Why Live Events are future-proof and every Fashion Illustrator should be offering them
The uptick in popularity for Live Event illustration jobs in the last few years is insane!
I remember 7 years ago pitching it to brands and them not even knowing what it was…
Got a reply from Manolo Blahnik HQ saying ‘Mr Blahnik still completes all his own sketches for each season.’
I wasn’t emailing to replace him babes!
But Live Event Illustration is currently the strongest opportunity for Fashion Illustrators, it’s one of the most in demand and lucrative jobs out there and demand doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
So here’s a few reasons why live events are only gonna get stronger, and why every Fashion Illustrator should be jumping on the bandwagon!
1. Most brands are only just starting to utilise them
The enquiries I’ve been getting over the past year or two have not only increased but also had a much wider scope. Normally you’d have a couple clients that you work with consistently, but recently more and more brands have been enquiring about it, meaning the service is catching people’s attention!
2. They’re not limited to Capital cities
Most events up until recently have happened at the main flagship stores for brands, London, Milan, New York, Paris, but now the success of event illustration has been proven, they’re starting to branch from the major cities outwards, most brand have shops in every state or city, so a majority of shopping hubs will probably begin looking for an event illustrator, if they haven’t already!
3. It’s a form of entertainment
Whilst the end result is important, you’re mainly booked for the spectacle and entertainment value of it, being there on the night, interacting with guests, and creating something before their eyes, it’s all human connection that can’t be threatened by any generative artwork systems or methods.
4. Professionals in the Illustration industry are taking note
Most professionals in industry are starting to focus and take note more of in person activations due to the increased use of ai and generative artwork in editorial and publishing work.
5. The scope is huge!
It’s not only fashion brands that want to do events, but restaurants, clubs, bars, jewellers, all these brands are looking for reasons to get people to an event or in store and make it memorable, so fashion illustrations don’t have to be limited to fashion brands.
6. Weddings!
Then there’s the entire wedding industry, the popularity of event artists at weddings is ever growing, you think how long photographers at weddings have been booking work, the amount of weddings there are, and the want for every bride or groom to have a memorable day with keepsakes for their guests, the potential for wedding events alone is huge.
7. And then there’s private events!
On top of all the fashion events, commercial brand events and weddings, there’s also birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, christmas parties, bridal showers, hen do’s, baby showers, people are constantly looking for exciting and interesting things to have at their parties, so the scope and potential for live illustration is truly colossal.
8. More locally based work
Whereas campaign work or editorials need only one illustrator to create something that is used and seen globally, live events have a chance for you to really foster a local community, think of all the people in your local area who are getting married, having milestone birthday parties, Christmas do’s etc, you don’t need to move to London or New York to get this work, it’s on your front door step!
9. Repeated booking
As it’s a personalised drawing, everyone gets their own, so even if the same shop hosts the same event the next day or a week later, it’ll be a completely new group of customers that attend and therefore a whole new audience to draw.
Even if you get the same audience, I’ve had people come up to me and say ‘you drew this for me last time but this time can I get this picture instead!’ Unlike a lot of gifts, goody bags or freebies, a drawing has a unique value each and every time, so people love getting multiples done!
10. Condensed income
Because they’re a very specifically skilled job, the hourly rate at live events is much higher than a lot of other project work. To earn the monthly amount you need, it’s much more achievable to book 2 events a month than get 10 commissions or sell 30 prints or to book 8 editorials to earn the same amount.
There you go! 10 reasons why anyone who can hold a pencil should be jumping on the ol’ live event illustration bandwagon.
Also, surprise!
I've just opened the exclusive presale for my Live Event Masterclass.
Presale buyers get peace of mind knowing you’ve secured your spot, as well as a 1:1 mentoring session with me for the first 5 to purchase and immediate access to a bonus module, so you can begin honing your skills straight away!
If you want to level up your live event illustrations, grab your space!
The course begins 5th May, there’s only 15 spaces, initial spaces sold out both times on launch day, so thought this presale would give people more time to grab their space!
This is also the final round where I’ll be offering the course at this price, as I said above, live events are lucrative! You can earn the course price back in less than 2 hours, so the price is going to start reflecting that next time!
See you in there!
x
