Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Illustration Employment Resources

The internet offers new and wide ranging possibilities for illustrators seeking full-time job positions or freelance commissions. Websites are now established that connect employers with potential employees, and job seekers with employers who are advertising positions for hire.
© 2014 Don Arday.
Although by no means complete, the list below is provided as an online resource for those who are looking for work. And while on that subject, online resources should only be one part of your job seeking prospecting. Along with full-time employment and freelance sites, directories to various agencies and lists that can be a source for information and connections are also provided. Not represented here are sites that require a browsing fee, membership subscription, or the purchase of a list or book.

Search Recommendations

Although it is easy to click on a link and very quickly begin to search for job offering it can also be a bit tricky as well. So here are some suggestions that should help when you enter one of these sites.

Adapt to the Terminology of the Site

Nearly every one of these sites uses its own terminology to categorize a type of job. For instance, one site lists illustration jobs under the category of “Art/Design” while another site lists them under “Design & Multimedia”.

Use Multiple Keywords

Most of these sites use a combination of word types to identify categories and jobs. So a site might use career classification words like “Illustration” and Graphic Design” in the same category list with type of work words like “Posters” and “Logo Design”. Some even add skill descriptive words to the list like “Photoshop” or “InDesign”.

Follow the Links

To really get to the heart of a job offering you should follow the link and subsequent links until you are able to read the entire job description and obtain the information you need. Some of the listings are only partial descriptions of jobs or freelance projects.

Note Salary and Dollar Amounts

Many of the listings state the compensation amount up front, some are realistic, and some are nothing more than highway robbery. Freelance jobs can be listed by a fixed price or by an hourly rate and number of hours. Take care. Some sites are set up to benefit the employers while others try to benefit job seekers and freelancers.

Be Flexible With Job Titles

Some job titles are well established and understood by the industries they serve such as Graphic Designer, Industrial Designer, etc. Other job titles are much less defined and can vary widely in job descriptions. One of these is “Concept Artist”, which to an employer can mean anything from Animator, to Storyboard Artist, to User Interface Designer, to Digital Painter, to Game Artist, and others.  

Full Time Employment

iHire Commercial Art

Whether you need a job or need to hire, iHireCommercialArt is a niche job board dedicated solely to the Commercial Art industry; they bring Commercial Art jobs and Commercial Art job seekers together to make successful employment possible. From illustrators to photographers to art directors and more, you can find a job or fill an opening quickly and easily on iHireCommercialArt.

For job seekers, we take the "search" out of your job search. iHireCommercialArt gives you a single place to find Commercial Art jobs that are posted across the internet. We don't just wait for employers to come to us; we also actively collect online job listings from places like small and large business websites, employment classifieds, government databases, industry associations and more. As a member of iHireCommercialArt, you can access all of these jobs in one place so you spend less time searching and more time interviewing.

Jobs can be searched for by job title alone or by job title and state. The site lists 3D Designer Jobs, Art Director Jobs, Art Manager Jobs, Artist Jobs, Associate Art Director Jobs, Cartoonist Jobs, Color Design Consultant Jobs, Design Assistant Jobs, Desktop Publisher Jobs, Exhibit Designer Jobs, Fabric Designer Jobs, Graphic Artist Jobs, Graphic Designer Jobs, Graphic Technician Jobs, Illustrator Jobs, Interior Designer Jobs, Layout Artist Jobs, Medical Illustrator Jobs, Multi Media Animator Jobs, Multi Media Designer Jobs, Mural Designer Jobs, Painter Jobs, Pattern Design Jobs, Photographer Jobs, Promotion Designer Jobs, Scientific Illustrator Jobs, Set Designer Jobs, Technical Illustrator Jobs, Textile Designer Jobs, and Videographer Jobs.

Basic Membership
When you register with iHireCommercialArt, you will automatically get a free Basic Membership. The basic membership includes the following:
1. You can set up a profile and tell us which types of jobs you are looking for. Each week, we’ll email you new matching jobs so you can stay current on what jobs are available in your area.
2. You will be able to upload your resume and make it searchable. Making your resume searchable is optional, but, by doing so, you allow employers in our network to find you and view your resume when they look for candidates with your qualifications.
3. You will be allowed to search jobs. As a Basic Member, you will see the full content (title, location, company, description, how to apply) of our featured jobs. The content of non-featured jobs is reserved exclusively for our Premium Members, but you can browse their titles and partial descriptions to watch for that perfect opportunity.


