Chewing Pencils

Tip 9:- Join a professional organisation

I’m not sure what it is, but people still laugh when I tell them I’m a member of a professional cartoonists’ association. It seems that for many, the words ‘professional’ and ‘cartoonist’ don’t belong together in the same sentence! However, like many industry organisations, the role of cartooning clubs/societies/organisations is an important one. They exist to promote the industry, nurture talent and support those that work in the field.

Steven Covey, in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People says that we should always look to “sharpen the saw.” That is, we should always be on the lookout for ways in which we can improve our drawing style and technique, our business sense and our appreciation of how the cartoon market is shifting and changing with time. Doing this on our own, isolated from other cartoonists and illustrators is next to impossible. But the professional organisation provides an ideal opportunity for this to happen.

Most professional organisations will have levels of membership that are appropriate for your stage in the cartoon journey. If you’re new to the game, an associate membership will give you most of the benefits and privileges of the club at a discounted price. Generally you’ll only miss out on things like voting rights for annual awards and eligibility for positions in the organisation. Full membership is just that - full access to everything the association has to offer, plus the opporutnity to serve in some of the decision making positions if you are so inclined.

Regardless of your membership level though, the benefits ensure that membership of a good organisation is good value for money. Here are a few of the benefits I have found from being a member of a professional organisation.

1. Feeling like I am a professional. I know that sounds pretty lame, but there is a good feeling when you can display your association’s logo on your stationery or casually remark to a friend, “I was speaking with (**insert name of well known cartoonist here**) today.” To me, it confirms that the dream has actually become a reality.

2. Constructive Criticism. My mother reckons everything I do is the greatest thing she has ever seen. This is nice, but not always helpful. Going along to the monthly gatherings of my association has meant that I have been able to receive well informed, constructive criticism about my style. This alone is worth the price of membership. 

3. Advice on technique. Early on in my career I was stumped about how certain artists were achieving a shading technique that I wanted to master. Over a bowl of soup, I was able to get all the information I needed from one of my heroes - I’m sure he doesn’t remember the night at all, but to this day (nearly ten years later) is one of the highlights in my career.

4. Advice on business. After meeting through the association, a cartoonist took me out to dinner and, during the course of the conversation, nearly choked on how little I was charging for my work. I knew I should charge more, but was too afraid - this guy took me through what he did and gave me the confidence to charge appropriately.

5. Updates on news and competitions. The Australian Cartoonists’ Association sends me an email every month or so that updates me on what is happening around the place cartoon-wise and alerts me to exhibitions and competitions that I would otherwise miss. This is a great resource.

6. Access to online forums.  The cartoon/illustration life is an isolated one and the online forums offered by associations provide a welcomed way to connect with others. They can also be a big time waster and a source of great frustration as you argue about how to fix the world with a 2B pencil - either way they are an excellent service provided by professional organisations.

7. Monthly meetings and annual conferences. The chance to meet with others is invaluable. Much of the personal information I have shared above stemmed from something in a monthly gathering. The annual conferences, if you can get to them, add even more value and give you the opportunity to meet others from more remote areas.

8. Discounts on materials and computer equipment. The closest thing we’ll ever get to a fringe benefit - professional associations are able to swing deals with suppliers that mean cartoonists can get discounts off things like software, brushes and entry to exhibitions.

9. Exposure. Often joining an association will get you listed in the ‘members’ section of their annual report or web site. I’ve been surprised at how many clients have contact me as a result of seeing my name listed on the ACA site - despite there being hundreds of names in the list.

10. A community of like-minded people, both locally and globally. This speaks for itself. Membership links you to a community that may end up offering you far more than advice on drawing cartoons. Friendships can form that last a lifetime.

In this post I have listed all the cartooning organisations I can find. Take some time to visit the websites and let me again encourage you to support the cartooning industry and your own cartooning career by joining a professional organisation.