Author Topic: IS Illustrator Test (Read 11956 times)

ChasingMoments · « **on:** June 30, 2008, 16:42 »

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

Whiz · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2008, 17:03 »

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_search.php?action=file&lightboxID=4304434

It took me four attempts to pass the test so don't feel too bad. Then again, these images have yet to see a sale at iStockphoto.

Lizard · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2008, 17:13 »

Quote from: ChasingMoments on June 30, 2008, 16:42

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 ......

ChasingMoments · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2008, 17:16 »

Quote from: Lizard on June 30, 2008, 17:13

Quote from: ChasingMoments on June 30, 2008, 16:42
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 ......

ugh! thanks for the tips - didn't know about the 3-months rule!... ouch! I didn't have any bgs, designs, buttons, textures. had everything echecked for open paths, no gradients and strokes. ... am going to the IS forums...!

RGebbiePhoto · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2008, 17:17 »

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!!

nicemonkey · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2008, 17:21 »

I nearly pulled all my hair out getting into istock, it took me four attempts slowly chipping away getting one images passed every other attempt!

Try to be original and keep your chin up, you will get there in the end

vonkara · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2008, 17:29 »

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

ChasingMoments · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2008, 17:34 »

Quote from: Vonkara on June 30, 2008, 17:29

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

Thanks! Those planets were all done in photoshop, unfortunately IS is not too fond of rasters. I had one sneaked into IS due to an exchange with an inspector.

Well, if anybody is curious to see what the IS community says, here's a link to the IS forum I just posted along with small versions of my vectors : http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=72418&page=1

let me know if you are curious to see bigger versions, I also have all these files accepted on SS

steppysteph · « **Reply #8 on:** June 30, 2008, 23:49 »

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.

Susan S. · « **Reply #9 on:** July 01, 2008, 00:19 »

I passed (the first try) in December, so a bit over six months ago now
using versions of the three images in this lightbox:
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_search.php?action=file&lightboxID=4388580
That's one trace, one vectorisation of an original watercolour and ink drawing, and one simple wine glass and bottle drawing - all were rejected for the collection until I did sme tidying up. In the case of the wine glasses I ended up redrawing them totally from scratch, so that the glasses and bottle were separable objects - so the one I passed the entrance exam with looked a bit different.

NYTumbleweeds · « **Reply #10 on:** July 01, 2008, 10:22 »

Quote from: ChasingMoments on June 30, 2008, 17:34

Quote from: Vonkara on June 30, 2008, 17:29
You make great illustrations ChassingMoment. I really like your planets and space environments. Good luck!

Thanks! Those planets were all done in photoshop, unfortunately IS is not too fond of rasters. I had one sneaked into IS due to an exchange with an inspector.

Well, if anybody is curious to see what the IS community says, here's a link to the IS forum I just posted along with small versions of my vectors : http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=72418&page=1

let me know if you are curious to see bigger versions, I also have all these files accepted on SS

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

Susan S. · « **Reply #11 on:** July 01, 2008, 17:10 »

It seems that istock don't take many PS illustrations. They will occasionally take scans of drawings/paintings etc, and well done compositing of photos (with random rejections so I don't bother) but illustrations done in photoshop and often in Painter and other raster based programs just are not acceptable to them. They will take very similar stuff done in 3D programs though for some reason.

It's one of the "they make the rules, if you want to submit to them, learn them" things that submitting to istock without raising your bloodpressure too far involves. If you start agonising too much about how unfair and arbitrary all the different hoops that the different sites make you jump through then you could easily go mad.

NYTumbleweeds · « **Reply #12 on:** July 02, 2008, 01:18 »

Quote from: Susan S. on July 01, 2008, 17:10

It seems that istock don't take many PS illustrations. They will occasionally take scans of drawings/paintings etc, and well done compositing of photos (with random rejections so I don't bother) but illustrations done in photoshop and often in Painter and other raster based programs just are not acceptable to them. They will take very similar stuff done in 3D programs though for some reason.

It's one of the "they make the rules, if you want to submit to them, learn them" things that submitting to istock without raising your bloodpressure too far involves. If you start agonising too much about how unfair and arbitrary all the different hoops that the different sites make you jump through then you could easily go mad.

Thank you... very true

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

Caz · « **Reply #13 on:** July 02, 2008, 05:07 »

Quote from: RGebbiePhoto on June 30, 2008, 17:17

... 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!!

A little off topic, but just to clear up your confusion... the inspectors (reviewers) aren't rating your images (at least, not on the many I just checked on your portfolio). The ratings you have are from fellow contributors, not image inspectors. A rating from the inspector who reviews your image will show as "Initial Rating" and they're fairly rare. Nothing wrong with ratings from contributors of course, but I just wanted to clear up why you thought there was some inconsistency in inspectors rejecting some of your images and rating them (they're not)

Carla · « **Reply #14 on:** July 02, 2008, 05:12 »

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!

Microbius · « **Reply #15 on:** July 02, 2008, 07:28 »

I broadly agree with what the guys over at IStock had to say.
You need to practice and polish your style before you get accepted.
Anatomy could use a bit of work too.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

nebojsak · « **Reply #16 on:** October 15, 2008, 05:43 »

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

bittersweet · « **Reply #17 on:** October 15, 2008, 07:49 »

Quote from: nebojsak on October 15, 2008, 05:43

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

Just the one. They have the others already.

domencolja · « **Reply #18 on:** October 15, 2008, 07:50 »

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;)

nebojsak · « **Reply #19 on:** October 15, 2008, 09:52 »

Thank you guys... There should be no failure this time

RGebbiePhoto · « **Reply #20 on:** October 15, 2008, 14:08 »

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

bittersweet · « **Reply #21 on:** October 15, 2008, 14:55 »

Quote from: RGebbiePhoto on October 15, 2008, 14:08

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

I would say yes, it is still worth it. Istock pays a signficant amount for vectors (when compared to the other sites), and even with fewer sales, you'd still find it profitable. I saw my sales take a sudden nosedive that lasted a little more than a week. Things, at least in my own portfolio, seem to have returned to normal and are on the upward trend I'm accustomed to seeing mid-October through December.

I know you've already made several attempts, but I can only see that becoming more and more difficult as time goes on. I guess you have to decide for yourself whether your ego can take any more.

graficallyminded · « **Reply #22 on:** October 15, 2008, 17:02 »

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.

madelaide · « **Reply #23 on:** October 15, 2008, 17:54 »

I only applied once, when I started with AI - I had been doing illustrations in Canvas prior to that, but their EPS conversion was useless. Now that I have a new computer, and I've almost installed everything I need, restarting to make some illustrations and apply again to IS is one of my priorities. But finally sending images to Alamy is on top on my priorities list.

Regards,
Adelaide

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Author Topic: IS Illustrator Test (Read 11956 times)

ChasingMoments

Whiz

Lizard

ChasingMoments

RGebbiePhoto

nicemonkey

vonkara

ChasingMoments

steppysteph

Susan S.

NYTumbleweeds

Susan S.

NYTumbleweeds

Caz

Carla

Microbius

nebojsak

bittersweet

domencolja

nebojsak

RGebbiePhoto

bittersweet

graficallyminded

madelaide

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