Indeed

Since 2004, Indeed has given job seekers free access to millions of jobs from thousands of company websites and job boards. As the leading pay-for-performance recruitment advertising network, Indeed drives millions of targeted applicants to jobs in every field and is the most cost-effective source of candidates for thousands of companies. Founded by Paul Forster and Rony Kahan, Indeed is a subsidiary of Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. Indeed has offices in Austin, Mountain View, New York and Stamford in the US, as well as offices in Dublin and London.

You can search for jobs from the Indeed home page or in the 'What'/'Where' boxes at the top of any page. To run a search, simply type keywords into the 'What' box describing the kind of job you want, and enter a city, state/province or zip/postal code in the 'Where' box. Then click the 'Find Jobs' button or hit the Enter key on your keyboard. Take a look at their job search tips for more guidance, or try the advanced job search for additional options. After you've run a search, click on any job title to view the job details. This takes you out of Indeed to the website listing the job.

You can upload your resume to the site so employers can find you and have access to your work experience, skill set, and credentials.

Advanced search allows you to search by job title, location, salary level, job type, and more. Job title searches generate the number of jobs listed along with subcategories under major job types such as “Graphic Designer”, which yields Web Designer, Art Director, Graphic Design Intern, Designer, Junior Graphic Designer, Junior Designer, Senior Visual Designer, Senior Designer, Interactive Designer, Design Intern, Ui/Ux Designer, etc.


Find The Right Job

Find The Right Job allows job seekers to search for jobs by industry. Under the Arts/Design Jobs category careers in animation, graphic design, game design, advertising, architecture, fashion design, interior design, photography, illustration, and industrial design await those who wish to enter the wonderful world of arts and design (their language not mine) are all listed. Registration is required to access the full search database.

The job portal offers a quick and easy way for job seekers to view local, relevant job listings and apply for the positions that are the best match. Job seekers can also subscribe to "News You Need," featuring insightful blog entries on popular career fields, social media, preparing for the job search, and strategies to get the job. Job seekers can read up on "Employer Trends," with helpful entries on hiring resources, entry-level placement, commission position placement, and employer attitudes.

In addition to providing job listings, Find The Right Job offers articles that provide useful advice on all sorts of job related subjects. Some of the article titles available are “Job Hunting Gimmicks: Creative or Crazy?”, “The Walt Disney Company: A Magical Company, A Magical Career.”, “Job Hunting Advice: Olympic Style.”, and 5 Ways to Research Companies You Want to Work For.”


Monster

Monster pioneered the business of digital recruiting in 1994, and today we are the only online recruitment provider able to service customers on a truly global basis. Monster Worldwide has an unparalleled international reach with a presence in approximately 50 countries around the world. Monster pioneered the notion of helping people get more out of work by showing them that a better job was out there. And helping them find it at Monster. But the workplace has evolved; people expect more control; people seek more perspective; people crave more enrichment. Monster believes it is more than just a marketplace for jobs. Monster doesn't just sell better jobs they say they want to help promote better lives.

Although Monster is not as illustrator/artist centric as some of the other job listing sites, you can still enter a job title, keywords, company name, or location to conduct a search. You can also browse categories and industries for listings. Some of the category listings include Creative Design Jobs, Editorial Jobs, IT Jobs, etc. Industry selection choices include Advertising Jobs, Personal Services Jobs, and Education Jobs.

Personal information such as a resume can be uploaded to Monsters database. There are even resume writing tips to assist you with writing a resume. Monster contains many articles about the entire job seeking process as well as other career resources, advice and services. Monster also contains a salary wizard powered by salaries.com that lists salaries by job title and location.


Careerbuilder

CareerBuilder was founded in 1995 and now has more than 24 million unique visitors a month visit CareerBuilder to find new jobs and obtain career advice. With more than one million jobs, CareerBuilder.com® is the largest career site in the United States. CareerBuilder has tools for every part of your job search including résumé writing assistance, skills training, and free skills tests and salary calculators. Get expert advice on job search tactics, employment trends and workplace issues from CareerBuilder’s vast library of articles and videos, as well as its job seeker blog, www.TheWorkBuzz.com.

