Lemme just start out by saying how anxious I am about starting this blog! I had a “blog coming soon” listed on my website for so long and then I took it down, because, seriously, I’m a nobody! I’ve only worked with two companies that have successfully published games. That’s it! That said, I’m very picky about who I work with and on what kinds of projects I work on, because I have limited time and energy due to being a stay at home Mama! I will only take on projects that excite me, projects where I already have an established working relationship with the creator, or projects with established companies who are reputable and who I just can't say no to. However, I’ve received numerous inquiries for game projects over the years. I imagine the interest in having me as the illustrator is due to the success I’ve had with Facade Games. Majority of the inquiries have come from first time game creators and, unfortunately, not everyone can be a Travis and Holly Hancock (Facade Games) or a Mike Bruner (Elixir Games) right off the bat. That’s not to say they can’t work up to that by any means! That’s why I’m writing this! Not that by reading this blog series you will hereby be an expert employer of illustrators and your projects will here on out all be successful. It also does not mean that I will be solving all the struggles and problems that can arise from hiring an illustrator, nor am I here to define the "industry standard" for what is and isn't acceptable. The truth is, the process of hiring an illustrator can be pretty overwhelming for someone who’s never done so before. Compound that with someone who’s only experience with creating “art” was in their high school art 1 class and then compound on top of that an industry of illustrators where there is no "one size fits all" standard market value (And I should clarify, there is no "one size fits all" market value that everyone can agree on. There are market standards.) and a variety of professionals mixed with hobbyists and lot’s of “feelings” to avoid stepping on and you have quite the disaster. It’s a BIG gap to fill for a first timer. My goal with writing all of these thoughts out (that won't leave me alone until I do) and sharing them with you is to hopefully get everyone who reads this on a similar page about what the bigger picture is and why things are the way they are. I personally don't see enough communication between illustrators and game creators. Of course it's there and much of the established relationships are quality. It's just hard to get there, and I just wish to see more of it sooner in the process and, specifically, more of each side recognizing the value they are bringing to each other and having respect for that. Illustrators/artists, game creators, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, we're all here to serve each other and bring to market something awesome that we all love and want to share. An awesome Tabletop Game!
That’s what I’m here for! Or at least that’s what I hope I can do for you. I’ve spent the last two to three years at least, taking notes along the way of things I’ve noticed and tried pulling sources from everywhere about everything “art” in board games related into one place that I can pull from as I touch on each topic. I hope this series will be helpful to those out there who are looking to dive into the deep end for the first time. If things go well I may even write a follow up geared towards incoming illustrators who want to get into the game of Tabletop game art and provide some insight to get on the same page for what to expect as well.
That’s what I’m here for! Or at least that’s what I hope I can do for you. I’ve spent the last two to three years at least, taking notes along the way of things I’ve noticed and tried pulling sources from everywhere about everything “art” in board games related into one place that I can pull from as I touch on each topic. I hope this series will be helpful to those out there who are looking to dive into the deep end for the first time. If things go well I may even write a follow up geared towards incoming illustrators who want to get into the game of Tabletop game art and provide some insight to get on the same page for what to expect as well.