28 Day Branding Illustration Challenge – FAQ

We’ve had lots of questions about our upcoming branding illustration challenge and we’re here to help you decide if it’s right for you!

Q: I’m fairly new to illustration – can I still join? 

Absolutely! We encourage emerging creatives, students and recent graduates to get involved – as well as designers and teachers who are pivoting into illustration. Whether you’re just getting started with your illustration career or you’ve been working as an illustrator for a while and need a boost – the most important thing to know about this 28-Day Challenge is that this is going to stretch you – and that by committing the time you’ll leave with TWO incredible branding projects for your portfolio.

Use this Challenge to complete your first (or next) branding illustration project a little bit faster and with more focus than doing it alone on your own!

Q: I work full time – is this something I can fit around my job?

Let’s be honest – our 28 Day Challenges are intense (we don’t call it a challenge for nothing!), but they are also one the most rewarding, affirming and creative experiences you can imagine.

If you’re on the fence about enrolling because you’re worried about juggling it with family or a full time job –  don’t worry. Our deadlines are tight but not impossible! Just go for it. Sure, it might mean a few late nights or working weekends, but that’s a small sacrifice for the incredible work you will be make throughout the challenge –  not to mention the fantastic opportunity on offer to get your work seen by leading creative directors at global agencies every step of the way.

Honestly, you are capable of so much more than you think – and whilst it will be challenging at times we can promise you it will be worth it – and once you’ve completed one you’ll be hooked!

Q: When does the creative challenge begin?

Our 28-Day Editorial Challenge kicks off on Monday 8th April at 7.00pm, and runs until Friday 10th May at 12.00pm.

Q: When are the live sessions running?

We’ll be updating this section in the coming weeks. Here are preliminary dates for your diary. All timings in BST (GMT+1).

Key Dates (Zoom + Live Streams)

A full schedule of all workshops and live Zoom sessions are listed inside our dedicated space for you to add to your calendar. All sessions are recorded and made available to watch on replay within 3 hours of each live event. Live streams will be broadcast shared inside our private space.

All timings listed in British Summer Time (GMT +)

All zoom sessions will last between 1-1.5 hours.

  • 28-Day Branding Illustration Challenge – Kick Off Event (Zoom) – Monday 8th April @ 7pm
  • Creative Briefings (Zoom Webinar) @ 10.30am – Every Tuesday (09/04+ 16/04)
  • Daily Check-in Every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday – Various Times, Live Stream
  • Hit the Deadline! (Zoom) @ 5pm – Every Monday (15/04+ 22/04 + 29/04)

Masterclass Sessions (Zoom Webinars)

  • Masterclass w/ Multi & interdimensional Artist Murugiah – 10/04 @ 6pm – 7.30pm
  • Masterclass w/ Illlustrator Franz Lang – 18/04 @ 10.30am – 12pm
  • Masterclass w/ Illustrator and Muralist Katie Lukes – 24/04 @ 6.00pm – 7.30pm

In our Masterclasses, each guest speaker will take a deep dive into their creative process, inspirations and tricks of the trade, as we explore brand campaigns across print, murals, site-specific installation and spot illustration for clients including Adobe, Uber, Chicago Bulls and Greenman Festival.

Expect to gain access to exclusive content as they each lift the curtain on their tricks of the trade, techniques and creative processes!

Creative Briefings w/ Brand Experience Agencies (Zoom Webinar)

  • Creative Briefing + Industry Talk with Vault49 – 09/04 @ 10.30am BST
  • Creative Briefing +  Industry Talk with Flow Creative- 16/04 @ 10.30am BST

Sessions will be divided into an Industry Talk, Briefing + Ask Me Anything Q&A!

Live Feedback Sessions w/ Design Agencies  (Zoom)

  • Moodboards & Ideation – with Jonny Bateman, Tom MacPherson and Beth Wheately at Vault49 – 11/04 @ 6pm BST
  • Sketch Review – with Jonny Bateman, Tom MacPherson and Beth Wheately at Vault49 – 17/04 @ 6pm BST
  • Moodboards & Ideation – with Karl Doran, Winston Tsnag and James Lawson at Flow Creative – 18/04 @ 6pm BST
  • Sketch Review (Morning Session) – with Karl Doran, Winston Tsnag and James Lawson at Flow Creative – 24/04 @ 6pm BST
  • Sketch Review (Evening Session) – with Karl Doran, Winston Tsnag and James Lawson at Flow Creative – 25/04 @ 6pm BST

Our creative directors will host interactive group workshop sessions to give you feedback, guidance and direction at the sketch stage. Further feedback will be provided at colour rough stage at specific points during the challenge! We also have one bonus brief TBA.

