UPPERCASE - Work/Life

Work/Life 2: the UPPERCASE directory of Illustration, international edition

DESCRIPTION | THEME | ABOUT UPPERCASE | BENEFITS | RATES | ENTER | SCHEDULE

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The promotional path of an illustrator’s career has changed dramatically in the past years. Although the traditional tools of promotion—postcards, awards annuals and illustration reps—are still around, it is our virtual world—online portfolios, blogs and social media—that has become a commonplace tool in promotion. However, this same web of connections that could bring you closer to landing a job with a dream client also invites a world of competition to your doorstep!

Work/Life is a book and media project that delivers your talent into the hands of art directors, publishers and art buyers. Unlike awards annuals or traditional illustration directories that are little more than picture books, our publication delves into what fuels a creative life. As a participant, you will be individually interviewed for specifics about your creative focus and artistic technique as well as your inspirations and aspirations. Additional imagery (sketchbook pages, studio shots, inspirational objects or personally illustrated anecdotes) will be integral to each participant’s spread, allowing the reader to take a peek into your work/life.

Each participant will have a double-page spread: one full page dedicated to a single illustration and the companion page will include editorial text and images specific to the artist as well as contact information.

In order to participate in this project, your work must be top quality. Your submissions will be evaluated by before being accepted into the book; the content will be carefully curated and present only the very best in illustration talent. We welcome recent graduates and current students just starting out in their illustration careers.

The book will be sent to a targeted list of at least 1000 of the most desirable clients in publishing, advertising and design. Participants can opt to submit a list of their top 10 dream clients, which will be compiled into the master mailing list. Participants will receive one complimentary copy of the book. Work/Life 2 will also be available for sale for a modest cover price to the general public on the UPPERCASE website and through our network of stockists and bookstores.

Another unique aspect of Work/Life: the UPPERCASE directory of illustration will be a companion iPhone app that will allow art directors to quickly access and search the UPPERCASE directory on the go, flag their favourites and to connect directly with you. The release of this innovative app will help draw interest in the participants as well as the book. (free to the targeted list and those who purchase the book. A minimal download fee may apply to those who elect to purchase just the app.)

THEME

Work/Life 2 is a continuation of the theme we explored in the first edition. Being a professional illustrator is a full time job that goes beyond the mainstream nine to five: tough deadlines mean late nights and flashes of inspiration can happen anytime. Your sketchbook is an indispensable appendage. You might spend innumerable hours secluded in your studio, or perhaps you’re a regular at the local coffeeshop. Chances are, your work and your life are one and the same and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

With the ease of international communication via email and file transfers, art directors are not limited by geography when it comes to selecting the right illustrator for the job. Alas, this means that we don’t often meet our collaborators face-to-face. Work/Life brings us all closer together through personal stories, insightful interviews and compelling images while celebrating the diversity of illustrative talents from around the globe.

ABOUT UPPERCASE

UPPERCASE publishing inc. specializes in creating original, top-quality content and design for creatives. It has published a variety of books as well as the popular UPPERCASE magazine. The magazine received a National Magazine Gold Award for best art direction and was recognized as one of 16 finalists in the Society of Publication Designers' Magazine of the Year (in company with such publications are Wired, Real Simple, GQ, The New York Times Magazine and other.) The first edition of Work/Life was recommended in Communication Arts and garnered a Best in Show award for the Unisource NUARS competition.

BENEFITS

You will be personally interviewed about your work.

The publication will be well-designed with high production values.

The Work/Life iPhone app expands the reach of the project.

You will receive a complimentary profile on UPPERCASE’s community website (full launch in August) with links to your portfolio, blog, twitter and other social media and the ability to post news and images to directly to the UPPERCASE reader news feed. ($200 value)

At least one participant will be commissioned for the cover of UPPERCASE magazine.

At least one participant will be commissioned for spot illustrations in each issue of UPPERCASE magazine in 2011.

One participant is guaranteed a personal portfolio evaluation with an artist representative (company to be announced).

We do the work for you! We send the book to the potential client list. If there’s a specific target that you want us to include, just let us know.

We will promote the book and our artists to the appropriate publications and websites through advertisements and editorial submissions.

Compare our rates with the cost to do a typical mailer: Postcard printing (1000 full colour postcards, purchased mailing list, plus postage can be over $900.) (source: modernpostcard.com) Work/Life is a reference book that will be used repeatedly.

Companion exhibition in UPPERCASE gallery with the opportunity to sell prints of your work.

Printed and produced in Canada.

*Bonus: the first 50 paid participants will receive a free subscription to UPPERCASE magazine.

Flip through the first edition

Open publication