We Are Illustrators! Illustrator's Survey 2018 1 Getting to know you2 Work3 Money4 Work/life balance5 Final open question Welcome to the second annual Illustrators Survey! Last year I launched the first Illustrator's Survey and with an overwhelming response was able to put together a well-received report containing some very thought-provoking statistics about the illustration industry and those working in it throughout 2017. This year I'm working alongside Hire an Illustrator to do the same, looking for responses from anyone who has worked as a professional illustrator (whether full or part time) throughout 2018. If you have been working as an illustrator over the passed 12 months then please do take ten minutes to respond to the survey and of course help to spread the word amongst your fellow illustrators!The survey will run until the end of January when we will compile the results to be released in early February.Ben the IllustratorAre you:FemaleMaleOtherPrefer not to sayYour age:18-3031-4041-5051-6060+Where do you work?HomeHome studioRented single studioRented shared studioEmployed in-houseDid you study illustration at university level?Studied another creative subjectStudied illustrationStudied a non-creative subjectDidn’t go to universityHow do you create your work?Mostly digitalMostly traditionalMixed traditional and digitalIs your digital work?RasterVector What was your illustration work situation in 2018?Full-time illustratorFull-time creative job with illustration part-timeFull-time non-creative job with illustration part-timeStudent earning from illustration part-timeHow was your income in 2018?Less than previous yearSame as previous yearMore than previous yearWhich sector has most of your 2018 work been in?PublishingEditorialArt prints/exhibitionsAdvertisingApp creationTextiles/apparelPrivate commissionsAnimation/motionLive art/muralsConsole gamesProductsPackagingWhich single marketing method brought in the most work for you in 2018?Self-promotionRegular/repeat clientsSocial MediaPaid advertisingReferralsWhat type of self-promotion?Direct mailers (postcards or other)Direct email correspondence or newsletterWhere in the world are most of your clients based?United KingdomAnother European countryUSA & CanadaThe Middle EastAsia and the PacificAustralia & New ZealandAfricaWhat European country?Are most of your clients based in the same country as you?YesNoWhat was your representation status in 2018?My agent brings in most of my commissionsMy agent brings in half of my commissionsMy agent brings in less than half of my commissionsMy agent brought in less than 3 commissionsI don’t have an illustration agentHow do you feel about working for free, excluding charity work and non-commercial work for friends or family?I have done and it paid off in the long runI have done and it was a waste of my timeI do often and am indifferent to the outcomeI have never worked for freeI have worked for free and will never again Are you confident when giving price estimates to clients?YesNoWhich of the following do you use most in coming up with price estimates?Based on previous commission feesAsking fellow illustratorsPrices based on the time requiredOne-to-one advice from a professional servicePricing reference booksWhat professional service?What reference book?Do you ask for a deposit up-front on your commissions?Yes and I get it on most commissionsYes and I don't get it on most commissionsI don't ask for depositsI only work on jobs where a deposit is paidDo you use hour/day rates?Yes, fixed rates on all projectsSometimes, depending on the projectNeverHow many of your commissions were paid late during 2018?More than halfHalfLess than halfNoneWhich is your preferred currency?GBP (British Pound)USD (US Dollar)EUR (Euro)What price range are most of your individual commissions?Under £249£250 - £499£500 - £999£1000 - £2499£2500 - £4999£5000+What price range are most of your individual commissions?Under $314$315 - $629$630 - $1259$1260 - $3144$3145 - $6289$6290+What price range are most of your individual commissions?Under €274€275 - €549€550 - €1104€1105 - €2764€2765 - €5534€5535+What was your gross annual income for 2018?Less than £9,999£10,000 - £19,999£20,000 - £34,999£35,000 - £49,999£50,000 - £74,999£75,000 - £99,999£100,000 - £149,000£150,000 - £199,000£200,000+What was your gross annual income for 2018?Less than $12,599$12,600 - $25,199$25,200 - $44,099$44,100 - $62,999$63,000 - $94,499$94,500 - $125,999$126,000 - $188,999$189,000 - $251,959$251,960+What was your gross annual income for 2018?Less than €11,059€11,060 - €22,119€22,120 - €38,699€38,700 - €55,299€55,300 - €82,939€82,940 - €110,579€110,580 - €165,909€165,910 - €221,219€221,220+What other avenues of income do you have? (Tick all that apply) Etsy store Other 3rd party online store Self-hosted online store Licensing existing artwork Patreon YouTube Teaching in an official capacity Skillshare/tutorials Amazon Affiliate Other Please name the "Other" avenuePlease name the 3rd party online storeDo you feel you earn enough from illustration to sustain a comfortable lifestyle?YesNo Do you successfully balance client work and personal creative work?YesNoWhich of the following would benefit you and your work? (Tick all that apply) More exercise More social time More relaxation More sleep More art classes Part-time help Full-time help Do you regularly meet up with other illustrators? (whether an organised group/event or purely friends)Yes, and it’s important to me to do soYes, but it’s not of great importanceNo, but I wish I didNo, I don’t feel the needWhich of the following would you like to talk or read about more online? (Tick all that apply) Improving your exercise/physical activity Improving your wellness practice (meditation, yoga etc) Improving your social life Improving your mental health regarding financial issues Improving your mental health regarding confidence/self-doubt issues How balanced are the positive/negative effects of social media on you?100% positive75% positive / 25% negative50% positive / 50% negative25% positive / 75% negative100% negativeDo you feel you have anxieties or confidence issues that effect your career?YesNoIf you have any issues with mental health, have you spoken out about it on social media?YesNoDo you feel motivated to be a better artist?YesNoDo you feel motivated to be a better business person?YesNo What would you like to see change in the illustration industry?Do you wish to kept up-to-date with future updates?Yes, send me emails in relation to the results of this survey and future surveys. Your contact information will not be sharedNo, do not contact me or keep any record of my contact detailsName First Last Email Enter Email Confirm Email Consent and Anonymity* I agree to the privacy policy and understand that any contact information I supply (if supplied) will not be connected with my survey answers Show Full AgreementThe safety and security of your personal data is extremely important to us at Hire an Illustrator. Our Privacy Policy provides details of how and why we use the information that you give to us, and an overview of the rights you have to manage your data. Read More...CAPTCHAIP AddressDate This iframe contains the logic required to handle Ajax powered Gravity Forms.
