Make Your Mark – 10 Week Illustration Programme

Coming February 2022, our extended 10 week group programme for creatives to kick start your freelance illustration career is now open for applications!
Open to recent graduates, emerging artists and illustrators and those who are looking to change their career path, our courses attract a diverse group of like-minded creatives from all corners of the globe brought together to build their confidence, share their experience, develop their creative practice and transform their freelance careers supported by our thriving online community.
UPDATE 05/02/21: Enrolment for this programme has now closed. Apply for our October 2022 programme here.

Our extended programme runs like this:
– 10 week programme
– 1.5 hour live group zoom call per week (see what’s covered below)
– Live interaction each session
– Weekly challenges to get you moving!
– Small groups of no more than 15.
– Group makeup tailored to be the best possible fit for you and your creative practicet
– Industry Zoom Q&A’s with leading illustration commissioners
Plus inclusive access to our Inkygoodness Collective membership for the duration of the programme. Scroll down for more!
Apply Now »

What we will cover:
W1 – Personal Development – Building a successful career as an illustrator requires more than just talent. You need determination, drive and bags of energy! Getting into healthy habits to nurture your mental and physical health and wellbeing is essential. In our first session you’ll learn the practice of self discipline and how to adopt a daily routine to stay focused.
W2. Creative Development – Develop and build a body of work you can be proud of! We’ll be setting you industry standard creative briefs to challenge you and push you out of your comfort zone and give you tips and advice on how to harness the power of passion projects for your portfolio.
W3. Illustration Markets – Demystifying the world of commercial illustration. In this session we will provide an overview of the various markets for illustrators – from editorial work to education; advertising, publishing, branding and much more!
W4. Licensing – Diversifying your income as a freelance illustrator is essential to build a sustainable career. In this session we will discuss the licensing market and print on demand and the various opportunities available for illustrators to make extra income through image licensing.

W5. Curating Your Work – Tips and advice on how to present your work online! Discussion around portfolio platforms vs. your own website; common mistakes – do’s and don’ts – and how to curate a stand out PDF portfolio to reach out to your dream clients.
W6. Self Promotion – Essential skills for building your illustration brand, building credibility and raising your profile; and key tips around self promotion, networking and collaboration. You’ll get clarity on what works – and what doesn’t – and build your confidence in the process.
W7. Getting Hired – You’ve developed a killer portfolio – but you’re still not winning client work because you don’t understand pricing, networking or how to sell your work. This session will provide tips you can action immediately to attract clients and new opportunities.
W8. Freelance Business Tools *NEW* – Covering everything you need to know to set up your freelance business, including taxes, contracts, accounting and more.
Apply now »

W9. Agency Representation *NEW* – The role of the agent, discussing the pro’s and con’s of getting an agent + special guests TBA.
W10. PR & Marketing Toolkit *NEW* – Learn how to be your own publicist! Essential tips on planning your own marketing strategy with advice on copywriting, useful phrases and tone of voice for press releases and best practice for reaching out to magazines, blogs and press for features.
+ BONUS SESSION: *NEW* Pop-up events & exhibitions – How to organise and plan your first event or exhibition with digital resources to make it easy!
+ BONUS SESSION: Feedback – Valuable tailored feedback on the work produced during the programme and your online portfolio and a key opportunity to ask your questions in our final session. Practical tips and an overview of your next steps on your journey as an illustrator. *Option to book a 1:1 feedback session at a reduced fee.
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Class Schedule
Make Your Mark runs w/c 14th February – 21st April 2022, with morning and evening sessions available on a Wednesday & Thursday to suit differing schedules and timezones. All sessions will be recorded for artists who can’t attend live.
Apply Now »
*Payment plans available. Deadline for applications midnight Sunday 30th January.

Participant testimonials
“It was amazing meeting everyone, making connections and having some exchange with all the other fellow illustrators! The course overall was super motivating and inspiring and helped me with knowing where I want to go with my illustration career.”
Sandy – Illustrator
“Like many creatives, I am generally nervous to approach agents and companies for commissions, but Lisa has broken the process down to ensure that all aspects of self- promotion are covered. I know that by the end of the programme, I will have created a cohesive promotional package and a sense of confidence in what I have to offer.”
Nat – Freelance illustrator
“This course has exceeded my expectations and has pushed me to be more proactive with weekly homework tasks to keep me moving. I feel that in the past few weeks we’ve covered more than my university course ever did when it comes to the business and marketing side of illustration.”
Hannah – Graduate
“I loved the programme, and found the portfolio sessions most useful – following Lisa’s advice helped me get a commission!”
Ellie – Illustrator
Please remember these spaces are first come, first served and no more will be added.
We look forward to reading your application!
Lisa Hassell is a creative consultant, public speaker, design writer and founder of Inkygoodness, an organisation focused on championing emerging illustration talent. Founded in 2010 on a shoestring, Inkygoodness now has a global audience of 60k, made up of design students, creative graduates and young professionals. Previously she ran WE ARE GOODNESS, a creative consultancy and illustration agency representing a diverse roster of international artists.
As an artist agent she has worked with art buyers, advertising agencies and design studios to deliver illustration to clients like Google UX, Google Play, Facebook, The Guardian and New York Magazine. As a design writer her words have appeared in Creative Review, Digital Arts, IdN and Computer Arts magazine, covering topics on creative business, illustration and graphic design, and reporting on emerging trends and sharing industry insight. She has also contributed content to published books ‘Becoming a successful graphic designer’ (Bloomsbury, 2017) and Design{H}ers, (viction:ary, 2019).
Featured artists & image credits: Toby Triumph / Kelly Anna / Kim Sielbeck / Mark Conlan