Podcast Summary: The Good Ship Illustration – Episode: "Saying No as an Illustrator: Dropping Projects Can Boost Your Career"
Release Date: February 7, 2025
Introduction
In this enlightening episode of The Good Ship Illustration, hosts Helen Stephens, Katie Chappell, and Tania Willis delve into the crucial yet often challenging skill of saying no within the illustration industry. Titled "Saying No as an Illustrator: Dropping Projects Can Boost Your Career," the episode explores how selectively declining projects can lead to greater career longevity, enhanced creative satisfaction, and improved financial stability for illustrators.
1. Dropping Non-Profitable and Exhausting Projects
The conversation kicks off with Tanya prompting a discussion about instances where the hosts have had to drop projects or aspects of their work that were no longer serving them.
Jerry’s Struggle with the Online Shop
Jerry shares his experience with managing an online shop, highlighting the decision to shut it down despite enjoying certain aspects. “[00:36] Jerry: ...this is probably the thing I enjoy least. Or I at least don't enjoy the bit queuing at the post office.”
He emphasizes how the time invested in managing the shop, coupled with the tedious tasks like trips to the post office and parcel wrapping, outweighed the benefits. This realization led him to prioritize projects that were both enjoyable and financially rewarding.
School Visits: A Love-Hate Relationship
Jerry further discusses his passion for school visits, appreciating the direct interaction with children and the joy of sharing stories. However, he points out the significant downsides: lengthy travel, low compensation, and the logistical challenges exacerbated by lockdowns. “[01:18] Jerry: ...I just couldn't do them because they’re exhausting and you don't get paid enough.”
Tanya’s Reflections on School Visit Drawings
Tanya adds a personal touch by mentioning her favorite drawings from school visits, underscoring the emotional and creative fulfillment these interactions provided. “[02:22] Tanya: What am I Whenever you say school visit on your website?...”
2. Navigating Virtual and In-Person Engagements
Challenges of Virtual School Visits
The transition to virtual school visits during lockdown presented unforeseen challenges. Jerry recounts his attempt to adapt, only to find that bureaucratic constraints prevented effective monetization. “[02:14] Jerry: So in the end I just. And now the school visit is on my website for free because that's much easier and I just don't do them and I do the stuff that's working.”
Daniel’s Experience with In-Person Events Post-Lockdown
Daniel shares his journey of scaling back from in-person events after experiencing high costs and logistical frustrations. “[07:03] Daniel: ...this last year I think I spent like £4,000 on travel. Like, it's insane.”
He highlights the emotional toll of being away from family and the inefficiency of being sidelined by audiovisual teams at events, leading to his decision to cease traveling for work. “[07:51] Daniel: ...if you say yes to in person, I'll get more yeses from clients, which was true. But now I don't care anymore.”
3. Personal Anecdotes and Creative Brainstorming
Brainstorming a Children’s Question Book
The hosts engage in a delightful brainstorming session about transforming the myriad of questions posed by children during school visits into a potential book. “[05:57] Tanya: So ideas are going to come thick and soft.”
They explore the concept of capturing the whimsical and often profound inquiries of children, envisioning a book that encapsulates these unique perspectives. “ [06:09] Tanya: So you binned the school visits?” followed by excitement over the creative potential of such a project.
Daniel’s Humorous Anecdote on Overcommitting
Daniel recounts a humorous yet telling story about overcommitting to a wedding illustration project, leading to a cascade of unexpected challenges. “[12:00] Tanya: All that time to think of a new thing...”
This anecdote serves as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of saying yes to every opportunity, reinforcing the episode’s central theme.
4. The Benefits of Saying No and Focusing on Strengths
Tanya’s Near-Miss with the Wine Label Project
Tanya shares her consideration and eventual decision to decline designing a wine label for a friend’s vineyard. “[09:38] Jerry: But can I ask you a really dumb question?...”
She reflects on the complexities of branding projects and her realization that her strengths lie in illustration rather than comprehensive brand design. “[10:43] Tanya: It's really branding for the vineyard... I keep thinking this year, just focus, don't be doing everything.”
Embracing Specialization for Enhanced Efficiency
The hosts collectively advocate for focusing on core strengths to maintain quality and reduce stress. Tanya emphasizes the importance of specializing to handle projects more efficiently and enjoyably. “[12:57] Tanya: ... you need to have a process, a very clear process of like, are you traditional, are you modern?...”
Jerry’s Insight on Starting Broad and Narrowing Focus
Jerry discusses the initial phase of trying various projects to discover what truly resonates, ultimately narrowing down to key areas of expertise. “[13:32] Jerry: ...doing a bit of everything that seems like you might enjoy it. And then you quickly realize which bits you are and which bits you're not and drop those bits.”
Daniel’s Affirmation of Saying No
Daniel echoes the sentiment, sharing that while saying no can initially feel worrisome, it ultimately paves the way for more meaningful and suitable opportunities. “[11:13] Daniel: Don't you feel like as well when you say no to something like that, something magical happens and then the space where you said no, something else good fills it.”
5. Practical Strategies for Illustrators
Streamlining Operations for Efficiency
The hosts discuss practical steps to manage workloads effectively by focusing on profitable and enjoyable tasks. Tanya mentions transitioning to bulk card sales to reduce the burden of individually sending items to multiple clients. “[13:44] Tanya: I still do the card sales. I'd rather sell in bulk cards and paper gifts to one supplier than to send to lots of people.”
Reducing Stress by Eliminating Low-Value Tasks
They emphasize the importance of trimming down activities that are exhausting and undercompensated. “[14:19] Tanya: ...doing something that's exhausting and not working for you and you keep thinking, this is. I'm getting six pounds an hour for this...”
Fostering a Supportive Community
The episode concludes with a reminder of the supportive online community at The Good Ship Illustration, encouraging illustrators to share experiences and strategies for saying no and focusing on their strengths.
Conclusion
This episode of The Good Ship Illustration powerfully illustrates that saying no is not a sign of weakness but a strategic move to enhance one’s creative career. By selectively declining projects that drain time, energy, and resources, illustrators can focus on what truly matters—delivering quality work, maintaining personal well-being, and fostering sustainable career growth. Through personal anecdotes, thoughtful discussions, and practical advice, Helen, Katie, and Tania inspire listeners to navigate their creative journeys with intention and confidence.
Notable Quotes:
- “[00:38] Jerry: ...this is probably the thing I enjoy least. Or I at least don't enjoy the bit queuing at the post office.”
- “[04:00] Jerry: But mostly it's statements like, hand goes up. You say, has anybody got any questions about…”
- “[07:42] Tanya: ...so you know I like this idea that we've all brainstormed just now, the question book.”
- “[11:13] Daniel: ...something magical happens and then the space where you said no, something else good fills it.”
- “[14:19] Tanya: ...maybe shave off the bits that aren't good for you. Stay with the things that are making you money and making you happy.”
This detailed summary captures the essence of the episode, providing actionable insights and relatable experiences for illustrators seeking to optimize their careers by mastering the art of saying no.