MicrostockGroup

The format that Istock requires for all Vectors to be supplied in is deliberately basic (Illustrator 8 eps compatible) to make sure that buyers can open and use the files so you should be able to use something other than Illustrator to create them with.

If you are serious though you need to learn Illustrator.

  Nonsense, how do you know what stock clients may or may not want?

I have created work to imitate pre-schooler's drawings that have sold very well.

When my children where young they created some artwork and I posted them on Zazzle for them.  4 years latter they still sell on t-shirts and stamps.

Just because a style dose not meet your standards dose not make useless. Vlad 

I've been producing artwork as a paid freelancer for 34 years and never been in an "art school".

Late to this thread. But I don't understand where this response comes from. In the UK there are thousands of designers who went through Art School for four years and have never found employment (I happen to sit about fifty feet away from one and all he does is chase invoice payment) - so this does not entirely equate.  Also, some of the top designers in the UK have no formal "art" education yet somehow manage to make a serious wedge of money. If someone has ambition and focus, I say go for it.


Yes there is a lot of crap - yet crap sells surprisingly well....and art school graduates are buying it.

Yes, there are a few people who are untrained and manage to sell work, even enough to make a living. It's rare though.Going to art school not only improves your drawing skills but teaches you how to understand design and visual communication. Learning how to use Illustrator does not make you an illustrator. The proof is there to see on any 'latest vector uploads' section of any stock site. There is huge amounts of crap on istock and other sites, most of it produced by the untrained. The top sellers , illustration-wise, on istock, are all art school graduates. I would remove all the crap and the work from photographers who think they'll have a go at vectors because they pay better, the site would be a vast improvement.

That's a false statement, trust me

I haven't gone to a traditional art school but I am doing quite well on daily earnings. Of course not too high yet on all time earnings and downloads, as I started a year and a half ago. Btw, my career outside stock was going very well too.

All this aside, I believe in education a lot! I have to add that I got a training in graphic design and animation, but definitely never studied traditional arts and illustration.

I will kind of agree with you as I am pretty good at self learning. I read many books on art and illustration. Yes I haven't been to a traditional art school but what they teach at an art school is accessible outside the art school as well If you want to find it.

It depends on the person. That's why you can not generalize. I am sure I know more on illustration then many art school graduates as I did read lots of text they teach there. Some people just can't get it even if they are going to an art school. And some people will find the books and resources no matter if they go to an art school or not.

I think you're being a bit harsh here. Many traditional artists have a hard time learning to create art with digital media. Artists tend to be a bit inimical towards technology. I've been looking at a lot of books on drawing myself lately and they nearly all use traditional media. The very few that mention computers mention Photoshop. I've yet to see a book on drawing that teaches how to draw with a vector program. The many books on how to use Illustrator don't teach drawing skills, only how to use the tools.

Well I know most of the top 20 vector artists (are you in that group, I think possibly not) and the vast majority are artschool trained.

Nowhere have I said it's a must. However, having been in the business quite possibly more years than you've been alive, I've met a lot of people and the majority, the vast majority, are art school graduates. It is possible to teach yourself but it's not just about learning how to use illustrator, it's also about looking and seeing and absorbing the collective knowledge of your tutors and lecturers and fellow students. It's about opening up to a whole wide world of artistic influences, not just illustration but fine art and studying whole areas connected to and influencing and influenced by art. I never said you can't be successful without art school, it's just a lot harder.