Customer Reviews

2003 Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market

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Am a successful full-time freelancer for past 14 years, selling illustrations consistently to Fortune 100 companies. Every year, I mail out at least 50 sample packages to various listings in this book, and in ten years, have NEVER received a paying job.
The occasional postcard acknowledging receipt perhaps, but that's about it. One sample package sent to a company in a neighboring state not listed in the book got me a year's worth of work. That place was discovered by me on my own with no help from them. I suppose you could infer that maybe it's me or my approach or sample package. Yet, time and again, the exact same cover letter and materials sent to places I've discovered by myself have yielded work. I think the companies listed here, with the possible exception of the magazines paying $15 for a gag cartoon, aren't really in the market for work or if they are, it's very rare. I mean, $200 spent sending work to every greeting card company that was applicable to my work and not a SINGLE postcard or reply?! I once sent a sample package to a publisher, received a "no thanks" letter from them and then ONE week later, my agent called with work from the same publisher. This leads me to believe that they pay no attention to submissions that have originated by people reading this book. Again, efforts on my own have had much better results. If others have found this book useful, good luck to them, but anyone looking to make more than $20 an illustration, don't bother. Spend the money on phone calls and postage.

The 2003 Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market book is one of the must-have reference books for artists and graphic designers.

It's August 2002, and was surprised to see the 2003 available (so, keep your eyes open to this new updated edition). Mary Cox does us great service by providing us with an updated version and for designers, this book is a no-brainer. It's a must have if you are going to pitch your work to major companies.

Articles in the 2003 edition are:

· Andy Cowles: Communicating the Vision at Rolling Stone
· Promoting Your Work Through Direct Mail
· Diary of a Career
· Growing Your Business: Simple Systems for Staying on Track
· Crash Course in Copyright
· Color Trends at the New Shade of Marketing
· When Gruesome is Good: Your Complete Horror Roundtable
· From Psychedelic Sixties to Shabby Chic: Trend-tracking Boost Sales

And so much more with a mix of market listings, insider reports and advice that continues the trend for this book as a true reference book that will truly benefit artists and designers.

An invaluable resource for any artist who wants to be a part of the current marketplace, this book is also good for fine artists, to increase their income and gain visibility.
Aside from the thousands of listings, there are many articles, as well as interviews with people who have gained success in their field, that are informative and useful. I especially appreciate "Crash Course in Copyright", which simplifies a complex subject, and makes it understandable; it is a must to read before signing any contract.

Everyone will have favorite chapters that apply to their specific talents; I have 3 which are heavily underlined and often read.
The listings, or "Markets" are:
1. Greeting Cards, Gifts & Products
2. Magazines
3. Posters & Prints
4. Book Publishers
5. Galleries
6. Syndicates & Cartoon Features
7. Stock Illustration & Clip Art Firms
8. Advertising, Design & Related Markets
9. Record Labels
There are also listings of Artist's Reps, Web sites, and a glossary of art-related terms.

Many listings have web site addresses, which enable one to see if the "look" the company projects is a right match for your style, before mailing samples; also the contact person, and what type of work they are looking for, method and range of payment, and much more.
This is a book I buy yearly, as every issue has new listings, updates, and deletions, and I consider it a worthy investment.
One of the listings in the "Book Publishers" section is Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market: When you have collected enough freelance work from companies in the listings in this book, send them the printed pages, photographs or tear sheets, and your work might get selected as one of the numerous illustrations that are used as examples in the book.

If you're looking to market your illustration or design work, particularly, this book is the ultimate resource. I've been buying it for years and have to say it is always up-to-date and a real time saver for me. I don't think I could remain in today's competitive freelance market if I didn't have the help of a book like this doing the lion's share of the market research for me. BRAVO, again, to Mary Cox, editor, for another fine edition of this invaluable resource.

If you want to get your work out there to be published, this is the book for you. It is a must have for any kind of artist. I was amazed to find all the listings they offer in here. Each listing is detailed into type of work, contact info, and the book is indexed real well. It is categorized and also you can look people up by their name as well. Another great feature of this book is there is a glossary in the back if you are unfamiliar with any terms used in it. This book will be so valuable to me. If you are serious about getting published but you don't know where to even start, get this book. Very important tool.

Perfect transaction. Prompt secure shipping. Would definitely buy from again.