PPP3: AOI Lecture

Today we had the Association of Illustrators lecture. Initially I wasn't too interested in this lecture as I didn't really know anything at all about the AOI and boy was it a curveball. I learnt so much! More importantly I learn things that initially swayed me on choosing to study at Leeds College of Art in the first place.

Firstly I want to start off discussing the acceptance of commission form they provided. It sets in stone the duration an illustration can be used for, where, for what purposes and any additional terms concerning the brief. These were all things that I hadn't really thought about before hand, even though John has mentioned them on a few occasions.

The representative also discussed;
- promo materials, how your contact info should be clear on all documents and websites.
- creative presence, social media/blogs should be updated frequently, several times a day if possible.
- accounts, keep up to date with accounting, apply for income tax within three months, keep receipts.
- the right to be recognised as the creator, and have you work not be altered in any form.
- reference fees.
- registration and copyright symbol do not need to exist to secure copyright.
- pricing, don't underestimate my skills, it's a disservice to the whole industry.

There is much to mull over now and I plan to create my own invoice and commission letter in the future after today's lecture. The only down side to this lecture was that there was so much information being thrown at us which was both relevant and interesting. I would have preferred if we had a section in the programme where we spend a week focusing on all of these points specifically.