Karl P. Morgan
Editorial Illustrator
Asheville, NC · (828) 555 0112 · name@example.com · linkedin.com/in/karlpmorgan
Key Qualifications
EXPERIENCE
9 years of commissioned editorial illustration, 6 of them independent
INDUSTRIES
Magazine and newspaper publishing, trade books, higher education communications
SPECIALTIES
Conceptual editorial images, portraiture, spot illustration series, licensing negotiation
SYSTEMS
Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dropbox, QuickBooks
CREDENTIALS
Member, Graphic Artists Guild and Society of Illustrators
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration, Ringling College of Art and Design
Results at a Glance
310
Commissioned illustrations
45%
Years by moving
3
Channel package
6
Collections of published
Executive Summary
Editorial illustrator with 9 years of commissioned work for magazines, newspapers and trade publishers. Reads a manuscript closely, sketches three routes and turns finals inside a news schedule. Licenses work by defined usage and territory rather than selling rights outright, and keeps her own archive registered.
Signature Achievements
- Delivered 310 commissioned illustrations across 9 years with 2 late deliveries, both agreed with the art director in advance.
- Raised average day rate 45 percent over 4 years by moving from all rights buyouts to defined usage licenses.
- Illustrated a cover feature that a national magazine ran across print, tablet and social, licensed as a 3 channel package.
- Registered 6 collections of published work with the United States Copyright Office and settled 2 unauthorized uses without litigation.
- Built a repeat client base of 11 publications that now brings in most work without cold outreach.
Professional Experience
Independent Illustrator
Chandrasekar Illustration, Asheville, NC 2020 to present
Sole practice serving national magazines, regional newspapers and 2 trade publishers on 40 to 60 commissions a year.
- Take briefs from art directors, present sketch routes and deliver finals to layout specification and deadline.
- Negotiate usage, territory, term and reprint terms in writing before any work begins.
- Invoice against signed terms, track kill fees and follow up on late payment without losing the client.
- Maintain the portfolio site, the archive of source files and the record of licensed uses per image.
Staff Illustrator
Blue Ridge Monthly, Asheville, NC 2017 to 2020
Regional magazine of 30 staff publishing 12 issues a year plus special editions.
- Produced 5 to 8 illustrations an issue including the feature opener and department spots.
- Sat in editorial meetings early so concepts could be developed alongside the writing.
- Prepared final art at press resolution and checked color against the printer proofs.
Junior Illustrator
Foothills Editorial Studio, Greenville, SC 2016 to 2017
Small studio producing illustration and infographics for regional publications.
- Drew spot illustrations and simple charts to art director briefs.
- Prepared files for print and web and kept the studio image library labeled and searchable.
Licensure and Certification
Member, Graphic Artists Guild
Member, Society of Illustrators
Registered collections with the United States Copyright Office
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration, Ringling College of Art and Design, 2016
Core Skills
Conceptual illustration · Portraiture · Digital painting · Ink and brush drawing · Sketch development · Licensing terms · Art director briefs · Deadline delivery · Procreate · Adobe Photoshop