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A MUST read is Kate Harper's five part article "Dealing With Rejection: Tips for Card Designers" that uses examples for card designers but is directly applicable to the entire art licensing industry. Below are my comments on some of the tips Kate mentions in the articles. These apply to the entire art licensing industry.
1. Approach the right Manufacturer. It is usually a waste of time to submit designs to manufacturers that do not use your type of art style and/or images. Of course, there are always exceptions and manufacturers may decide to branch out.
2. Get feedback when rejected. This is very important so that you learn what type of art and images that the manufacturer wants. Knowing this information is HUGE because you can use it to create art that they DO want.
Get feedback from more than one manufacturer in the same industry. Just because one manufacturer is not interested in your work does not mean that another won't be. But if you get rejected by several, it is time to either adjust your art or move on to submitting your art to another industry.
3. Be willing to change your art. Licensing is a business. If you are unwilling to alter your art to manufacturers specifications than licensing may not be the right business for you. Manufacturers know their customers and what sells. Be prepared to change a color, crop or add to the design, and remove or add a motif.
If you have any comments about this article, please voice them in the below comment section.
Joan, do you have any advice about what to include (and NOT include) in a query letter/letter of intent when submitting your work to a rep or manufacturer? I think I'm ready to go, but this part of the package has me fully stumped! Your blog is so helpful, thanks!
ReplyDeleteJennifer Addotta
Hi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great question for a future article! But so you don't have to wait until I do write an article, the following are some points to consider. If at all possible find out the name of the person in charge of licensing and address the query to her/him. Make the query short. Introduce yourself and say that you would like to license your art. Tell her/him why your art is just right for the companies products (shows you've done your homework) and mention any success you've had in licensing your art (if any). Make sure you mention that more examples of your art can be found on your website, give her the password if it is protected (or tell her to contact you for it), and include your contact information. Attach jpg(s) of art/tearsheet(s) and make sure your contact information is on EACH piece of art sent. Good luck!
Joan