if you have mostly fine art examples?"
Katie responds at [00:34], emphasizing the importance of setting personal projects that align with one's interests and desired illustration niche:
“Set yourself some projects that you like that you would want to do... design a project for yourself and work to the demands of that brief.” – Katie [00:34]
Identifying Personal Interests and Causes
Doyle adds at [01:03] the significance of infusing personal passions into portfolio projects:
“Just brainstorm a load of stuff you're really, really into... maybe support Greenpeace or... causes and charities.” – Doyle [01:03]
Katie further elaborates at [01:10], reinforcing the idea of integrating personal causes or memories:
“Make a list of all the stuff that you're into and you've always been into... make projects around those.” – Katie [01:32]
Specializing vs. Being a Generalist
At [03:12], Katie advises against being a generalist to save time and energy:
“It's probably a good idea not to be a generalist. Don't be everything to everyone... use your obsessional language to make them interesting.” – Katie [03:12]
Helen concurs, suggesting proactive portfolio development:
“Figure out what you want to do and do some before somebody asks you to. You don't have to wait to be asked.” – Helen [02:50]
Illustrator vs. Artist: Understanding the Difference
Defining Roles
The hosts explore the blurred lines between illustrators and artists. Doyle suggests a spectrum rather than distinct categories:
“A scale of artist and illustrator. You can be anywhere along that line... you just choose your own label.” – Doyle [11:53]
Katie expands on the evolving nature of these roles:
“The titles make a lot of sense anymore... print and pattern has become an area of illustration... the edges have been blurred.” – Katie [13:47]
Autonomy and Commissioned Work
Helen and Doyle discuss the autonomy illustrators have compared to traditional artists:
“Illustrators are being commissioned but they're creating work that gets framed and put on a wall.” – Katie [14:37]
Doyle reflects on personal preferences for autonomy in illustration projects:
“If it's a job where you come up with your own idea and you pursue it to the end, perfect winner.” – Doyle [06:15]
Strategic Labeling for Opportunities
Helen and Katie talk about the strategic use of titles based on desired collaborations:
“If you want to be hired as an illustrator, people are going to search for an illustrator... marketing agency wants to perceive you as an artist... what people see you to be or want you to be.” – Helen [14:37], Katie [15:22]
Creating a Portfolio that Winks at Your Desired Area
Aligning Portfolio with Niche
Katie emphasizes the importance of tailoring your portfolio to the specific illustration field you aim to enter:
“It's worth knowing what area you want to work in to create the portfolio that winks at that particular area to get the jobs in.” – Katie [09:36]
Finding Inspiration in Unusual Places
The hosts encourage looking beyond conventional sources for inspiration and potential job opportunities:
“The great work exists in weird places, doesn't it?... jobs you don't even know exist.” – Katie [09:34], Helen [10:41]
Networking and Research
Katie highlights the role of detective work in identifying potential clients and understanding the market:
“Use your stalking detective work online, take some photographs, see where they come from.” – Katie [11:13]
Personality and Suitability in Illustration Fields
Matching Personality with Illustration Niche
At [07:16], Doyle shares a realization about how their personalities align with their illustration niches:
“All of us are in exactly the area that suits our personalities.” – Doyle [07:16]
Katie adds that articulating these alignments becomes clearer through discussion and comparison:
“When we all started chatting about illustration... everyone perceives it entirely differently because of our experience in different fields.” – Katie [07:37]
Balancing Passion and Practicality
Enduring the Challenges
Doyle discusses the balance between passion and the inevitable challenges in illustration work:
“I love that. Although they're making it sound idyllic and it's not all idyllic. There is some pain involved, but... I like the misery.” – Doyle [09:14 - 09:20]
Managing Work Styles
The hosts acknowledge differing work styles and time management preferences:
“Katie wants it over and done within three hours. She's had enough by then.” **– Helen [09:23]
“I can do two weeks Max. And then I want something new.” – Katie [09:34]
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with a light-hearted discussion, reinforcing the complexity and fluidity of the illustrator and artist roles. Helen and Katie share humorous thoughts about their collaboration and the diverse personalities within illustration fields. They conclude by reiterating the importance of understanding one’s niche, leveraging personal passions, and strategically presenting oneself in the creative market.
Key Takeaways:
- Portfolio Development: Transitioning from fine art to illustration requires setting projects aligned with your desired niche and personal passions.
- Defining Roles: The lines between illustrators and artists are increasingly blurred, allowing for flexibility in labeling based on personal preference and market strategy.
- Specialization: Focusing on a specific illustration area can save time and enhance portfolio coherence, making it easier to attract targeted job opportunities.
- Inspiration and Networking: Look for inspiration in unconventional places and engage in thorough research to identify potential clients and understand market demands.
- Personality Alignment: Your personal interests and work style should guide your choice of illustration niche, ensuring long-term satisfaction and career longevity.
Notable Quotes:
- Katie [00:34]: “Set yourself some projects that you like that you would want to do... design a project for yourself and work to the demands of that brief.”
- Doyle [01:03]: “Just brainstorm a load of stuff you're really, really into... maybe support Greenpeace or... causes and charities.”
- Doyle [11:53]: “A scale of artist and illustrator. You can be anywhere along that line... you just choose your own label.”
- Katie [13:47]: “There's lots of poster work and sites selling posters that are generated specifically to look like art posters in interiors... and illustrators can do loads of work and they can just produce what they want and see if it gets licensed or it's commissioned.”
This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for illustrators aiming to carve out their unique space in the creative industry, offering actionable advice on portfolio creation and clarifying the nuanced differences between illustrators and artists.