You can still enter keywords and/or location to conduct a basic search or you can browse by category, company, city, or state. A dropdown menu to help with Careerbuilder’s terminology supports keyword entries. For instance, when I entered “Illustration” in the title search, Careerbuilder suggested “Visual Designer Illustrator”. Using that title search resulted in more listings.

Careerbuilder provides resume services including an online resume builder and even a resume writer that provides basic statements and templates for a fee. The site offers job matching technology to target jobs that match keywords in your resume, the jobs you view and might apply for. The more you use Careerbuilder.com the better the job matches become. Uploading your resume is the easiest and fastest way to start getting Job Recommendations.


One of the best offerings on the Careerbuilder site is the link to Jobology: 153 Ways to Improve Your Job Search, a 19-page well organized guide to job searching.


Authentic Jobs

Since 2005, qualified candidates have been applying for great opportunities at Apple, Facebook, MSNBC.com, frog design, The Motley Fool, Estée Lauder, Turner Sports Interactive, ESPN, HBO, Phinney Bischoff, Garmin, Sony BMG, Electronic Arts, HP and many other companies large and small. Our filter controls make it easy to narrow your preferences and save them in your account. In addition to listings being featured on authenticjobs.com, listings are also featured on cameronmoll.comand on about 20 partner websites that are targeted to the job seekers you’re hoping fill your position. Together, these sites capture millions of page views every month and hundreds of thousands of unique visitors.

Not as illustrator/artist focused as some of the other job listing sites, you can look for opportunities by the type of job you are seeking. The categories include Full-time, Part-time, Contract, Freelance, Moonlighting, and even Internship.


Krop

Krop started in 2000 as a private mailing list among top designers, eventually growing into a small job board on our design community website, Newstoday/QBN. Krop provides a creative industry job board and portfolio hosting website that is used by the most talented candidates at all experience levels, and the globe's most respected creative brands. A creative industry standard, Krop.com is visited over 1 million times a month while still owned by the same designers who started it. Krop lists an impressive group of clients including GUCCI, Apple, Forbes, Nike, Google, Guggenheim Museum, Yahoo!, Facebook, Motorola, ABC News, Turner Broadcasting, The New York Times, Nintendo, Orbitz, Deep Focus, Dreamworks, Microsoft, Paramount, NBC, ABC, MTV, Netflix, VH1, ESPN, FOX, and many, many more.

Krop not only lists jobs that can be searched by keyword and location, but the site also provides the tools to format and display a portfolio so employers can review the work of artists. They also feature work in a place, which they call “Pluck’t”.


Coroflot

Design-driven companies worldwide use Coroflot to recruit a full spectrum of creative talent. Coroflot is widely used by artists and creatives to display projects and portfolios of their work, but Coroflot also hosts a job board that lists job offerings from some of the most respected creative employers out there. With over 1000 job listings Coroflot is definitely worth following. Categories include Animation, 3D Modeling, Character Design, Concept Art, Fashion and Apparel, Illustration, Model Making, Soft Goods, Graphic Design, Set Design, and many more. Employers such as Hallmark, Landor and Associates, NBC, Puma, 3M, etc.


Freelance Commissions

Elance

As the name implies, Elance is a site devoted to connecting employers with freelancers on a project-by-project basis. Elance is a popular place to find, hire, manage and collaborate with online freelancers, and for freelancers to do likewise. As of this posting there were nearly 6000 job posts under the category of Design and Multimedia, which contains a number of subcategories including Illustration, Art, Cartoons & Comics, Graphic Design, Logos, Animation, and many more. Jobs vary widely in the amount of compensation listed, but there are some that are fairly priced. Artists can also post a portfolio so that employers can view their work and offer them commissions.


Guru

Guru for Freelancers offers the opportunity to market sought-after skills to a global audience with minimal cost. Innovative features, such as online portfolios, give Freelancers a cutting edge platform on which to highlight their skills and experiences in attracting or retaining business. Total Marketing Score data teaches Freelancers about their personal strengths and weaknesses so that every service provider on our site has support in becoming a successful free agent – an online entrepreneur with a core market niche. Even if you work with an employer on the other side of the world, your payment is secure using SafePay. The employer pays us before the work begins. As approved milestones are reached and the employer approves the work, we pay you.

