Dear Letter Drop readers,
Sorry, I’ve been slacking off on Illustrator Stories. To be completely honest, I didn’t know what to write about(!). Despite having an unending list of topics to talk about on my blog/substack/any other social media, I couldn’t escape the worries of “Am I really allowed to talk about this?”
However, I realized that’s the whole point of blogging. So here we go again, after taking some time off, I will write what I’ve gone through in this journey as an illustrator and share what I’ve learned from the process.
The culture in Korea and the US is very different, especially when it comes to meeting new people. First of all, you don’t expect to have a small talk with any strangers in Korea. It’s safer not to do it because you might make the other person uncomfortable. “Networking” might exist, but it will rather mean, “We might be good friends because you are a friend of my friends.” In the US, it means, “I love your elevator pitch about your expertise, and you seem like an interesting person. I would love to add you to my connection so we can potentially help each other’s business in the future.”
I don’t necessarily have strong feelings against networking, as I’ve been a person who organizes networking events for art professionals in NYC in the past. However, it wasn’t always easy for me to participate in it. Perhaps my introverted side requires a lot of energy to mingle with new people and some time alone to recharge afterward. Perhaps it was a cultural difference I had to learn and get used to. Perhaps I didn’t enjoy it as much as other fun things. Perhaps…. I didn’t find it necessary.
People have always emphasized the importance of networking. Especially those experienced in the industry—professors, mentors, established artists, and creative professionals—elaborate on the art of networking, which used to work so successfully at least 7+ years ago. They say you MUST know people in the industry if you want to break into the illustration world. You must attend the conference because you might meet awesome people who will potentially hire you in the future. You must attend illustration parties, events, and fairs to meet new artists, editors, and art directors. Don’t be so timid; talk to them, always have your business cards ready, and be polite.
That sounded exactly the polar opposite of my personality, which I love to say that in the core, there is “sinceritism.”(my own ideology to seek out, value, and emphasize the genuineness and sincerity in all matters) Yet, I’ve tried. Even if I had to put on a different mask and actively network with others in the industry, I did try because I didn’t want to miss out on a big opportunity, even though I didn’t know what exactly it was.
Did it really help me get to a better place in my career? In some ways, yes, I connected with many talented people I was inspired by. We’ve had great conversations, and I would come home all excited from the things we’ve shared. I would repeatedly say, “It was definitely worth going!”
I made a few close friends to share support on our crazy journey as an illustrator. We would attend events together or share our work and concerns along the way. As I was appreciating my little supportive world, I started to think - where did everyone else go? What happened to them?
This is what I learned. People will come and go. Some will walk away even after the great conversation you’ve had. It can be a personal reason, but mostly because there were no professional projects or advice to offer. If you think networking events will always bring you a great professional connection - learning about this fact will hurt you. But friends remain. People that you actually could relate to and be interested in.
My thoughts on networking have changed over time. But now I feel like I get a better sense of dealing with it. Networking is great, but it’s not as important as creating. When you feel anxious that you won’t break into the industry or that you will lose a big opportunity, create good work first. When you think there is no achievement, so you want to attend events and make connections, create good work first.
I'm not sure what to do, should I take more classes? Get another degree? Attend illustrators’ networking parties? Join the creative group… make artists friends? Make offline friends? How should I approach them first? What should I say?
Especially if any socializing exhausts your energy mentally and physically, attending to these should never be prioritized. I decided to think this way: When I’m not excited about attending a particular event, I will just shut up and work.
Don’t worry too much about putting a different mask on. Focus on being your true self. That will be the best way to create the work that I will love. Then others will love, too, eventually opening doors for greater opportunities. Just produce, produce, produce, as Rick Owen says about his philosophy, in place of worrying about making networking events worthy of your time.
Good luck! ❤️
Sincerely,
Cindy