How to Get Hired

Here is a wonderful article by Cartoonist, Ryan Estrada, about how to get hired as an artist. It was just too good not to share, and a perfect follow up to Lauren's post from yesterday.



I've mentioned before how important I think it is to offer something unique in this industry, and this article also touches on that notion a bit. Here is a small sample:

What opportunities do you want?



For years, I ran a custom comics site called Cartoon Commune. I spent all day lamenting all the time I had to spend drawing superheroes, which I had little interest in. But customers just kept ordering them. At no point did I consider the fact that my web site was covered in superheroes, and didn’t contain any of the types of comics I wanted to draw. I assumed people wouldn’t WANT to hire me for those types of comics.



Now, I focus my energy on making things I like. I am an artist/adventurer, so I post stories about my travels. These days, when I do work for someone else, it’s for a graphic novel guide to traveling on the cheap… or to write a tale inspired by my experiences in India. It’s to perform a radio show about the most interesting people I’ve met around the world. Because those are the things I love, the things I offer that no one else does, and the things I show off.



If you make art no one else can, you have no competition.

Ryan also poses several questions that will really help an aspiring artist better assess their work, and their goals. Please follow the link to read the full article: How to Get Hired, you'll be glad you did!