PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

1. Getting Commissions: Zhenya’s video shows an account of current professional practice. Zhenya (Youtube account username: @zz_fashion_illustrator) explains the stages of working with Vouge Taiwan discussing the interactions, the brief and process. Marketing is vital to gain freelance work: "the art director saw my work on instagram art directors usually use three platforms this is instagram, behance and LinkedIn I recommend using these three platforms…where there are art directors and creative people" (Zhenya,2022). Once given the brief: "had to create illustrations in my artistic interpretation" (Zhenya,2022).

3. Tips for Success: Planning out your time is essential, for a magazine the turnaround is quick with regular publications. A short time frame can be positive: "the works look better when you draw to order you have limits" (Zhenya,2022). Sometimes you should step out of your comfort zone to fit the client’s vision, Zhenya (2022) elaborates: "I’m used to drawing more restrained illustrations it’s an extravagant image". The key message is that "it is very important to draw and create your own style in illustration…find your artistic strengths" (Zhenya,2022). This is important, even if you market yourself you need to stand out with recognisable work.

4. Working Relationships: Within the practice you need to consider your working relationships: "you will work with different people which have a different character and different cultures some people may be extroverts others introverts it is necessary to observe professional ethics here" (Zhenya,2022).

5. Rights, Obligations and Financial Planning: Zhenya (2022) states "when you work without an agent you must take into account your rights and obligations magazines don’t pay for work right away". Fashion illustrators need to carefully plan, making sure that they can cover expenses including travel, materials and essential bills whilst waiting for their income.