Building an Art Licensing Portfolio with Elizabeth Silver
We recently had the pleasure of chatting with surface pattern designer and educator, Elizabeth Silver.
Watch the full discussion over on our IGTV: part one | part two
What’s surface design?
Designing for products - and Elizabeth has a ton of experience, plus she used to work in house as a print stylist for Baby Gap which makes my heart pitter patter - prints on kids clothes are always SO CUTE! Some of her projects include greeting cards, wrapping paper, party plates, dinner wear, socks, quilting fabric and more.
If you’re still confused: art licensing is when you “rent out” your artwork to a company that can mass manufacture the product, and you (typically) get credit for it. Want to learn more about it? We’ve got a FREE training you can sign up for!
Elizabeth has a great bi-weekly newsletter where she sends out trend forecasting once a month. I love getting these and seeing the trends she’s finding as an expert in the field!
How many pieces should you have in an art licensing portfolio?
Having 10 solid pieces (maybe not your first ten), is a great place to start. The most important thing is GETTING STARTED!
Just get started! Why wait until you have 50 pieces? Your work will evolve, so start with a solid 10. Remember that trends change, and you’re not a machine! You want FRESH, SOLID work that shows your capabilities.
PUT OUT THE WORK YOU WANT TO GET!
Should I design in collections or one-off pieces?
An art licensing collection is a group of patterns or illustrations (or a mix) that are all on the same theme, look the same, could work together if they were made into coordinating products. A great example is bedding - a fitted sheet, duvet (double sided), accent pillow etc., will all coordinate. Another great example is a box set of cards. Even if created as a collection, it can still be sold as individual pieces.
Collections are not required, but they’re really helpful for workflow for several reasons. First, you never know how the artwork will be used, and second, getting inspired, and working with one trend for several pieces is an effective way to build your portfolio!
How do you stay on top of the trends and forecast what buyers are looking for?
There are trend guides you can buy, (but like, can they actually predict the future?). Elizabeth talked to us about how trends really last a long time. Look for products you’d like to buy, and design for them! Look for subject matter, layouts, colors, icons, etc.
What’s your number one tip for getting your work “out there”.
Send your work to people who you want to see it! Take the leap and take that first step! It might pay off today, or maybe years later - it’s all about putting yourself out there and start building relationships! Just go for it! Practice makes perfect, and as your work evolves and gets even better, you can circle back and show them!
We hope this conversation encouraged you to start putting your work out there! Check out the full interview over on our IGTV (part one | part two).
Be sure to check out Elizabeth’s educational content and free newsletter!
