Artists: Looking for an opportunity to broaden your audience?

Every day millions of new web pages are uploaded onto the internet for the first time. Every day millions more are being updated and revised. There are literally billions of web pages on the Internet covering every facet of life. Business endeavors, education, science, theology, genealogy, news, entertainment, health, even Britney - the list of subjects that are covered in depth on the Internet is endless. Most websites and pages use some form of art or illustration.

While it is true that most of what is uploaded to the web is in textual form, the fact remains that graphics actually take up much of the bandwidth that makes its way to computer screens. Web design can consist of many graphics components, but these are the most common:

• Company logos
• Advertising banners
• Background and page art
• Site headers and footers
• Illustrations and graphs
• Caricatures and cartoons
• Specialized and unique typography
• Web page decorative art and graphics
• Fashion designs and photography

To see some examples of the typical art and illustration work requested, go here. Please note that some of these examples are copyrighted and may not be republished, but are being provided to show you what type of work would be most acceptable to fill future client requests.

I have not included video or music, even though those are also popular art forms used on the Internet. I've left those off because they don't really fit into the static design elements that I am focusing upon.

The list above includes the most obvious examples of the opportunity available on the Internet for both accomplished and aspiring artists . Even more valuable than the art itself could be the potential world-wide exposure and recognition that can come to truly talented artists contributing to the Internet.

What could this opportunity mean for you?

As an artist, you may ask how you could get a share of this business? You might also be thinking, "I work out of my home in a small town in the Pacific Northwest, far from everything except for trees and squirrels. How will anyone ever know that I even exist?" If you are part of an artist community in a larger city, you might ask yourself, "I am surrounded by so many talented people. How can I ever get my work to stand out from the crowd?"

Take just a moment, clear your head, and think of the reality. Can you even begin to quantify the amount of artwork that is already on the Internet? Somebody had to conceptualize, design, and create it? It didn't just evolve on its own. Someone was paid for those graphics you see. Yes, even the really crappy and boring stuff. Why not you?

Stay with me, please. Read on and see what the has been planned and how you might benefit by being a part of the Small Web Master's "grand scheme."

The Small Web Master makes a confession

There are many sources of royalty free and stock photography and art. As a webmaster, however, I often find that it is almost impossible to find just the right illustration or graphic to describe a particular idea, event or person. Copyright issues aside, most of the photographs and artwork available is either poorly done or suffers from overexposure. That's where you come in - assuming that you want to join the party.

Over the past few years, I've been asked to create for my clients logos, header graphics, and illustrations as part of my web design contracts. I'm fairly proficient with Photoshop and have an older version on my main computer. Photoshop is a very strong and functional program, but when it comes to conceptual art - it really sucks and so do I. When combined with total absence of artistic talent on my part, the results can be disastrous.

All of the illustrations used on the SmallWebMaster.com website were put together using combinations of contracted caricatures (yes, I actually paid for those little cartoony things) and royalty free photography. Not perfect by a long shot, but I tried (and probably failed miserably) to use them to convey the theme and branding of the website.

"Branding" -  The secret that could make you a fortune

What is the value of a logo? How much do you think the logos of IBM, McDonald's, or FedEx are worth? How much do you think those companies paid to have those logos designed and trademarked? What about the Chevrolet "bowtie" or CocaCola's script in all their permutations? It is because of the obvious power and value of "branding" that so many new companies are constantly searching for a "brand" that will identify the concept of their product and clearly establish their presence in the marketplace.

For personal websites, branding is not much of an issue. Usually a simple script font style will suffice and satisfy the needs of private individuals. But in recent months I have received many requests from small businesses and non-profit groups for original logos and artwork that will establish their image and branding. The Small Web Master is definitely not an artist - at least when it comes to "art."

