Useful Advice from Its Nice That

This morning I visited Its Nice That's studio and had a coffee with Lucy Bourton - who gave a talk at the 'We Are Here' event at Hanbury Hall in January. The studio was a really inviting and open space, housing Its Nice That as well as Lecture in Progress and Anyways Creative Agency. Recently I have been going back and forth with the idea of either working freelance or pursuing a post-graduate job that is still creatively aligned but more 9 to 5. The studio did reflect the kind of working environment that I would like in the future - surrounded by creative people, everyone engaging with some form of art and design. Freelancing, in comparison, seems like it could be more creatively fulfilling on a personal level but limiting in terms of being at home and working alone - as I especially could not afford studio fees for a while. 

Speaking to Lucy about this she suggested a couple of different jobs within Its Nice That or that exist across studios in general: 

• A lot of illustrators she knows work as studio managers. Often this is only a 3 day week, leaving the rest to work on personal projects or client briefs. 
• Project Manager - commissioning and talking to illustrators/designers. Scouting out spaces for events. 
• Staff Writer (Lucy's job) - writing content for Its Nice That. 

Lucy mentioned that internships at Its Nice That may be coming up soon which I would be very interested in applying to - other possible places she suggested as well were: 

• Nowness
• Risotto
• Hato Press
• Dazed

In terms of getting my work out there and possibly gaining editorial work, she also suggested emailing a pdf portfolio to student-friendly magazines asking for advice:

• The Smudge (Clay Hixon)
• Shortlist
• Intern mag

After Hanbury Hall I was concerned that my portfolio of work does not have a clear sense of direction, both in terms of content and visual aesthetics. The trouble is I enjoy creating work that is highly shape-based and abstract, but also like dealing with editorial or research-based briefs that need more figurative illustrations to communicate with an audience. I am also constantly looking to expand my work - into animation or illustrative products like ceramics, weave or print. Lucy made the point that diversity in style or application is good, just that as a practitioner you need to demonstrate that there is a consistency within each of these aesthetics so that a client knows your reliable - angle and edit your portfolio towards your employer, if only one type of imagery is appropriate then that is what you should show them. Its Nice That also look for a series or collection of images - a passion project that can written about as a singular piece. 

Moving Forward:

• Keep an eye out on https://www.ifyoucouldjobs.com/ for internships. 
• Email Lucy inviting her to the end year show in London. 
• Create portfolios to send to different avenues of work - e.g. magazines (editorial), print studios.