Find online social networks that connect with your work or present content that you are interested in. Find a range that covers commercial opportunities, professional networking, archived work, learning opportunities, or discussions around illustration. You might want to join in on some of these forums.
What did you find out and how does this inform your understanding of illustration?
I have listed below a range of online social networks that I am either aware of or have discovered through this task.
Instagram is the main social media network that I currently use. Out of the well-known platforms, e.g. Twitter or Facebook, it is the one that certainly appeals to me the most. I like that it is image-based, as I find it quite challenging to stay focused when reading too much text on a screen. As a side note, I also like the grid layout of Instagram, as it looks neat and organised.
I signed up for an Instagram account during the Graphic Fiction unit in Level 1, as I wanted to use it to motivate myself to do an observational drawing everyday and upload these as a record. More recently I have been using it to upload my attempts at the Random Friday challenge set by @illoca22 each week.
Since I have been doing the challenge, I have begun to gain an extremely tiny number of followers, but I find this quite anxiety-inducing! I really have to force myself to post images each week, which is why I feel doing the challenge is a good method to ensure I do this. I think Instagram is a good tool for self-promotion and making connections as it can be a used as a portfolio of work easily accessible by others. However, it needs to be remembered that it should not be the only method of showcasing work as it is not always possible to display work at its full potential and the number of ‘likes’ or ‘views’ is not the most reliable way to judge the worth of an image.
The other main reason I use Instagram is to follow artists/companies that interest me and I can use this as inspiration for my own work or research purposes. Whenever I find a new practitioner that appeals to me I always check their instagram feed, if available, as it usually has their most recent work on show. I try to follow a range of people and keep in mind that most users will only post ‘perfect’ images that have been carefully curated.
I need to explore the potential of Instagram further, such as videos, stories and reels, since I am only currently using at a very basic level. I also plan to begin posting additional work on a more regular basis, such as observational drawings.
Twitter / X
Twitter has never really interested me as I prefer image-based media, and it does seem to be quite a hostile environment with people making unpleasant comments, etc. I do not feel I have anything to offer this platform or that it really has anything that would benefit me. Add to this that it is now owned by an individual that I am not keen on, to put it mildly, who has rebranded the platform as ‘X’, just sealed the deal for me.
Discord
I do not generally use forums apart from when I am looking for a specific solution (usually for technical purposes when my computer is on the verge of being blown up) and, as such, I have very occasionally posted a comment asking for help.
I believe some forums, if unmoderated, can be quite hostile arenas and that kind of atmosphere just does not interest me.
However, I am aware that there is a Discord channel set up by OCA students, which I did join, but very rarely log-in. I think it is a really good idea for students to make connections and chat about their assignments, etc. The main reason I do not check it very often or participate is that I do not really feel the need to do this in terms of my work and I also believe my time could be more productively spent, as it is quite easy to get sucked into a vortex of constantly logging on and checking updates.
Another Discord channel that I am aware of is one set up by Art Prof (see below). This is a highly-moderated, friendly forum environment for aspiring artists to discuss all aspects of the creative spectrum.
YouTube
The main reason I use the video-based platform YouTube is for tutorials and watching documentaries, animations, etc. Although there is huge amount of drivel on YouTube, it is possible to find some really useful content. I subscribe to a select number of channels. I am not keen on most of the suggested content that appears and sometimes I have to delete videos from my history to prevent these suggestions from constantly reappearing.
A vast number of individuals use Youtube for self-promotion, for example, uploading videos of ‘sketchbook tours’ and ‘how to’ tutorials and they can generate revenue via views, likes, subscribers and adverts. I am not really sure if YouTube has the potential for networking as a high proportion of people who make comments on videos tend to be fairly unpleasant!
I can state with 100% confidence that I would never, ever use a video of myself for self-promotion. The only videos I would consider producing would be those of my work, e.g. a showreel or animation, and I most likely would not use YouTube as the platform to do this. I have previously used Vimeo, and I believe this platform is held in higher esteem than Youtube.
I was quite late in joining one of the original social networks, Facebook. I have never really posted on it and the main reason I did sign up was to follow people or companies that interest me. I have joined a selection of groups, such as some of the OCA ones, which have been useful a few times throughout the duration of the course. I prefer the layout of Facebook for this purpose compared to forums such as Discord, as I find it easier to take the information in.
