How to hire an illustrator
An overview from inquiry to final illustration. Answers to all your questions about the hiring process and workflow of a freelance illustrator & designer, especially, when collaborating for the first time.
1. The Hiring Process
Inquiry
If you are interested in hiring me for your next project, I kindly ask you to answer a few questions about your project to give me an idea of the size and matter of your project. With this information I can give you a price range or draw up a costs estimate specifically cut to your needs and wishes.
Details to think about when asking for an offer:
What do you need to be illustrated?
Do you have a set timeframe for your project?
How detailed or simplified do you want the illustration to be?
Is there an example in my portfolio that suits your vision?Describe the look and feel you want to go for?
Multiple colors or single color/black?
Personal or commercial use?
What are the details on your target group? (Age, gender, etc.)
What will the illustration be used for?
Costs estimate
The offer will give you the specifics of the illustration project and the agreed delivery date as well as the usage rights that will be included in the calculated fee. It also includes the general terms and conditions.
The fee usually includes:
compensation for creating and executing the illustration
fee for usage rights as stated in the offer
one round of changes at sketch stage*
one round of small changes at final stage*
*Additional rounds of changes can be purchased for an additional fee.
Learn more about how the price is calculated here:
Confirmation
When you have checked the estimate, I’ll start your project.
2. Creative Phase
Sketch phase
With the information provided by you I will create a first digital sketch to give you a first idea of what the illustration could look like. If not agreed otherwise, I will set a deadline for the sketch.
Feedback
I value feedback, it is an essential part of creating and shouldn't be underrated or dismissed.
After creating the sketch I will ask you to take some time for feedback. Sketches are the first step from abstract to concrete, they build the ground for discussion. This is the time to tell me everything you like or dislike or any changes you might wish for. Does the sketche apply to your vision? I appreciate for your honest feedback, so don’t hold back, but stay kind.
As stated above, one round of changes at this stage is included. Additional changes in the sketch phase will be charged an additional fee. If you agree to the sketch, I move on to execute the illustration.
Execution phase
This phase will vary depending on which medium was agreed on. I work analog as well as digitally. As you can see in my portfolio I am used to pencil, colored pencil, ink, but also digital ways of coloring and vector illustration. These various ways of executing an illustration take different amounts of time and will come at different prices.
Last Changes
As I send you the executed illustration implementing occasional changes from the sketch phase you get another chance to ask for small changes (In general, those are changes that can be done under an hour.) before I send you the final illustration.
3. Finalisation
Final illustration
The final illustration will be transmitted digitally via email or provided as a download link. The illustrator holds ownership of the original illustration. The client purchases rights of use as described in the offer and as stated on the invoice.
If you have purchased an original illustration, you will be receiving it by post. If not agreed otherwise, you are not obtaining any commercial usage rights with the original artwork.
Payment
After you received the final design or artwork you will receive an invoice via email. Payments are due within a week from the invoice date.
Until we meet again
I hope you enjoyed the experience and are happy with the results. I always hope to hear or read from you again when you are planing your next project. You are always invited to leave a comment or follow my work on social media if you want to keep updated.