The Art Design and Multimedia Category contained well over 9000 listings in the categories of Design, Illustration, 3D, Animation and categories of software expertise in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. There were 1800 in Illustration alone. Job compensation is listed by an hourly rate and a job minimum. Jobs vary widely in the amount of compensation listed, but there are some that are fairly priced.


oDesk

oDesk adopted a few simple principles to ensure success for all users, including the oDesk guarantee that an hour worked is an hour paid, and an hour paid is an hour worked. oDesk believes that as a Freelancer, you have the right to be paid for every hour worked—on time, every time; work where you want, when you want; set an hourly rate based on your skills, experience, and reputation; and have access to the tools you need to build your business online.

Creative job listings can be found under the major category of Design and Multimedia, which listed almost 6500 jobs. Subcategories include Illustration, Print Design, Animation, and more. Illustration had over 475 listings. Jobs vary widely in the amount of compensation listed, but there are some that are fairly priced.


Freelancer

Freelancer.com is the world's largest freelancing, outsourcing, and crowd-sourcing marketplace for small business with over 10 million users to hire a freelancer for contract work. In the Design Media and Architecture section you can browse through more than one hundred skill categories including Illustration, Covers and Packaging, Graphic Design, Caricatures and Cartoons, Animation, etc.

As a service to its freelancers, Freelancer offers advice to freelancers about the potential pitfalls of contract work and how to avoid them. You can check the employer’s profile for details that will give you a general idea of what type of employer you are dealing with. You can also look at a user’s reputation rating and read feedback left by other freelancers about their experiences working with that employer. This feedback, when available, can be indispensable in providing an overview of an employer’s interactions with past contractors. Jobs vary widely in the amount of compensation listed, but there are some that are fairly priced.


Directories

Advertising Age

A long time fixture in the advertising industry, Advertising Age Magazine provides an online directory of Advertising agencies with links to all the agencies listed. Job seekers can follow links to the company websites to follow up on job possibilities.


Comic Art Links Directory

The Comic Art Links Directory provided by Dragonberry not only proved a large list of comic artists with links to their individual websites it also provides a directory of comic book publishers with links to their sites. These sites could be possible locations for job seekers interested in the comic industry.


Core 77 Design Directory

The Core 77 Directory is a comprehensive guide to the design firms and creative agencies. Core77 publishes articles, videos, discussion forums, an extensive event calendar, a database of design firms, schools, vendors and services. Core77 provides a gathering point for designers and enthusiasts alike by producing an annual awards program, design competitions, lecture series, parties, and exhibits. Its sister site, Coroflot, focuses on designer portfolios and design jobs, and boasts a population of over 235,000 portfolios, all searchable from anywhere on the internet.


Directory of Illustration Artists Rep Index

There are links to the websites of over 40 artist’s representatives in the Directory’s Artist’s Rep Index. These sites not only display the work of the artists that are represented, but many have contact information and directions on how to submit work for consideration.


The Agent List

The Agent List claims to be the best way to find artist agents worldwide. And although it is primarily geared to photography reps, there are a number of reps listed that do illustration also. The site is searchable by agent, keyword, or location.


The Open Directory Project (DMOZ)

Another Directory of artist’s representatives is DMOZ. With over 30 organizations listed DMOZ can connect an illustrator to rep firms that may specialize in their particular area such as storyboards. The DMOZ acronym comes from directory.mozilla.org, its original domain name.


Folioplanet Representatives

Folioplanet.com contains a directory of representatives as well as a list of their talent and a link to their websites where contact info can be found.


The Yellow Pages

The Yellow Pages is an often forgotten resource these days, and it is now accessible online. As an example the web address below provided links to over 100 artist representatives in the New York City area.



Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Electronic Copyright Registration For Illustrators

© 2014 Don Arday.
The least expensive and quickest way to register an illustration with the Library
of Congress Copyright Office is to do it electronically.

