Work / Life
The UPPERCASE directory of Canadian Illustration & Photography Talent
DESCRIPTION / THEME / ABOUT UPPERCASE / BENEFITS / PANEL / RATES / ENTER / SPONSORSHIP / SCHEDULE
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Work/Life is a book project celebrating Canadian illustration and photography. Unlike magazine awards annuals or traditional illustration directories that are little more than picture books, our publication delves into what fuels a creative life. As a participant, you will be interviewed for specifics about your creative focus and artistic technique as well as your inspirations and aspirations. Additional imagery (sketchbook pages, studio shots, inspirational objects or personally illustrated anecdotes) will be integral to each participant’s spread, allowing the reader to take a peek into your work/life.
In addition to the artist pages, Work/Life will have more editorial content such as insights from industry mentors, interviews with reknowned art directors, and the documentation of a real illustration job from start to completion from two perspectives: from the art director who hires and the commissioned artist who gets the job. This editorial content further elevates Work/Life from the average directory: our goal is to produce an informative, entertaining, beautiful and long-lasting book that will be a valued reference for art buyers.
Each participant will have a double-page spread: one full page dedicated to a single illustration and the companion page including a editorial text and images specific to the artist, a brief bio and contact information.
The book will be sent to a targeted list of 400 of the most desirable clients in publishing, advertising and design in North America. Participants will receive one complimentary copy. The book will be launched at an opening reception of an exhibition featuring work from the book. Complimentary copies will be given to invited guests that evening. Following the launch, Work/Life will be sold in UPPERCASE’s bookstore and online to the general public at a modest cover price.
THEME
Being a professional illustrator of photographer is a full time job that goes beyond the mainstream nine to five: tough deadlines mean late nights and photo shoots might whisk you away to unexpected places. Flashes of inspiration can happen anytime, so your sketchbook is an indispensable appendage. You might spend innumerable hours secluded in your studio, or perhaps you’re a regular at the local coffeeshop. Chances are, your work and your life are one and the same and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
ABOUT UPPERCASE
UPPERCASE gallery, books & papergoods highlights the world of design and illustration through exhibitions, unique products and books. Since opening in 2005, UPPERCASE has hosted some notable exhibitions of Canadian talent: Aaron Leighton’s Canadian Superheroes, Renata Liwska’s children’s book illustration, Kirstie Tweed’s Orange Girl photography, Katie Radke’s Natural Selection and Doug Fraser’s Banal Drama. The gallery has also curated numerous thematic group shows featuring local, national and international artists such as Camilla Engman, Christopher Silas Neal, Lisa Congdon, Stephanie Augustine, Chelsea Cardinal, Ryan Heshka, Bella Pilar, Daniel Chang and Heather Sloane.
The gallery gained international attention in the summer of 2007 for The Shatner Show, an exhibition and publication of over 70 illustrations inspired by the life and career of William Shatner. An illustrious roster of invited participants included Mark Todd, Esther Pearl Watson, Martha Rich, Calef Brown, Marcos Chin, Joe Morse and many more. Equally important, the book featured many recent graduates and up-and-coming talent.
UPPERCASE is the creative effort of proprietor Janine Vangool. Janine graduated from the Visual Communications program at the Alberta College of Art & Design in 1995. Her solo design studio, Vangool Design & Typography, was formed the following year. Her client focus remains in arts and culture, creative small business and publishing. Past and current clients include Calgary Opera, ACAD, Ottawa Art Gallery, TRUCK gallery, Art Central, Beyond Magazine and Whitecap Books. Her work has been included in Communication Arts Design Annuals and has received many awards. She was a member of the 2007 Alternative Pick illustration jury and was a judge for the 2006 Junos’ music packaging category.
BENEFITS
- One participant is guaranteed to get a paying job! (Client to be announced.)
- One participant is guaranteed a personal portfolio evaluation with an artist representative (company to be announced).
- One participant is guaranteed to be published in Beyond magazine’s Sketchbook feature.
- Show and sell your artwork in the Work/Life exhibition at UPPERCASE and online shop. 80% off the proceeds go to you, so you have a chance to recoup your participant fee. (Regular gallery sales are divided 50/50. For this exhibition, the 20% will cover gallery costs such hanging the show, transaction fees and handling/shipping to purchasers.)
- The book will have no more than 100 participants, so your work will be noticed.
- You will be personally interviewed about your work.
- The publication will be well-designed with high production values
- You will be listed on UPPERCASE’s website with a link to your online portfolio.
- We do the work for you! We send the book to the potential client list. If there’s a specific target that you want us to include, just let us know.
- We will promote the book and our artists to the appropriate publications and websites through advertisements and editorial submissions.
- Compare our rates with the cost to do a typical mailer: Postcard printing (500 premium printed 4x6 postcards $350), purchase a client list (minimum $250 USD for Canadian listings and up to $950 for United States) plus postage ($200 addressed admail in Canada) and your time and effort. (sources: Clubcard, Agency Access, Canada Post)
- We offer reasonable professional rates and special rates for new graduates and current students. Sign up early for a discounted rate.
- Printed and produced in Canada.
QUALITY PANEL
In order to participate in this project, your work must be top quality and meet professional standards. Your work will be evaluated prior to acceptance. A panel of professionals will review your work. Mike Kerr, Katie Radke, Aaron Leighton, Kirstie Tweed and UPPERCASE owner, Janine Vangool
RATES
Professional
$400
Recent Graduate (2006/2007 graduation year)
$300
Student (currently enrolled and/or graduating in 2008)
$200
HOW TO ENTER
Please submit your contact information via the online form at http://www.uppercasegallery.ca/directory-participation. You will be asked to include a link to your online portfolio. If you don’t have an online portfolio or want to include a specific images, then you can email up to five jpg files to info@uppercasegallery.ca with the word “directory” in the subject field. The email size should not exceed 5MB. Your samples will be reviewed the panel and we will get back to you about your acceptance in the project and payment requirements.
SPONSORSHIPS
We are looking for creative companies or patrons to support this project. You will receive a half-page space for an ad or other message for $500. (The design of this space must meet our standards; we offer complimentary design of this section if you’re unable to provide a print-ready file.)
SCHEDULE
ongoing
Participant interviews and content submissions
**March 29**
Final deadline for all artwork and images
May 5
Exhibition-ready artwork due to the gallery
June
Book launch and exhibition
book distribution and promotion