No Guts No Glory


http://www.ngngdesign.com/

I would like to continue working with No Guts No Glory, they are an ever growing presence in the South West Illustration movement, and although i don't intend this particular project to sit comfortably alongside their other collaborators, im sure it will do well in this 'handmade' scene.

True to its name, No Guts No Glory was founded amidst a global recession and with a mere 300 pounds to start up with, the project was built on a strong D.I.Y ethic, a lot of perseverance, and the most invaluable help from friends. A testament that in order to succeed, sometimes you have to take a risk!

With the sole intentions of helping aspiring artists to gain exposure in the industry and providing a physical outlet for their work, people were quick to show their support for the project. From those early days, and everything that has happened since then in fact, we have come to place our values and appreciation in people as opposed to money. 

Striving to find our own way to do things, NGNG is all about a creating a friendly and honest way of working, by trading responsibly and building open and sustainable relationships with our artists and customers alike. Our shop in Exeter, Devon, is put together out of completely recycled materials. The NGNG Shop is full of all the things that we wanted to see in Exeter - as well as our own range of organic Limited Edition T-Shirts, we stock zines, prints, greetings cards and handmade goods by artists from all over the UK. We also have an ever growing range of specialist independently published Books, Graphic Novels and Magazines!


Contact:

Nathan Blaker & Hayley Marchant


No Guts No Glory



McCoys Arcade


Fore Street


Exeter


EX4 3AN




info@ngngdesign.com

Having worked with No Guts No Glory before, I know that they take 35% of your sale price as commission, and base your product(s) on a sale or return basis which usually last around a year, so that if it’s not sold within this time scale they’ll happily return your item(s) to you.


I took the time to email NGNG:

On 27 Nov 2012, at 12:21, Nathan Jeffries wrote:

Nathan and Hayley,

Good morning. I trust that you are both well. It looks like you thoroughly enjoyed Berlin!

I'm emailing because I am looking into collaborators and clients and how people would go about working with me or seeing my portfolio as an illustrator and no longer a student. For example i am researching how you guys would go about telling me how you think a certain piece of my work would suit your shop and from then how i'd submit it to you, or arrange an appointment or pitch a new concept idea. I'd also like to know about the money side of things too if thats no trouble.

I hope you're day is swell. 

Nathan Jeffries.

The reply to this:

Hey Nath,

Hope you're well! 

Sorry for the late reply dude, we've been pretty flat out! 

Berlin was incredible - you HAVE to go if you ever get a chance, such a beautiful and creative City.

You're definitely doing the right thing by sending emails out and gathering research.

With regards to how people see your portfolio, the first thing you need to do is get one set up.  I'd really strongle advise that you set up a clean website to show your best work, and as you're wanting to shake off the 'being a student', think about what work you want to include and what you want to discard.

You can make some good portfolios on cargo collective, or using wordpress etc - I'd also advise buying your own domain name (nathanjeffriesillustration.com - or similar). Keeping a blog also helps, as a way to regularly post about work you like and things you're working on.  Sometimes, it'll do you a world of good to write about an artists you like (say Philip Harris has made a new zine for example) and if you link them and let them know, chances are they're re-promote that to their followers etc.

Once this is set up, you yourself will be able to see what direction you think you'd like to head in as you'd have selected the work that you deem as your best work.

Once you have a web portfolio, you can contact clients and talk confidently about the work that you are producing, because you can back it up with actual images to show them.  Then, the person you are emailing can get back to you with feedback on how to adapt/submit your work etc.

If you'd like to arrange an appointment with some one, just email them explaining a little about your self, your work, previous clients etc (in a  nice friendly, but well constructed way) and explain, even in a couple sentences, about what it is that you'd like to talk to them about.  That way they have enough information to get back to you with an answer.  

With regards to the money side of things, every shop you stock with will differ in their approach.  generally 35-45% seems to be a going commission rate, depending on whether the product is brought on wholesale or sale and return.

With regards to commissioned work, this also totally depends from artist to artists.  People like Philip Harris charge hourly (at £10 per hour - select a price that you think fits you) and they'll think about how long a job would take before quoting a customer.  Once the quote is given, that's the price, unless the customer want's anything else done.  If it takes longer, thats your fault for not weighing it up right, but it it takes less time...result!

If you're starting out, work cheaper for a while, so that you're more likely to get work and built a client list, but also so that you can find your feet and get used to how long jobs will take etc. Phil, for example, has become very efficient, so he can judge how long a job will take.  It might take a new illustrator longer to come up with ideas, or produce a piece that they're happy with.

With Payment, it's up to you whether you ask for payment up front, or upon completion, it'll probably vary from client to client, and had obvious pros and cons for each party.

It's up to you whether you include research and conceptual time into your fee.

I hope this helps dude?  Sorry for the late reply, wanted to give a proper reply!

Cheers,

Nath