Future Career Research
At the start of university, I had a rough idea of what I wanted to do, and it was to create graphic novels. Considering our geographical location, I thought it would be best to aim to do western style comics. However, I quickly realized that my style may not quiet fit into western comic standards. After consulting my doubts with Gareth, I thought it may be worth looking into both comics and webtoons. Standard American comics tend to have western comic style while online graphic novels like webtoons are more open for various styles. In my research I would like to focus on where I want to be career wise and what can I do to achieve it.
Firstly, through my almost three years at university and after many company professional’s talks I learnt that it is extremely hard to work with companies like Marvel or DC as they are very picky when it comes to style, the way their characters and panels are drawn. As I mentioned above my art style at the moment may not fit with publishers like Marvel or DC. However, I looked into publishing companies, and I found that Image Comics claims on their websites that they “work with nearly every genre… and style imaginable”. I decided to pick Image Comic as an example company that I will look into what they are looking for and what portfolio could I create to show I got skills and experience they need. Considering the information form their website and my knowledge about creating a science fantasy genre story I learnt during my previous year as a part of my MCM London Comic Con Anthology Project, I think I may be able to fit within these standards.
Secondly, I chose this company because one of the artists who inspires me has a long history of working with them. Fiona Staples artist for Saga which is running and being published every monthly by Image Comics. Her unique style makes me believe that working with publisher like Image Comic is possible if I work hard towards creating a good portfolio of work.
Alternatively, I could start creating stories and uploading them to places like Webtoon. Lately I have seen many artists getting their work printed and being sold in book shops alongside other graphic novels and comics. There are also many series and movies based on Webtoon series being realised on platforms such as Netflix. It shows that you can start your career online on free self-published platforms such as Webtoon.
I investigated what would I need to start my own Webtoon series. I found a webtoon artist giving advice on how to start, but also looked into official Webtoon’s official website where they tell you step by step how to upload your stories. Although uploading stories is quiet easy, it is necessary to hit certain number of views and followers to start earning from your series. After that artists get between 50%-80% of the profit.
Webtoon seems to encourage creators to upload stories by providing Clip Studio discounts and any additional guidance from necessary equipment to how to set up the right format. Luckily I already have necessary tools and software so if I were to consider starting a series on Webtoons all I need is a good story and decent following on social media.
Webtoon artist tips on how to start:
Portfolio and social media building
During this semester I started preparing for any future work application by creating a suitable portfolio and working on my social medias. As an addition to my preexisting Instagram, I have created an account on Art station to create a professional online portfolio of relevant work. I also tried to make it easier to find and contact me through creating LinkedIn profile.
I believe what I got now it’s a good start, but there is still lots I could work on. My goal is to add more content to my portfolio before finishing university so that there is variety of pieces to show to a potential employer.
Attitude and Advice
One of the tasks during our Cartoon Museum module was to interview an artist about comic artist career. During my chat with Paul McCaffrey I learnt that being a comic book artist means often working overtime to finish projects on time, it requires hard work and being organized. It also requires very professional and friendly approach towards customers and people you work with, because that is what makes people want to work with you again.
I also asked him for any advice on my current problem that I’m trying to overcome, which is fit my art style somewhere within comic book industry. He told me form his experience that artist’s style often changes over time, sometimes even during ongoing comic series and it won’t be a problem as long as I am a good person to work with and I reach the right people who look for this type of art style. That’s why it is important to run social media accounts and reach as many people as possible.
Final Thoughts
Comic artist career requires working hard often overtime, which I fully understand, and I am ready to fully commit to that. Social media presence and portfolio is vital to find the right people who may want to hire me. At the moment I made a good start, but there will be more pieces as I am planning to give my best and create another science fantasy story for my final project next year. It will help me to fill my portfolio with more fantastic work relevant to what I want to do in the future.
I am also going to looking into cost of being an artist now that we have new tax on side hustle incoming in 2024 and will affect online sales of many artists as a part of my Research, Analysis and Communication Report. I would like to know how this may affect my future and plans, but also I want to be realistic about cost of living of being an artist and prepare for life after university.