Back in 2021, I was at a standstill. I had spent the previous year learning everything I could about creating patterns and illustrations for the Surface Design market and felt like I was “ready” (we never really feel ready) for the next step. I knew at the time I needed to put a portfolio together and start reaching out to potential clients. But as a socially anxious introvert, the very prospect of reaching out to art directors filled me with overwhelming anxiety. This is my take on Sketch Design Repeat's course - Pitch Your Portfolio.
I had no idea how to reach out to art directors let alone build my portfolio and I had more questions than I could find answers to.
The last time I created a portfolio to showcase my artwork was when I was in college back in 2008 and it was for fine arts, not surface design. I never actually shared it with anyone outside of school either, so I naturally had so many questions and very few answers.
Some of those questions included:
What’s the best way to present your work to art directors?
How do I find company contacts?
Who is the best person to reach out to?
What should my portfolio look like?
What do I say in my outreach email?
What happens after I’ve reached out?
What can I expect?
And the list goes on…
As you can tell I was completely clueless, but luckily for me Pitch Your Portfolio came to my attention. At the time it felt like this was IT! My saving grace, it will answer all my questions. In truth, I’m always very skeptical and hesitant to sign up for expensive courses, and Pitch Your Portfolio was no exception. So I debated for quite a while before finally deciding to take the leap at the very last minute. Ultimately, I decided to take a chance on Shannon and her course. It was my next step either way and if she could help me get there faster and more efficiently, then count me in! And boy I wasNOT disappointed.
The course completely changed my perspective on the entire process of pitching my artwork. I walked away prepared, confident, and optimistic. I knew what to do, when to do it and how to do it.
Pitch Your Portfolio answered every single question I mentioned above and more! It completely changed my perspective on the entire process of pitching my artwork. I walked away prepared, confident, and optimistic. I knew what to do, when to do it and how to do it. I created my first surface design portfolio and began pitching in July 2021. And I’ve been following the strategies I learned in the course ever since.
Within the first year of consistently pitching, I partnered with 2 boutique marketplaces, and this year I signed my very first licensing agreement with a greeting card company.
I will say that if you aren’t consistent, and proactive, you won’t get anywhere even if you take the course. You have to invest yourself in making the changes needed to progress toward your licensing goals. But Pitch Your Portfolio gives you the tools and strategies to make it happen.
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Final thoughts
I can go on and on, but suffice it to say I highly recommend this course especially if you find yourself at a similar place I was in, in 2021. If you’re intrigued and would love to learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out to me with your questions. I’d love the chance to answer them as best as I can.
The Pitch Your Portfolio doors open April 4th, 2023(closing April 11th, 2023) and if I’ve convinced you to sign up, you can do so using my affiliate link here starting April 4th.
Disclaimer:I'm an affiliate for the Pitch Your Portfolio course. I'm sharing it with you because the course was beneficial to me and I think you might also benefit from it. By using my affiliate link, I may earn a percentage of the sale, but at no additional cost to you.
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