Although electronic registration may be convenient way to do, it isn’t necessarily as easy as it should be. So, as complicated as this article may appear,
it is an attempt to help make the process easier and to clarify some of the confounding portions of the eCO application.

1. Access the Electronic Copyright Office (eCO)

Go to http://www.copyright.gov/eco/ using one of the following browsers.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
Netscape Navigator 7.02
Firefox 2.0

Disable pop-up blockers and 3rd party toolbars.
Select Open Links as a New Tab or As New Window in your browser preferences.

2. Create an eCO Account

Create a user account with login, password, and contact info at

3. Fill Out the eCO Application Form

Click on Register a New Claim.

Proceed through the data entry screens.

The fee for electronic filing is $35 per claim payable through pay.gov at the end of the application process.

Type of Claim

Identify the type of claim being registered.

To the prompt I am registering one work.
Answer Yes if you are registering a single illustration.

Answer No if you are registering more than one work, an unpublished collection such as a portfolio, a published collection like a series of illustrations in a children’s book, a multi-part work like a book cover series, a website, Multiple works as part of a Group registration like an author and illustrator together.

To the prompt The work being registered was created by one individual.
Answer Yes if the work you are registering was created by one individual and is solely owned by the same individual.

Answer No if the work you are registering was created by more than one individual or the work was created as a “work made for hire

To the prompt Copyright in the work is solely owned by the person who created it.
Answer Yes if the work was created by a single individual who is the sole copyright owner.

Answer No if there is more than one owner of copyright in the work you are registering or there has been a transfer of copyright ownership by written agreement or operation of law, from the work’s creator to another party

Type of Work

Identify the type of work being registered.

Select Visual Arts if you are registering a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work. Visual Arts works include two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of fine, graphic, and applied art, photographs, prints and art reproductions, maps, technical drawings, and architectural works.

To register Multiple Unpublished Works as a Single Claim with a single application and fee, they must be grouped as a collection under a single Collection Title and must meet the following requirements: At least one author must have contributed to every work, and the ownership of every work in the collection must be the same. This means that the authors of each work must be the same.

Title(s) of Work

Title the work(s).

Click Title Type to select the type of title. The options are Title of Work Being Registered, Previous or Alternative Title, Title of a Larger Work, Series Title, and Contents Title.

Select Title of Work Being Registered first whether you are registering a single illustration or a collection, then enter the title.

Then select Contents Title and add the titles of each image if entering a collection of work.

Click Save and repeat the process for each additional work.

Publication Confirmation

Confirm whether it has been published.

Select Yes or No.  
         
Publication results from the distribution of copies of a work to the public by sale, lending or other transfer of ownership. A work is also "published" if there has been an offering to distribute copies to a group of persons for purposes of further distribution, public performance, or public display. A public performance or display does not, by itself, constitute "publication".

Authorship Declaration/Contribution

Name the author(s) of the work being registered.

Click Add Me if you are an author and your name appears in the User Profile for this account.

Click New to add an author not associated with the account.             
                                   
Then click Save and repeat the process for each additional author.

The application should name all the authors of the authorship being registered. Be sure to enter a citizenship status.   
                       
Select all categories that describe the author’s contribution.
Text Photograph(s) / Jewelry Design / Architectural Work / 2-D Artwork
Sculpture / Map / Technical Drawing / Other                                                                                                                                                             

Claimants      

Identify the copyright claimant(s) in this work.

Click Add Me if you are the claimant and your name appears in the User Profile for this account.

Click New to add a claimant not associated with the account.            
                                   
Then click Save and repeat the process for each additional claimant. 
          
The author is the original copyright claimant. The claimant may          
also be a person or organization to whom copyright has been transferred. A claimant must own the copyright in all the authorship covered by this registration.
           

Limitation of a Claim

Identify any possible claim limitations.

Click Continue to proceed if your work does not contain any preexisting material.

Complete this screen to limit your claim if this work contains or is based on previously registered material, previously published material, material in the public domain, or material not owned by you. The purpose of this section is to exclude such material from the claim and identify the new material upon which the present claim is based.

If the claim contains preexisting material then identify the following.
                       