The Small Web Master is asking for your help

I think that I have established the following facts:

• The Small Web Master has no artistic talent
• There is definitely a need and a market for low cost web graphics
• Most available web art is poorly conceived and suffers from over-exposure
• There is an opportunity here for some unknown artists to get a wider audience

I am hoping to establish good working relationships with a few artists based in the Pacific Northwest. These artists would, of course, each have their own styles and concepts. As I get requests for artwork to be included as part of my website development contracts, I would send out RFQs to my "team" and try to fill pending contracts through the use of their art. The client would be given a quote for the artwork and would be billed at completion. The artists who's work was used would be paid a major portion of those fees. Fairly simple concept, right? But there's more.

To meet my objective of  being able to provide excellent service while keeping my fees to a competitive minimum, I would want to keep the fees charged to my clients for associated artwork as low as possible. In some cases, this could mean that my charges might be less than the market would normally dictate for that artwork. To be sure that every artist is adequately compensated for their labor and time, as well as the value of their talent, I would additional perquisites as a part of each contract. Some perks would be considered standard, while others would be negotiated on a case by case basis.

Additional artist benefits for participation

Here are some examples of the additional perks that could be negotiated. In most cases, the client would see these as beneficial and valuable to a new website, while others might just consider them as small bargaining chips in order to keep their expenses lower.

• For small or limited number of illustrations: page and/or footer credits
• For larger graphics or multiple illustrations: page credits plus artist bio page
• Unique illustrations or artwork: credit, bio page, copyrights to artist

In addition to recognition on the websites that you contribute art to, you will also get a bio listing on the SmallWebMaster.com "Our Talented Artists" page (still under development). This page will give a short bio, your photo (if you make one available), and a list of the web pages where some of your art has been used.

In addition to the obvious benefits of having your art displayed, there are also some unexpected benefits. These extra perks could include:

• Search engine (Google, Yahoo!) listings pointing to your work and your name
• Assignments from other businesses and webmasters wanting to use similar art
• Published art that you can add to your own resume
• A featured web page or press releases on one of the SmallWebMaster.com blogs

The Small Web Master is eager to share the wealth and is willing to invest in your future. If you are a talented artist and would like to be a part of this program, please fill out and submit the form at the bottom of this page and we will add your name to our list of candidates for the few positions that will be made available.

Disclaimers

Please read the following disclaimers. If you still want to be considered for this program, please go to the next page, read the Artist Facts Section, and then submit your online application.

1. Hoyle Consulting Services and SmallWebMaster.com can expand or discontinue this program at any time without notice.
2. This is NOT an offer of employment by Hoyle Consulting Services or SmallWebMaster.com
3. There is NO GUARANTEE that an artist will be given any assignments by being associated with this program
4. Artist services, should they be requested, are strictly on an AT WILL AND PER JOB BASIS
5. The assignment of an artist project in one instance, does not guarantee further assignments
6. An art assignment is not considered for payment until acceptance and payment by ultimate client
7. Should a client fail to complete a transaction or refuse art submitted for any reason, project will be returned with all rights intact to the artist
8. Hoyle Consulting Services and SmallWebMaster.com will make every attempt to reuse or reassign completed projects should a client fail to accept or pay for the original order
9. Should an artist fail to complete an assignment within the time allotted, it may be reassigned to another artist and no payment made to the original assignee. In most cases, if a project is complex or has been initially rejected by the client as unacceptable, additional time will be given to the artist to make appropriate changes in order to meet the original contract.
10. Artist may leave this program at any time by simply notifying Hoyle Consulting Services by email or postal mail. Hoyle Consulting Services may terminate this agreement with any artist upon notification without recourse.
11. Artists and illustrators who are under EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT to an agent, agency, or business manager are expressly excluded from this program. If agency fees are payable, they must be paid directly by the artist to the agent. Under no circumstances will Hoyle Consulting Services or SmallWebMaster.com be liable for agency or management fees.

Please go to the next page and read the Artist Facts section. If you are still interested in joining this program, please fill out the online application. Click here to continue...