Ok,

here's the Topic of Discussion : Potential Illustration Gigs:

First of all, for the sake of Organization, i started this thread here b/c even though it is really ON-TOPIC in the Job-Listings sections, the discussion regarding Job-Posting and contracts is essentially off-topic ....

(attn: Magnut, we could use your input here ! love the posts you've been putting up to Job-Postings... but i agree w/ another aritst who mentioned, maybe we could start the discussion elsewhere....)




maybe a thread like this already exists ? if so, point me there,
b/c all i've found so far is random back and forth discussion at the actual job posts, and in my opinion, that post should have just that. all the "sent e-mail!" and other questions (when the employer has obviously put other means to contact them) does nothing but portray a weak desperation from "us".

Questions that I can think of... let's answer these, discuss, ask more...
1) Is the potential employer being clear about the Pay Structure/IF any? (and why is that important right off the bat?)

2) How do artists with weak portfolios (let's face it, compared to artists with a long list of paid gigs to show as example) compete to get chosen for a job without giving their work up for less than $20 an hour ? (Graphic Arts Guild puts the mean income for graphic work at $40/hr last time i checked so even $20 is STEAL;every time folks work for less than that we lower our potency and ability to have this craft as a primary income)

2a) what's wrong with Portfolio-Building jobs? (as long as they're described as such?)
--jobs that have no pay (perhaps potential royalties only)
but are a great way to meet a challenge in a professional way therefore increasing the caliber of one's portfolio for future paid gig potential ?

3) why are Contracts important, ( is there ever a job that doesn't need one) ?

3a) where are there good contract templates ?

4) -- What Other Questions should be asked and Discussed in this thread ? ??
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I have my own answers to these questions, I've been a freelance illustrator working with contract-jobs for the last 3 years.... I'm 29, my business and experience is young, but I've found that maintaining integrity is a strong foundation for future gigs and an example to my fellow illustrators/professional Artists ....