Declare the material to be excluded.
Text / Photograph(s) / Jewelry Design / Architectural Work / 2-D Artwork
Sculpture / Map / Technical Drawing / Other                                                                                                                            
Supply the previous registration # and date of registration.
Text / Photograph(s) / Jewelry Design / Architectural Work / 2-D Artwork
Sculpture / Map / Technical Drawing / Other    
                                                                                                                                               

Rights and Permissions

Identify a contact person to manage the copyright.

You may identify yourself.

Or you may provide contact information for a person and/or organization to be contacted regarding copyright management information or permission to use this work.

Correspondent

Identify who should be contacted concerning the application.

You may identify yourself.

Or you may provide contact information for a person and/or organization to be contacted regarding the copyright application.

Mail Certificate

Provide the name and address to which the registration certificate should be mailed.         
                       
You may identify yourself.

Or you may provide contact information for a person and/or organization.

Special Handling (Not Recommended)

An expedited processing and delivery service for filers who must satisfy one or more of the compelling reasons below. The fee ranges from $760 and up.

Pending or prospective litigation.  
                       
Customs matters.                 
           
Contract or publishing deadlines that necessitate an expedited issuance of a certificate.
           

Certification

Agree to the prompt and provide the name of the certifier.  

The Application must be certified by the author, copyright claimant, or owner of exclusive right(s), or by the authorized agent of any of the preceding. 
                                                                                  
17 USC 506(e): Any person who knowingly makes a false representation of a material fact in the application for copyright registration provided by section 409, or in any written statement filed with the application, shall be fined not more than $2500.
                                                           

Review Submission

Review the entire submission on this screen.

If you need to revise any information, you can return to the appropriate data entry screen to make the revision. Proceed when the entire submission is correct.

Click Add to Cart if the entire submission is correct.      
           
Warning: Once you submit your application, you cannot make changes to it. Therefore, review the information carefully before proceeding. 

4. Payment

Click Checkout. You will be redirected to pay.gov.

Proceed through the payment data screens.

Payment Method

Select either Deposit Account or Credit Card/ACH.

The direct deposit option is for a direct transfer from your bank account.

Provide your account type (checking or savings), your bank’s routing number, and your account number.

Review and authorize payment, and provide email address for confirmation.

Credit Card
Pay via Mastercard, VISA, American Express, or Discover.

Provide your account holder name, billing address (for the card), card number, security code, and the expiration date.

Review and authorize payment, and provide email address for confirmation.

Direct Deposit
The deposit account option is for payment from a pre-established account.

Review and authorize payment.

5. Upload Your Images

Convert your file type to one of the following formats

You can review eCO acceptable image file types formats at http://www.copyright.gov/eco/help-file-types.html. Visit http://www.copyright.gov/eco/tips.pdf for eCO Tips on file size, band width and creating ZIP files.

.bmp (Bitmap Image)
.dwg (AutoCAD Drawing)
.dwf (Autodesk Design)
.fdr (Final Draft)
.gif, .giff (Graphics Interchange Format)
.jpg, .jpeg, .jfif (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
.pdf (Portable Document Format)
.pic, .pict (Picture File)
.png (Portable Network Graphic)
.psd (Photoshop Document)
.pub (Microsoft Publisher)
.tga (Targa Graphic)
.tif, .tiff (Tagged Image File Format)
.wmf (Windows Metafile)

Choose a Delivery Method

Work may be delivered online or by mail. The process outlined in this article is for is for online delivery.

Click Upload Online to upload digital copies of your work.

The work must be either unpublished work, work published only electronically,
Published work for which the deposit requirement is identifying material, or published work for which there are special agreements requiring a hard-copy deposit to be sent separately to the Library of Congress.

Verify that it is a correct category for upload, an acceptable file type, and an acceptable file size.

Click Browse to select the file(s) on your computer for uploading.

Click Submit Files To Copyright Office.

Then click Close if when you are notified that the upload was successful to end your session.

Caveats

Safari and Google Chrome are not supported.
To review and print documents you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.
The open new tab option must be selected in the browser preferences to view page links on the eCO site during the registration process.
The eCO system is offline every Saturday from 10pm until 6am Sunday.

Advantages

A published work may be registered as unpublished up to 90 days after the original date of publication.
Multiple works may be registered as a collection for a single application fee.
An application in progress may be saved at any time.
Every application is given an individual case number.