I do not think Facbook is generally considered a significant place to make connections other than personal ones. However, many small (and big) businesses do utilise the platform to advertise and sell their products. It seems like a huge amount of effort to keep it regularly updated and try to attract Likes. I believe page owners can also generate revenue from adverts, etc. It is also possible to integrate Instagram posts into Facebook.
If someone is more established as an artist/illustrator with a pre-existing following, it is probably more worthwhile to have a Facebook page, which can also be linked to a website, than taking the effort to set one up and having no Likes/Followers. and looking like ‘Billy Nomates’.
LinkedIn is one of the more highly respected social networks in terms of business and making professional connections. At its core LinkedIn can be used as a digital CV, showing an individual’s qualifications, employment history, personal qualities, etc, which can be viewed online by potential employers, etc. Individuals/businesses can also have recommendations from others, such as former colleagues, on their page.
It is possible to regularly add updates to your profile, so followers can be kept informed of your professional status. LinkedIn is also a platform for job adverts. Additionally, I am aware that LinkedIn has a Learning section (that requires a subscription), which has a vast amount of high quality tutorials on a wide range of topics, many of which are related to the creative field.
Although I do have a LinkedIn account, I have not yet put anything on it. At some point in the future I may do this as I gain more confidence and skills. I am definitely interested in the potential of LinkedIn, and particularly the Learning aspect of it.
Behance
I had previously seen the name Behance a few times on websites, but was not familiar with its purpose. I have learned that it is part of the Adobe family and is used as a tool for creatives to showcase work for potential clients/employers. It is possible to upload a selection of images (and videos, such as showreels) from a portfolio for people to view, as well as linking to other networks such as Instagram, and adding details such as which software the individual specialises in.
I have also noted that Behance has a Jobs section, specifically in the creative fields, and it is possible to sell assets, such as fonts, to users.
From a brief viewing of Behance, it is clear there is definitely a professional, slick standard to the work on show. It is certainly a platform to aspire to be part of, but I found it quite intimidating and I am not sure I would ever be of such high calibre to be part of it.
The Dots
Whilst undertaking this research task, I came across The Dots, which appears to be similar to LinkedIn but is specifically aimed at creatives. Users have to create a free account to access content. Similarly to LinkedIn, the main purpose of The Dots is networking between potential collaborators. There are also events (workshops, courses, meet-ups and talks), job boards and forums. It is possible to set up a profile showcasing work and qualifications to make connections with others.
As with LinkedIn, The Dots is another potential platform I might explore further once I become more confident in my abilities and have a clearer vision of how I intend to proceed with a creative future.
ArtStation
Another social network/website I happened to come across through this research was ArtStation. This platform genuinely piqued my interests there seems to be such a wide variety of avenues to explore. From an initial perusal, some of the options available include: job boards, blogs, a marketplace (to sell assets, for example), portfolios, challenges and tutorials.
As with Behance, most of the artwork on show is of an extremely high standard (but does seem to be mainly in the fantasy genre), and is therefore quite intimidating.
At present, the most appealing aspect of ArtStation is the Tutorial section and I have already selected a few of these that I intend on watching.
I have only really used Pinterest for OCA work when I set up a board to save specific images to for research purposes. I have found some very useful material on Pinterest, but there is a real mixture in terms of the quality. Also, it is important to be careful to establish the validity of an image if I intend on using it as a reference, for example, is it really a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci or not?
It is possible to gain followers and follow others on Pinterest. I am not sure if it is considered a particular hotspot for making creative connections that lead to collaborations/employment, but rather a way of sharing images.
I probably should consider using Pinterest more regularly. For example, I could setup more general boards for my personal work that I could regularly add to for future reference. I do like that Pinterest suggests similar images to the one the user has previously viewed or is currently looking at.
TikTok
I have added TikTok just to show I know of its existence, but I have currently have no interest in pursuing it for my own purposes.
Art Prof
Although not a specific social network, I would like to mention Art Prof as a resource tool. It is a free, high standard educational tool for aspiring artists, run by qualified individuals. I have watched many of the YouTube videos and I like the down to earth attitude of the team – there is no flashiness or stupidity involved, which often puts me off videos online – as well as the really detailed explanations that are presented in an easy to understand method.
