Page 18 - 1925 November - To Dragma

TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

they must be samples of the particular kind of work of which
they are in immediate need.

Above all, never be discouraged. What one publisher does
not like or need another may enthusiastically accept. Continue
to make new samples as you become dissatisfied with your old
ones. Enter every contest whether you win or not. I t supplies
a definite problem against which to match your ability and gives
experience and occasion f o r making samples besides opportunities
for practical criticism.

You may get a position as general artist with an advertising
agency or, finding yourself more capable in one line, specialize
in that and finally have a studio of your own (free lance).

Free lancing is uncertain but interesting, especially i f one
wishes to submit one's own ideas and to work them out accord-
ing to one's own tastes.

I have, personally, found that much more satisfactory since
I do not live in a city where the demand is greatest and I must
come and go at intervals. This also furnishes an opportunity to
select one's clients among those who need the type of work one
wishes to do.

Fortunately there are organizations wishing to appeal to a
clientele of educated people. These require the highest type of
art work and spend the most f o r i t so that it is not necessary
to sacrifice art for advertising. Rather they go hand in hand.
The more one knows of the fine arts the better are her chances
in this particular field.

The value of ideas cannot be overestimated in art f o r adver-
tising and the more one knows about advertising, the better.

The salaries f o r art work range f r o m about twenty to one
hundred dollars a week. I n free lance work it is limitless both
ways, the charge being based upon the drawing or upon the time
required to make it. I n New York some of the best commercial
artists rate their work at ten dollars an hour. Greeting card
designs which one can do at home bring from about five to
ten dollars each. I should advise a beginner to consider the
money value least of all and devote all energies to experience
and quality in her work. Prices for illustrations vary according
to the reputations of the artists and the budgets of the publishers.