Irresistible Art - Design, for Successful Business
Art can be a wonderful hobby.
Art can be a business - maybe even a successful business.
Business requires a plan and a strategy.
Do you really want to be in business or do you just like to paint what you like?
Painting on canvas or paper is not the only way to sell art.
Do you know what it takes to be a freelance designer, an artist earning a living?
Aspiring to show your art in an art gallery is a worthy goal, and it is the goal of thousands of other artists who are still standing in line.
Many artists use a sketchbook for doodling, improving drawing skills, painting inspiration, practicing brush, pen, pencil, and mixed media techniques.
Up your game, increase your skills, try something new.
Serendipity is where the gold is, as explained by the dictionary:
- "the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way"
- "finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for"
- "making desirable discoveries by accident"
Learning new skills is part of the job of being a successful artist.
It is also highly recommended that you learn to use simple computer software programs to expand your capabilities. It will allow you to use your art across more platforms.
With the right products, you can approach every retail store, many small/large businesses and sell online. You can partner with someone else in the manufacturing industry by licensing your art. You can put your art and/or message on coffee mugs, large cups, T-shirts, greeting cards and much more.
Designers create a need (want) or fill a need.
Steve Jobs taught us something about design. The more original it is, the better, especially if it is something nobody else ever imagined. If your art or product is "delightful," people will buy it when they don't need it and/or when it is the most expensive version in its field.
It's not just about creating art that you enjoy.
Business principles - people won't buy a design, a product, or your art unless it adds one of these to their lives:
- speaks to them in an understandable way
- illustrates a message
- improves their life
- reduces fear
- safety
- security
- combines functions, condenses, reduces size
- works faster
- simpler, easier to use
- organizes
- solves a problem
- fills an emotional need
- connects, touches an emotion
- improves their mood
- gives them a voice
- decorative element
- matches decor colors
- appealing color
- sets a stage
- builds and represents the customer's self image
- aesthetically satisfying
- sheer beauty
- stylish
- whimsical
- incredibly cute
- relieves a private pain
- maintains health
- necessary to live
Is something missing... wrong color... not enough contrast... uncertain message... just not delightful?
Components and stages of design:
- strategy
- empathy
- insight
- analysis of most important message
- define the goal
- theory
- rules
- concept
- research
- curiosity
- creativity
- multiple solutions
- innovation
- strategy
- prototype
- implementation
- competition
- desire
- functionality
- usefulness
- mood
- delightful
- value
- image
- shape
- brand
- communicate with the user
- engagement
- beliefs
- values
- behavior patterns
- culture
- flexibility
- what feeling is conveyed
- feedback
- evolution
- trend
- get all the facts about the project - problem - goal - illustration
- investigate, ask questions, work from a list
- size of the location of use
- message
- goal (subject to change), test model, emotion, influence, money, traffic, new customers
- size of finished project
- identify the colors that are currently in use
- identify the colors that will convey the message
- identify materials to be used
- articulate the benefits and rewards of the project
- articulate color vocabulary (yellow is happy, etc)
- write out the known parameters plus new proposals including date of delivery
- explain revision policy
- explain early termination policy (both sides)
- write out the details of the final project to be delivered and method
- cost with 2 drafts
- write out the cost with additional revisions
- write out deposit amount, payment schedule
- obtain signatures of decision makers
- test the waters
- give away free samples
- drafts, produce multiple art drafts quickly, repeat
- pivot, regroup as needed (as new insights are provided by the client about what they don't like)
- keep spinning the best face on the project
- learn and use materials and equipment at the expert level
- avoid experimenting with new materials and tools under a deadline
- test for responses, appeal, acceptance
- persistence
- don't give up
- present the finished product
Your art has to say something to someone.
It could just be the realization of shared pain. But usually, it is a positive, uplifting, encouraging message that connects.
And to be financially successful, it has to speak eloquently to a lot of people.
It's not about painting what you like to paint. It's about you providing me with something I like.
More to come.
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