Emily Golden is a Freelance Illustrator who is based in Bristol and inspired by weird and wonderful tales; she has kindly given me an interview.
What is your specialised area and how long have you been working in this area?
My specialised area is Illustration. I discovered the area of illustration on my Foundation degree and then went on to study it at Uni. I graduated in 2006 and have been freelancing since, so 5 years.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love the variety. I get really different commissions in so no two are the same. I also like working for myself, I think I try harder because the more effort you put in the greater the rewards. Being able to draw most of the day is great too!
How would you define your style?
I am really influenced by the Golden Age of Illustration and artists such as Kay Nielsen and Arthur Rackham. I would describe my style and stylised and imaginative and I use a mixture of hand drawn and digital techniques.
Since you have been a designer what have you found most profitable?
It is hard work so in terms of money profit it takes a long time until you start making money. However when I see a piece of my work used for something, or my children’s book in a shop it is the best feeling.
What trade shows do you exhibit your work in?
I have recently been signed up to Advocate Art Agency for my Illustration and I am represented by Pollinger Literary Agency for my children’s books. Both Agencies take my work to book fairs and trade fairs in the UK and abroad.
What are the most orders you have had from a trade shows?
I don’t think I have had orders directly from trade shows, more from contacts that have been built up through meetings at trade shows.
What trade shows would you recommend?
I think it totally depends on what area of design you want to get into. There are so many shows you can exhibit at, so picking carefully is the key.
What would you say your top tips are after graduating?
Don’t expect it all to happen straight away. It really is hard work and you have to constantly promote yourself. I think out of my uni class only about 8 of us are still practising but if you stick at it then good things eventually start to happen! I would also advise entering lots of competitions, writing to agencies and constantly making new work.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by loads of things. I LOVE fairytales and folktales and strange creatures so I enjoy using my imagination. Artists that influence me include Aubrey Beardsley and Edward Gorey. I love decoration and colour so this enters my illustration a lot. I also think ambition inspires me. I know that this is what I want to do in life so I try to make it happen!
What artist's / Designers are you inspired by?
I think I answered this one above but there are so many designers who inspire me. I love fabric pattern so whenever I see one that I love I take note of it. I also have a few friends from uni still working freelance and they inspire me because they are great! Particularly two good friends www.lucyjoyoldfield.com and www.lukejames.co.uk.
Since you have become a freelance designer what have you learned?
To be organised and proactive. To go out and look for work myself and to stay determined and optimistic.
Do you have a particular design process?
I still keep sketchbooks. I find they are a great way of working, I draw initial ideas in them to begin with, then when an idea is forming I will go on to ink it up and finally use paints or Photoshop/Illustrator in finalise.
who is your target market?
I create work for different areas. For my children’s book work it is obviously aimed at small kids but I hope that my other illustration appeals to all ages. It does have a childlike feel to it, especially since I am inspired by fairytales but I hope that at any age you can appreciate them.
Do you advertise?
Yes, I think that is a key point that I want to put across, you need to constantly promote yourself because work doesn’t just come your way without doing this. I advertise on blogs, in Illustration directories, through my agencies at book/trade fairs and of course my own promotional material such as website, postcards and business cards. I also have started a side project creating wedding stationery and for this I advertise in Magazines and Wedding Fairs.