Final Showcase (Zoom) Pick ONE to attend + Award Ceremony

  • Morning Showcase – 09/05 @ 8am – 9.30am BST
  • Afternoon Showcase – 09/05 @ 6pm – 7.30pm BST

Award Ceremony – 10/05 @ 12.00pm (Live Stream)

*Please note – our zoom webinars are watch & listen only; you will not have your video cameras on. All participants will be invited to ask questions and interact with one another in the chat, however this is optional.

Q: What do I need to prepare before the course begins?

No prep required! Just bring yourself and maybe a pen and notebook to take notes during the sessions. Our workshops and courses are super informal – and the 28 Day Challenge will be exactly like that. We always have so much fun learning together – and I can’t wait to meet you all!

Q: What skills do I need to take part?

A good working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator and / or Procreate) is recommended. Our creative briefs require to use of mockup templates to showcase your final artwork, we will be providing guides on how to do this. We will also be exploring Procreate Dreams.

Q: I prefer working with drawing materials, poscas etc – can I still get involved?

Our creative briefs will be encouraging our artists to get their hands messy with mark-making, textures, painting and printing methods if you wish to – however you will still need to have basic skills in Adobe Procreate to create your final artwork and apply your artwork to our mock-ups. We will be supporting less experience artists with the technical side of things and there will be guides available to take you through this step by step.

Q: I’m a concept artist – is this challenge for me?

This creative challenge is not designed for concept artists, gaming designers or cartoonists. Our courses and challenges are aimed at creatives who want to pursue a career as commercial freelance illustrators working for clients across editorial, publishing, advertising and branding.

Q: How much time do I need to set aside?

The live sessions are 60 minutes long throughout April & May. We’re running a mix of zooms, live talks and daily check-ins. I’d recommend allowing between 4-6 hours for each creative brief which will be split into stages across the challenge. Then maybe an extra hour to implement feedback and apply the learning we’re covering in our weekly workshops. Each zoom session will last for apx 1 hour – 1.5 hours max.

Each brief will require a turnaround time of 10 days with key stages and deadlines in place to keep you on track. Project deliverables will include thumbnails; colour drafts and final artwork delivery for submission to our Creative Directors who will judge the entries for the Awards.

Workshop sessions are designed to support you with live feedback in a group setting and provide you with tools, advice and critique along the way to help you navigate the challenge and produce your best work!

Q: Which Creative Directors are we going to be working with?

We’re fortunate to be joined by two global agencies – Vault49 and Flow Creative. Find out more about our agencies here. We’ll be revealing more about the briefs you will be working on in the run up to the challenge!

Q: How will the winners be selected?

Shortlisted artists will be selected based on their commitment to the challenge and the quality of work they produce for each brief. Artwork submissions will be judged by our Creative Directors, guest Masterclass illustrators and the Inkygoodness team. We have an incredible 20 prizes up for grabs – including ONE paid commission, a six month mentoring opportunity; spots on our upcoming Make Your Mark Bootcamp in June, lifetime membership awards and a bonus opportunity to get your work featured in our digital showcase in July!

Q: What if I can’t make the live sessions? Will they be recorded?

Yes! Everything is automatically recorded every week – so no matter if you can attend every session, just a few – or prefer to watch them later – we’ve got you covered! Videos will stay live even after the challenge ends – so you can access the recordings forever.

If you want to join the 28 Day Branding Challenge and know in advance that you can’t attend every single live session, rest assured that you will have an opportunity to catch up.

Please do still join the 28 Day Branding Challenge even if the timings of the sessions don’t suit your schedule – everyone enrolled will also get access to our private group, hosted inside Inkygoodness Collective where you can join our community and access support and resources. I can guarantee you will get so much out of the experience!

Q: I’ve only just found out about the challenge! Can I enrol late?

Yes absolutely! With generous deadlines and lead times on our briefs and lifetime access to the content there is plenty of time to catch up.

Q: How much does it cost?

Prizes are just one way we’re setting up this Challenge to bring you focus, motivation, and some great support. The other is making it a paid Challenge.

One observation we’ve made over the last six months is that people pay more attention to what they pay for.

And we want you to be set up to take this Challenge seriously. So, we’re charging a one-time fee of £249. You can pay in full or split the cost when you enrol.

Q: When do doors close for enrolment?

Enrolment is open now until midnight Thursday 4th April.

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Do you have more questions not answered here?

Email Lisa directly so that we can help you decide if this challenge is right for you! If you’re excited to jump on board sign up quickly before our doors close.

Look forward to welcoming you on board!

Enrol in our 28 Day Creative Challenge now