Hello, My name is Lubica and I work as an illustration agent – artbuyer. Usually my work jumps somewhere between commissions, illustrators and clients. I suppose, as a reader of this blog, you know this position or even work also like an artbuyer. I probably don’t have to tell you, that sometimes it really is not a piece of cake. Especially if you have tight deadlines, many commissions and some unexpected condition happens  (headache, Christmas, nervous partner etc.)

But, recently, my job had a twist – I was asked to test Minty. Platform for the community of artists and commissioning tool – but not from the position of agent, but from the position of artbuyer (usually my client). And you know what? I am loving it! Honestly, truly, from the bottom of my heart.

From my point of view, it brings illustration buying to a whole new level. The biggest advantages are its transparency, possibility to easily find and review completed commissions and not to search details of collaborations in thousands of emails and provides a huge help with bureaucracy. In this blog I won’t be explaining step by step how to hire an illustrator, but I will share my experience from a very personal view.

I wanted to make an illustration which will be needed by journalists in near future, so I decided to follow actual world events and I’ve picked up theme of French presidential elections. I decided to request a talented illustrator Marco Melgrati. I really liked his smart and conceptual style. It perfectly matches the theme.

Minty commissioning tool allowed me to choose reference pictures, write a brief, set budget, set deadlines for sketches and final artwork. You can also choose a right license for this kind of work. Great that I don’t have to deal every time with different licenses. I pressed the button “send to illustrator” and I waited. Marco accepted my request and he started to work. He understood my brief and after couple of days, he sent me his first sketches. Sketches appeared directly in our communication strip on Minty, so I didn’t have to download anything. It was very hard to choose which one I preferred the most.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a little discussion with my colleagues, we’ve decided to pick the one with guillotine. We were excited and couldn’t wait to see the result. Are you trilled, too?

 

 

When Marco finished his work I closed this commission. It would be great if I could review his work, because there is a lot positive to say. I already suggested it to Minty team and I’ve heard some rumours they are already working on it. Minty gives me opportunity to run successfully more commissions at the same time and not to get crazy with work overload. Even if some unexpected conditions happen (my computer burn, end of the world begun etc.), my work is on safe place and I have situation under my control.

Technology is meant to help people, and I have to admit, in this case I’m super happy, that this time it’s me who gets the benefit. Will it be you next time?