Lone wolf or Gang warfare

I chose this field of research as I feel it will enable me to gain an understanding of the pros and cons in setting up a group studio, in contrast to going it alone, comparing both sides of the argument.

Firstly a change in the way companies work with illustrators, it has radically changed as employers need guaranteed reliability. Now to gain trust, collaborative groups or small illustration teams are emerging to take more control of the market. I have had talks with my colleagues about making a group website and feel it is an immediate way to attract more business.

When working as a team, one main advantage is versatility for example Maa Designs in Leicester, specializes in Digital illustration, Book Illustrations, Cartoon Drawings, Medical illustration, Portrait illustrations, Fashion illustrations and will do just about any other type of illustration you want. They boast that 100% of people who use their company use them again and are completely satisfied with their products. This shows how grouping a team and banding together make a strong work force that dominates the market.

A disadvantage in a team is selling individuality, Ste Mack is a classic example of a freelancer who works from home and promotes himself through a plain and simple website. Selling individuality is important to an illustrator and is a key aspect of self promotion. I recognize that I have a weakness in verbal communication and working as part of a team can enhance communication skills’.

Freelancers can find work through networking their skills according to an anonymous source Rylo, G (2010) states that a

“Versatile agency model can help a freelancer land jobs that require targeted, specific experience and skills outside the scope of one individual.”

By being versatile and networking they don’t have to be part of a big company yet strong relationships can exist Rylo, G (2010)

“Freelancers and clients may form a relationship based on mutual needs and the professionalism and competence of both parties.”

Not everyone is suited to being a freelancer according to Rylo

“Being a freelancer requires discipline and self-motivation”

There are certain jobs that would require other people on the team such as advertising, as people who specialise in graphic design and animation skills are there to help. Would one person be able to do such tasks? Most likely not! Would he/she need to join forces with other freelancers because there is no reason why they can’t and still be known as a freelancer? More than likely as it would lighten the load! If this were to happen would it be a self-managed team or a project team, would they work together on more than one occasion, effectively forming an interdependent team and thus collaborating to solve problems.

Regarding harmony within the team’s work studio, it generally works best when artists are familiar with one another and have faith and expectations in one another, however increasingly in 'Drop-in' shared type studios are forming where they take turns on equipment at alloted time periods, but the obvious disadvantage here being that if you need assistance with something, having others input would be more logical in this instance rather than struggling alone with time constraints.
A thing that can make a team stand out from a freelancer is variation, Vormittag from Contain Plus often is given unconventional projects, and notably tells of problems that emerge

"Every time we tackle unknown areas, we have to work on unknown surfaces, deal with lighting, fabrics, durable printing, three-dimensional thinking... almost every job brings a new challenge,"

I interpret this statement to mean that a cohesive team will be able to brain-storm notions, identify potential problems, debate over what does and doesn't work, and how any project could be improved.


As a conclusion I have decided that freelancing is about individuality and is a good way to promote you. A freelancer’s money earned goes to themselves alone unless you have set up an agent or other middle man. A team however is about sharing these things... profits, jobs, skills, equipment, websites and so on. I think both have benefits and think it would be best to work as both, one person could not build a city but one person could help.

References
http://www.articleco.com/Article/FreelanceWritingJobs-----Crafty-System-To-Make-Cash-Or-Yet-One-More-Discouraging-Piece-Of-Junk-/264130 accessed 15/07/10Article By: Georg Rylo The Article Company
http://www.containerplus.co.uk/publications/CA_septoct2006.htm
Computer Arts 127, Sept 2006: by Nick Spence
No Limits Design