There are so many resources available on the website, which also includes the option of submitting your work for critique. As previously mentioned, there is a (well-moderated) Discord channel associated with Art Prof, and the overriding ethos of the community is to be as supportive as possible. There is a great deal of interaction between the users and the team, including on Youtube. Needless to say I intend to keep following Art Prof and expanding my knowledge through the expertise on offer.
Portfolio Website
One of the most important online tools for self promotion is a having a website. These usually include a Portfolio, an About page and Contact details. There is also, more often than not, links to various social media platforms. Most of the portfolio websites I have visited tend to have links to Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter, with some also having Twitter, Youtube or Behance. Some websites also have a ‘shop’, which is either within the website itself or accessed via a link to sites such as Etsy or Redbubble. The website can also be linked back to from the various social media networks.
Final Thoughts
After considering a selection of the social media networks on offer, there are two main observations that have I have made. Firstly, for self-promotion purposes, it is better to use a small number, such as Instagram and LinkedIn, regularly and efficiently rather than flitting between several different ones, but not committing enough time and effort to each. It also is important to utilise all the possibilities of those that you do opt to use. Secondly, it takes time to build up a following and make connections. You should also keep in mind that many users are presenting themselves in what they consider their ‘best light’ by only showing ‘perfect’ work.
I do think social media networks can play a key role in developing as a successful illustrator in the present day, but it is important to not let it become a distraction or take up all of your time. I believe that once you reach a stage where you are confident in the work you are regularly producing, it can then become a really useful way of showcasing your abilities and skills.
Currently I tend to use social media networks as learning tools, such as for watching/reading tutorials and finding other practitioners for research/inspirational purposes. There is such huge amount of content available of varying quality and standard and it does, therefore, take time to filter out only the most reliable and useful information.
Without wanting to sound too negative, my personality is not really well-suited to self-promotion and I am socially ill-equipped for networking whether in the ‘real world’ or online, so this whole aspect of illustration could prove quite a challenge for me!
I have listed below some of the areas, with regards to this topic, that I should explore:
- Learn how to use Instagram efficiently and add content on a more regular basis. Continue to respond to the #RandomFriday challenge by @illoca22 on a weekly basis.
- Find out if there are any other regular challenges I could attempt.
- Investigate competitions that I could potentially sign up for, such as The Penguin Cover Design Award, which my Tutor in Key Steps to Illustration suggested tried entering.
- Begin planning a portfolio website.
Bibliography
Art Prof (n.d.) Art Prof. Available at: http://artprof.org (Accessed 20 August 2023).
ArtStation (n.d.) ArtStation. Available at: https://www.artstation.com (Accessed 21 August 2023).
Behance (n.d.) Behance. Available at: https://www.behance.net (Accessed 20 August 2023).
Discord (n.d.) Discord. Available at: https://discord.com (Accessed 20 August 2023).
Etsy (n.d.) Etsy. Available at: https://www.etsy.com (Accessed 21 August 2023).
Facebook (n.d.) Facebook. Available at: https://www.facebook.com (Accessed 20 August 2023).
Instagram (n.d.) Instagram. Available at: https://www.instagram.com (Accessed 21 August 2023).
LinkedIn (n.d) LinkedIn. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com (Accessed 21 August 2023).
Penguin (n.d.) Cover Design Award. Available at: https://www.penguin.co.uk/company/work-with-us/cover-design-award (Accessed 22 August 2023).
Pinterest (n.d.) Pinterest. Available at: https://www.pinterest.co.uk (Accessed 20 August 2023).
Redbubble (n.d.) Redbubble. Available at: https://www.redbubble.com (Accessed 20 August 2023).
The Dots (n.d.) The Dots. Available at: https://the-dots.com (Accessed 21 August 2023).
TikTok (n.d.) TikTok. Available at: https://www.tiktok.com (Accessed 22 August 2023).
Twitter (n.d.) Twitter/X. Available at: https://twitter.com/home (Accessed 20 August 2023).
Vimeo (n.d.) Vimeo. Available at: https://vimeo.com (Accessed 20 August 2023).
Youtube (n.d.) Youtube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com (Accessed 21 August 2023).