Also, I have had calls with a variety of people (illustrators, agents, art directors) and they have all provided some useful tidbits, BUT... they have also almost always called me to pivot away from my existing focus or plans, whether that's making me go down a different route with my portfolio, or running off to take a course in a whole adjacent area. Sometimes from their advice and sometimes because I'm running away from their advice!
So, I would say, don't jump too quickly to getting someone else to coach you. Stick with Tom's advise for a fixed amount of time, before seeking any more out.
This is very sound advice also! Sometimes advice can be derailing so I’m being quite picky with who I speak to and why. Thank you for sharing. Lots of food for thought! ☺️
I can definitely relate! I have been doing this for years - I get good enough at something to start getting cloent work and then almost immediately pivot to a new focus. It's like I have an illustration bucket list and *need* to tick them *all* off.
I am trying very very hard to focus on a particular niche (lifestyle illustration, particularly sub-focusing rooms and food, with a side order of hand lettering). I feel the side order can work because it's frequently useful alongside the illustration pieces.
I am trying to satisfy my desire for variety within this niche, by digging deeper and trying to talk myself out of going off on tangents. But it's hard! I am also allowing myself to explore more than one market within this, which hopefully will help provide balance and variety. (I will judge potential client work case by case, but am hoping that most client work will at least tangentially fit within this focus.)
I think I need to commit until the end of next year and not let FOMO or whatever take me away from it.
But I am still getting jittery about whether I have picked 'the wrong' niche and whether I should be focusing on something different over the next year instead.
It’s great to hear about your niche struggle too Tasha! I find it so hard to balance my desire to learn / my suspected neurospicy brain and being consistent.
I imagine most creative people have a similar problem. I have at least realised I can niche for a while see if it works out and then re-niche as required. I’m just not sure if I’m going to be able to stay on track. We shall see…
Also, I have had calls with a variety of people (illustrators, agents, art directors) and they have all provided some useful tidbits, BUT... they have also almost always called me to pivot away from my existing focus or plans, whether that's making me go down a different route with my portfolio, or running off to take a course in a whole adjacent area. Sometimes from their advice and sometimes because I'm running away from their advice!
So, I would say, don't jump too quickly to getting someone else to coach you. Stick with Tom's advise for a fixed amount of time, before seeking any more out.
This is very sound advice also! Sometimes advice can be derailing so I’m being quite picky with who I speak to and why. Thank you for sharing. Lots of food for thought! ☺️
I can definitely relate! I have been doing this for years - I get good enough at something to start getting cloent work and then almost immediately pivot to a new focus. It's like I have an illustration bucket list and *need* to tick them *all* off.
I am trying very very hard to focus on a particular niche (lifestyle illustration, particularly sub-focusing rooms and food, with a side order of hand lettering). I feel the side order can work because it's frequently useful alongside the illustration pieces.
I am trying to satisfy my desire for variety within this niche, by digging deeper and trying to talk myself out of going off on tangents. But it's hard! I am also allowing myself to explore more than one market within this, which hopefully will help provide balance and variety. (I will judge potential client work case by case, but am hoping that most client work will at least tangentially fit within this focus.)
I think I need to commit until the end of next year and not let FOMO or whatever take me away from it.
But I am still getting jittery about whether I have picked 'the wrong' niche and whether I should be focusing on something different over the next year instead.
Good luck with your niching down!!
It’s great to hear about your niche struggle too Tasha! I find it so hard to balance my desire to learn / my suspected neurospicy brain and being consistent.
I imagine most creative people have a similar problem. I have at least realised I can niche for a while see if it works out and then re-niche as required. I’m just not sure if I’m going to be able to stay on track. We shall see…