Dear Artist!
During the last years, we have received several offers to help
in Eurofurence's "art department". While some of these offers
led to nice contributions, we must admit that others were not
acted upon properly and timely from our side, which led to unnecessary
disappointment on the artist's side.
On the other side, there is a big need for art on every Eurofurence,
and there is hardly an EF department that would not benefit from
artist volunteers. In fact, there are too many empty spaces which
could show off artwork instead, and too many last minute requests
for imagery that need to be filled with whatever is at hand, since
it is difficult to find artists at all at a late date.
In an effort to merge both sides and to organize communication
between artist volunteers and EF event organizers, we present to you
the Contributing Artists platform on the Eurofurence forum.
This central hub will allow us to direct requests and offers, to
ensure communication between artists as well as between artists and
organizers, and to make sure that no offer is accidentally ignored.
After all, EF is about you.
If you want to contribute artwork, just drop us a note.
We will then give your account the necessary permission to read and
write in the Contributing Artists section. (Obviously, we do not want
to give away all artsy secrets, so it's not public, but interested
artists may join any time. Spread the word.)
Now, how does it work?
EuroFurence basically needs three types of artwork and designwork.
First, the official themed art for a convention, like con book, web site,
or badges (not counting the t-shirt contest since that's a separate
event already). This is highly visible artwork that will need some
special effort and organization.
Second, un-themed art for recurring use, like the art show web site,
or door signs and pointers. (Of course, we could use themed art for
these areas as well, but in this case it would only be usable for one
year.)
And third, "last minute" art for spontaneous and common use, to pep up
otherwise bland and boring forms, like key vouchers, flyers, or announcement
posts.
Obviously, these needs require different degrees of attention.
If you want to contribute to the "last minute art stack", just feel free
to draw something, or to donate artwork from your past work. If some
organizer needs to fill an empty space, he/she will pull something from
that stack. We cannot guarantee that this art is used at all, when it is
used (this year, or perhaps next year), or for what it is used - it's
for "last minute" needs after all! Generic images have a higher chance
of being selected.
If you want to draw something for the more visible categories, this should
be treated as some kind of "donated commission". Do not simply start
drawing - we would end up with three sponsor's prints, most likely. We
do not want effort to go to waste! Instead, post your offer on the forum
first. We will keep a list, select an artist if there are several volunteers
for a single task, and establish the contact between you and the organizer
in question. You can then exchange ideas and art directly. We do encourage
a close working relationship between you and the organizer so that all
requirements are met, like printability, size, or design issues.
On the other paw, organizers may also post their requirements and ideas on
the forum, so feel free to start a dialog, throw ideas, designs, and sketches
around, or chat with fellow artists about EF artwork.
Any effort is appreciated - first and foremost, this is not a contest.
However, please take into consideration that the professional needs of
EuroFurence as an organized event must take precedence over artistic
freedom. We need to set deadlines for highly visible art. And of course
the quality of representative artwork is an issue. Please read the welcome
post first to know the full set of rules.
But don't let that discourage you - there are many art- and design-oriented
tasks open, and if you're a team player, you're always welcome to offer
your ideas.
See you at the subforum;
-- Cairyn & Blue_Panther --
(Art Show Directors)
Author
Topic: An invitation to artists - Eurofurence Contributing Artists Subforum! (Read 20714 times)