Author Topic: critique and suggestions please!(vector portfolio) (Read 6469 times)

elsystudio · « **on:** February 12, 2012, 19:49 »

Hi everyone, i have just started being a SS contributor months ago, considered new i assumed. Right now i am just concentrating on SS, and slowly signing up for other microstock websites. My monthly income from microstock so far is just USD100 or less no matter how hard i try..I honestly need critiques from you guys, want to know what's the weakness and how can i boost my sales up, what sells best and whether or not i need a new direction.

Besides that, i am also wondering what are the right steps being a newbie..Do you guys concentrate on 1 particular site first, or do u guys upload to as many sites as possible when you have completed an artwork?

Please have a look at my portfolio, i would like to know your honest comments, it will be very much appreciated..
http://www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?gallery_id=559120

Noodles · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2012, 21:49 »

Your illustration skills look good so I'd say you need to question your subject matter. Unfortunately we can't always create what we like, we have to create what will sell. Just check out the most popular illustrations on SS and follow their example. You should do well

cthoman · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2012, 01:27 »

Quote from: Noodles on February 12, 2012, 21:49

Your illustration skills look good so I'd say you need to question your subject matter. Unfortunately we can't always create what we like, we have to create what will sell. Just check out the most popular illustrations on SS and follow their example. You should do well

I'm sorry, but I think this is horrible advice. Why copy or follow what is already out there? Unless you think you can do it better, then you're just wasting your time imitating what is popular.

I think you are already on the right track. You have a unique style. Just work on perfecting it and finding niches within it. It's a slow process and not an immediate solution, but it's the only way to create a unique brand for yourself.

Microbius · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2012, 01:42 »

Listen to cthoman.
Look at the themes that have been selling most with and keep plugin away. You have a good style and strong skills so don't be discouraged.
To see more income you will need to get onto more sites. It doesn't sound like your RPI would be too bad if you were on all the sites. SS brings in about a quarter of my stock income.
Start with those on the top of the list to the right of this website!

Noodles · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2012, 02:16 »

Quote from: cthoman on February 13, 2012, 01:27

Quote from: Noodles on February 12, 2012, 21:49
Your illustration skills look good so I'd say you need to question your subject matter. Unfortunately we can't always create what we like, we have to create what will sell. Just check out the most popular illustrations on SS and follow their example. You should do well

I'm sorry, but I think this is horrible advice. Why copy or follow what is already out there? Unless you think you can do it better, then you're just wasting your time imitating what is popular.

I think you are already on the right track. You have a unique style. Just work on perfecting it and finding niches within it. It's a slow process and not an immediate solution, but it's the only way to create a unique brand for yourself.

I didn't say copy or imitate, I said, follow their example and look at your subject matter.

cthoman · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2012, 11:03 »

Quote from: Noodles on February 13, 2012, 02:16

I didn't say copy or imitate, I said, follow their example and look at your subject matter.

Sorry, I didn't mean to come off as attacking you, so I apologize. I know you didn't mean to copy anybody, but when I look at what is popular, I think that the style and idea go hand in hand to make those files best sellers. It's hard to translate their popularity into your own style if your style is vastly different. Concepts are important, but most concepts are so simple in stock that style is probably more important.

That said, I'd say to the OP to start being your own worst critic about your work. Look (outside or within micro) for artists, illustrators, cartoons, products or other sources that do what you do only better. What makes their work better? Is it cuter, funnier, more dynamic poses or gestures, more scenic, simpler shapes, complex line work, more lifelike or colorful, etc? Then, go off and work on the elements that you think will make your work better.

Noodles · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2012, 19:50 »

Quote from: cthoman on February 13, 2012, 11:03

Quote from: Noodles on February 13, 2012, 02:16
I didn't say copy or imitate, I said, follow their example and look at your subject matter.

Sorry, I didn't mean to come off as attacking you, so I apologize. I know you didn't mean to copy anybody, but when I look at what is popular, I think that the style and idea go hand in hand to make those files best sellers. It's hard to translate their popularity into your own style if your style is vastly different. Concepts are important, but most concepts are so simple in stock that style is probably more important.

That said, I'd say to the OP to start being your own worst critic about your work. Look (outside or within micro) for artists, illustrators, cartoons, products or other sources that do what you do only better. What makes their work better? Is it cuter, funnier, more dynamic poses or gestures, more scenic, simpler shapes, complex line work, more lifelike or colorful, etc? Then, go off and work on the elements that you think will make your work better.

No worries. I think we are roughly on the same wave length

Coincidently, I haven't been having much luck with my latest uploads to IS. In fact the last 6 have been rejected! Four of these were illustrations related to some corporate freelance work I had produced and were very modern, fairly unique and a bit "out there". It sure is a lot of time and work down the plug hole but sometimes you just have to experiment.

For now I will just go back to creating what I think will be accepted, though its getting a lot harder these days on IS. I certainly have a growing collection of unwanted illustrations gathering dust! The OP might be interested that I had 99% acceptance on SS (when I was non-exclusive to IS) but only 55% on IS. Photos are completely different on IS, I rarely get any rejected.

helix7 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2012, 23:02 »

Quote from: Noodles on February 12, 2012, 21:49

Your illustration skills look good so I'd say you need to question your subject matter. Unfortunately we can't always create what we like, we have to create what will sell. Just check out the most popular illustrations on SS and follow their example. You should do well

This is exactly why SS needs to do away with the Top 50. And I'm not saying that you're encouraging copying, just that these "top" lists just encourage people to try to do things in a certain style or look just because someone else had some success with that style. What will sell best for someone is good work done in their own style, regardless of subject matter.

Noodles · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2012, 00:20 »

Quote from: helix7 on February 13, 2012, 23:02

Quote from: Noodles on February 12, 2012, 21:49
Your illustration skills look good so I'd say you need to question your subject matter. Unfortunately we can't always create what we like, we have to create what will sell. Just check out the most popular illustrations on SS and follow their example. You should do well

This is exactly why SS needs to do away with the Top 50. And I'm not saying that you're encouraging copying, just that these "top" lists just encourage people to try to do things in a certain style or look just because someone else had some success with that style. What will sell best for someone is good work done in their own style, regardless of subject matter.

I understand what you are saying, but the OP is saying their sales are weak and wants to know how to boost them. IMHO, subject matter is very important. I'm not suggesting the OP should change style, but adapt it to a more commercial target. Business for example. I haven't looked at the top 50 but I bet business themes are in there.

ThomasAmby · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2012, 01:28 »

Even if the top 50 was removed, you can always click the vector category or do a search for "vector", then sort by downloads or popularity - on any site.

mtkang · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2012, 02:41 »

well, actually everyone start by 'copying', just to make sure to add and perfect it with own touch..

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Author Topic: critique and suggestions please!(vector portfolio) (Read 6469 times)

elsystudio

Noodles

cthoman

Microbius

Noodles

cthoman

Noodles

helix7

Noodles

ThomasAmby

mtkang

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