So You Want To Make a Living as a Creative?

So you want to make a living as a creative? Understanding the distinctions between commercial art and fine art is the first step towards determining which path is best for you as a creator. 

You love to create. You want to see if you can make money doing this thing you love. 

I am going to give you a very blunt difference between the two on a practical, psychological and emotional level. 

If you want to just make art for the sake of creating, if your personal expression is most important, commercial art might not be for you. Keep in mind that you can still make art on the side for yourself when you work in commercial art and I hope you do! But to make a living with art that is your personal expression is a very different path. 

In commercial art your main purpose while creating is typically for someone else, for a product, a problem to solve, a message to convey. It is not really about your personal expression - it is about the message and precise purpose of the client. 

Their preferences will come first and ultimately help to dictate the final result that is shared with the world. (which you may not be perfectly happy with)

This is a fundamental thing to understand when making the choice between the two for your career. You need to be ok with creating for someone else's purpose and vision on a daily basis. While what we create is always somewhat personal, it is important to be able to take that out of it in commercial art. 

If the client wants changes, or doesn't like something you did, it is easy to take that personally if your mindset is that you are creating "your art".

If you go into it with a mindset of separation of your personal expression and creating something that fills a purpose and solves a problem, you will be much less likely to feel insulted when a client has changes to your work or negative things to say. And trust me, it will come across in your communication if you are feeling that! And this will make you be perceived as unprofessional or difficult to work with.

As someone that has experienced feedback on my work as a 20 year old student at the emotional maturity level we are all at at that stage in life - all the way through to today as a 45 year old mom and Creative Director, I have become very self-aware in the process. I have had some of the worst and best things said to me regarding my work over 25 years. 

That separation mindset is very important when you need to let client feedback and opinions roll off your back. It is just business, and while it is hard at first you do get better at it. However it does really help to know this ahead of time, be prepared for it and self aware of your reactions to these situations.

DEFINING COMMERCIAL ART VS FINE ART

Defining Commercial Art: Where Creativity Meets Commerce

Commercial art is a dynamic and ever-evolving field that intersects creativity with commerce. At its core, commercial art is crafted with the primary purpose of serving a commercial or business interest. It's the art you encounter daily, seamlessly integrated into the fabric of advertisements, branding, and marketing materials.

Key Characteristics:

• Commercially Driven: Commercial art is created with a specific goal – to sell a product, service, or idea.

• Audience-Oriented: Designs are tailored to appeal to target audiences and convey a particular message effectively.

• Reproducible: Often mass-produced for widespread use in advertising, packaging, and digital media.

Exploring Fine Art: The Personal Odyssey of Creativity

Fine art, on the other hand, is a journey into personal expression, aesthetics, and intellectual exploration. It's art for art's sake, often driven by the artist's desire to convey emotions, thoughts, and perspectives without the constraints of commercial objectives.

Key Characteristics:

• Aesthetic Emphasis: Focuses on visual appeal, emotional impact, or intellectual exploration.

• Originality and Uniqueness: Often one-of-a-kind pieces with a high level of craftsmanship.

• Personal Expression: Reflects the artist's emotions, thoughts, and perspectives.

Choosing Your Path

As you embark on your artistic journey, consider your goals, values, and creative aspirations. Are you drawn to the dynamic world of commercial art, where your designs could reach millions? Or does the personal odyssey of fine art, with its emphasis on originality and personal expression, resonate with you?

If you need some more personal guidance contact me! I would be happy to see how I can help.

FIND MORE RESOURCES FOR YOUR CREATIVE BUSINESS HERE