MicrostockGroup

Ok, just failed my "second" attempt to pass the IS illustrator exam. All rejections - "not what we are currently looking for".  Could somebody who recently passed the IS illustrator test share their experience and, if it's not too much to ask, show the images that passed review.

Fyi, I did browse through what's been getting accepted by way of illustrations, and I've read their "what IS needs" section. I will upload a new set of three in a week, but I"m sorta hoping to know that I am working in the right direction...

Thanks

Just wanted to say , be careful , I wasn't careful enough ,  first two times I uploaded backgrounds which they apparently don't approve on initial test , than in the third attempt i got 2 accepted 1 rejected , then I had that one rejected again and I have to wait 3 months for next attempt.

God knows how much will I have to wait if I fail next time , so you better use your attempts smartly .


My advices ,  ask options of your possible submissions on their forum , don't submit background, design elements,buttons,  check your work for open  paths , don't use textures , use smooth paths , avoid gradients , avoid strokes,  be careful about proportions ......

We are on our fourth run... Make sure you check, I thought it was a week between tries, on the third, ten days.
I can give you the results: (and the image # from Dreamstime)

First submission: Hard Eyes (DT#5230428), Finger over Button (DT#5230421), Chocolate Strawberries (DT#5230404)  
Zero accepted, not what they are looking for

Second Submission: Peaches (DT#5230517), Rose Border (DT#5276828), Tags Beads and Stars (DT#5318492)
Zero accepted, not what they are looking for

Third Submission: Brown Owl (DT#5276804), Dolphin and Shell (DT#5328512), Sunglasses (DT#5230584)
Brown Owl and Sunglasses accepted, Dolphin *We're sorry but we feel that the details in your outlines could be sharper/cleaner*

Fourth Submission: Two Lizards (DT#5432074)
ARRRGGHHH!!! Rejected...
(We thought if we gave them another similar image with simple lines, that it would have been a shoe-in.. apparently not.. lol)
Now it's 30 days to resubmit...  /sigh...

Not really sure how to figure out what they want photo-wise, either.  Our acceptance rate is in the high 80s to 90s with everyone but iStock, we're hoovering at a very sad 34%...  Apparently they like the images they DO pick, the reviewers keep rating them 5 cameras as soon as they are approved, so I guess that's a good thing, but I haven't seen increased sales from it...

Ahh well, ONWARD!!

You make great illustrations ChassingMoment. I really like your planets and space environments. Good luck!

I passed the IS illustrator test the first time but I prepared the three illustrations in a month's time haha! because it was my first time to create vector illustrations so I had to start from scratch. Just got accepted in late May 2008.

I think the most important thing you have to remember is the technical requirements such as open paths and stuff.. You can actually create non "stock" stuff for your initial test. 2 out of 3 illustrations I submitted were rejected and they said it was not stock material! But they were enough to pass the test so I'm fine with that.

Here are the three illustrations I have submitted to IS for the test...
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-12739408-business-woman.html
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-12739405-doctor.html
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-12739390-christmas-scene.html

The first two were the ones rejected.

I was beginning to think iS had a different test I was missing for illustrations created in PS. I haven't been able to get 1 PS illustration thru there, & they are my huge sellers everywhere else! I am mostly told my illustrations are over ps'd. How did I accomplish that one? Over PS'd an illustration? Suggestions are always appreciated

Thank you... very true

--deep breaths---deep breaths & move on.

I remember I tried five times alltogether. First try there was one picture they didn´t like, two were o.k.,I submitted another one in exchange, equally not liked, etc., and after the fourth try I was mailed to submit three totally new pictures and that this would be my last possible try.
So it seems they can be very strict with submitters!

Just one question - I had my 4th attempt application on istock, and 2 of 3 images are approved. Now I have 30 days to resubmit, but I want to make it clear - do I have to submit just one more image, or that one new along with two already approved?

Thanks

Only one more... and if you fail again, you'll have to wait three months. Then six. That's what's happening to me right now;)

After the recent best match mess, the question now is...

Is it WORTH it to try to get accepted at iStock as a vector artist?

Our next shot comes up at the beginning of November, and I'm watching vector artists break their exclusivity to try to gain back their share of the market...

So, all you artists that are currently there, did you see your sales plummet?? Or do you still feel this is the right "deal" to get into?

Appreciate your comments!

Gebbie

They' rejected my application for vectors 4 times already.  Have to wait 24 days until I can reapply.  I really hope the 5 time's the charm...the vectors I submitted were my top selling ones from Shutterstock.