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Top Licensing Categories
Coveted by artists…
When I speak with artists and ask them to identify the top three categories they’d like license their art to, I inevitable get the same answer. Tabletop, bedding and usually Juvenile.
Naturally, success in getting your art licensed with specific categories depends in large part on your style. Too many artists are influenced by family and friends who rarely make a distinction between what they would like to see on product versus what they would actually purchase. After all the artists is a relative or a close friend and their opinions are biased.
In the end, artists have to be critical about how their style or hand works with existing products driven by art. The best way to do this is to constantly evaluate the retail landscape and ask yourself two questions. Is my work suitable for the product? And, does the manufacturer license art or is it created in house? Being able to look objectively at the right ‘marriage’ of style and product is one of the key elements of licensing success.
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How to Benefit
from Trade Shows…
By most standards, the GLM sponsored SURTEX show in New York this past month and the recent LIMA Licensing Show in Las Vegas are the two preeminent shows for artists interested in licensing their art. But many artists who attend for the first time are overwhelmed. The first thing you must remember is to breath. Second, wear comfortable shoes. Some advice on getting the most from attending:
1. Have a stated objective in mind. It might be to see how other artists are displaying their work. Or, perhaps you want to evaluate your own potential relative to others who maybe creating in your style. The objective will give you a good frame of reference and you’ll feel satisfied at the end at least knowing that you achieved what you set out to do by going.
2. Remind yourself often that exhibitors are there to pitch their art or artists.. so be very cautious about jumping into their booth and trying to show your art. Gather information- especially who the decision makers are and when they prefer to review art. The show is generally NOT the time to try and pitch your work but it is a great opportunity to gather specific info in one place, at one time, of who you need to get to post show.
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