BILL BITES #23:
Professionally-speaking: Designers and Illustrators who Blog

One thing I've always liked about the Guild was how it created community. But lately, it's missing the boat in facilitating the way designers and illustrators are communicating and supporting each other. Webblogs are doing that. They are ubiquitous. Most of us in the graphic arts can be found in front of our computer monitors…our portal to this new virtual village.

I want to mention two different weblogs that do a good job creating community. The thing to realize is that these blogs are a volunteer effort. They are brought to you by the generosity of their creators and contributors. Bloggers have there own reasons for doing it. They might be doing it to share information or just vent. They might be doing it as a marketing tool. They might do it just to write and be read. Whatever the reason, it’s working well. Here are two good ones:

Drawger.com

Back in 1993, I started reading the posts of Bay-area based illustrators Adam McCauley, Mark Matcho, Joe VanDerBos, and Marcos Sorenson on the AOL chat room. McCauley says, "I thought is was goofy and fun...communicating with illustrators that way. I liked hearing their perspectives." After a few years AOL lost its appeal for them and me, so McCauley started posting on the iSpot arttalk. "After I moved to Maui, the iSpot helped me stay aware. I found it a bit ruckus, though", he says. I'd have to agree. There was a little too much trash talk. As the premier illustration Internet site, iSpot brought together people but polarized others, particularly around the issue of stock art. I enjoyed McCauley's web posts but after a while, he disappeared from there as well. Then this year, Drawger.com appeared. Created by Illustrator Robert Zimmerman, Drawger showcases an established group of outstanding editorial illustrators. Contributors who are invited in can set up their own unique page with a customized look and gallery. They are expected to contribute regularly. These artists post what inspires them, what their best and worst jobs are and write about their process. Then a dialogue begins. The posts are articulate and carefully considered. McCauley, a weblog veteran by now suggests the following to those who want to post a blog, "Be aware of blog protocol. We're in a crazy time, so it's important that you commit to having a positive outlook. Dedicate yourself. Be professional, be smart and don't just react." He adds that, "readers can't detect irony. It may be misinterpreted. Be a good writer. Use good grammar. Check your spelling. Be relevant and be civil." He also cautions to "be aware of collusion. You can be held legally responsible for the things you say." His comments make me think that not all weblogs are alike or as conscientious.

CreativeLatitude.com

Not unlike the Guild, this site has a mandate to educate and unite those in the graphic and media arts. It's a worldwide community that brings together various creative disciplines for collective promotion, education and ethical business practice. There is news, articles and tutorials. Catherine Morley is the Project Manager of Creative Latitude, as well as one of the founding members. Morley says Creative Latitude seeks "to find ways to educate people about the creative process and the business value we, and our particular discipline, offer. Creativity, whether visual or the written word, affects people. It influences their thinking. Savvy enterprises understand this and use it. Creative Latitude is a place for sharp business people to find collaborators for their projects and learn about various trade practices, ethics and processes." Rather than say more, I'd suggest you visit her page where she interviews designers about their blog entries. One designer told her he sees blogs as the new networking. He calls it "blogworking".

As these weblogs mature, we'll see new technologies for delivery of information like podcasting and video as well as more niche groups forming and we'll all be a little closer as a result. There are other art and design web boards out there. It depends what you're looking for. About.com was in at the beginning of this technology. There's an egalitarian quality to it. This site devoted to graphic design is informative but contains many banner ads. Google now owns Blogger.com, but that hasn't inhibited anyone from creating his or her own personal blog. Every month this site publishes a Q&A to a different designer or illustrator. Not too many comments and exchanges, though. A personal favorite of mine is this site created by Leif Peng of Hamilton, Ontario. It contains an enormous archive of illustration from the 40's and 50's and usually gets lots of comments.

CreativeLatitude.com is informed and international with an undercurrent of a marketing strategy. Drawger.com feels like an exclusive club but it’s comfortable and conversational. The quality of the work posted is high. There's a generosity of spirit in the writing. I’m now posting some comments that I realize helps me communicate more affirmatively in a time when it's easy to be negative.

There's a lot more out there. They're only as successful as those willing to support it and support with quality postings. Find one that fits you and join in the conversation.

Comments, etc. to Bill@Billustration.com

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