Work/Life 3: the UPPERCASE directory of international illustration

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED; THE BOOK IS FULL.

The Work/Life Series from UPPERCASE

When the first edition of Work/Life was published back in 2008, UPPERCASE was a fledgling publishing house. In 2009, our eponymous quarterly magazine was born, growing into a celebrated publication with readers around the world. In 2011, the second edition of Work/Life was released and featured 100 international illustrators. It was met with much enthusiasm, not only from art and illustration buyers who appreciated the book's quality content and curated talent, but also from other illustrators and aspiring artists who were inspired by the stories shared within. Our participants' careers have benefited from the book, garnering awards for their submissions and coveted assignments from their dream clients. The Work/Life series has developed into something even greater than a promotional publication—these books are educational, inspirational and beautiful; books that have value beyond just a directory of talent.

Unlike awards annuals or traditional illustration directories, our publication gets personal. As a participant, you are individually 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) are integral to each participant’s spread, allowing the reader to take a peek into your work/life. This personal connection allows art directors to get to know you; they can see the passion you have for your craft.

Each participant will have a double-page spread: one full page dedicated to a single illustration and the companion page will include editorial text and images specific to the artist as well as contact information.

THEME: AN ILLUSTRATED LIFE

With the third edition, we are pushing the personal nature of Work/Life to a new level. This edition's theme is "An Illustrated Life" in which we will explore the ups and downs of illustration and what it takes to stay creative. Each participant will offer their unique take on this theme. Based on our interview with you, we will create a bespoke illustration assignment specific to your interests and abilities but with an overall theme in place for the book as a whole. The assignment will be designed to bring out your best work and we will work along side you to ensure that the resulting image exemplifies your style and talent. With this theme in place, the book will have an unifying narrative of "An Illustrated Life" in tandem with the individual talents represented.

DISTRIBUTION

The book will be sent to a targeted list of at least 1000 of the most desirable clients in publishing, advertising and design. Participants can opt to submit a list of their top 10 dream clients, which will be compiled into the master mailing list. Participants will receive four complimentary copies of the book. Work/Life 3 will also be available for sale to the general public on the UPPERCASE website and through our network of stockists and bookstores around the world.

PROJECT SCHEDULE

March 1: Early Bird Deadline
March 15: Participation Deadline
March 15-30: Interviews and Bespoke Assignment
April 30: Full page illustrations due, supplemental images due
April–June: writing, editing, design
June 15: Participants final review of their pages
July 1: To printer
August: Mailing and distribution

PARTICIPATION FEE

Sign up early for a discounted rate. 
*Bonus: the first 50 paid participants will receive a free subscription or renewal to UPPERCASE magazine. A value of $80-$120 dollars!

EARLY BIRD
BEFORE MARCH 1: $500

AFTER MARCH 1: $600

HOW TO ENTER (SORRY, THE BOOK IS NOW FULL)

If you received a direct invitation from Janine, simply reply to that email. If not, please submit your contact information and website via the application form below for review. We will get back to you if you've been accepted. Upon acceptance, you will be required to submit your participant fee in order to gain access to our interview process. Please note that this is a curated book; your work must meet UPPERCASE standards for quality and content. Some artists will be vetted and invited to participate directly. Others will be evaluated before being accepted into the book; the content will be carefully curated and present only the very best in illustration talent. We also welcome recent graduates and current students just starting out in their illustration careers—Work/Life is an excellent opportunity to introduce yourself to the world.

Work/Life 3 participants

updated March 21, 2013

“I just got my copy of UPPERCASE’s Work/Life2 today and couldn’t put it down for what seemed an eternity. The UPPERCASE Directory of Illustration features 100 illustrators from around the world, compiled in a beautiful design.”

Tina Roth Eisenberg, Swiss Miss

"The aim of the book is to set apart these 100 illustrators from the thousands across the world. As such, the work featured in the book is only the best."

Joshua Coventry, Res Excellence

"I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed my copy of Work/Life 2. It arrived last week and I immediately sat down and read it all. It is such a wonderful publication with so many talented creatives—I am so grateful to you for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of it all."

Allison Langton, illustrator

"SO GREAT! I love how you've integrated so much story about people, a lovely little package. Thanks for including me."

James Gulliver Hancock, illustrator

BENEFITS

A two-page spread featuring a full page illustration.

An article written specifically about you.

You will work receive feedback and encouragement from UPPERCASE art director Janine Vangool about your bespoke illustration assignment.

The publication will be well-designed with high production values.

At least one participant will be commissioned (and paid) for the cover of UPPERCASE magazine.

We will select participants for paid spot illustrations in forthcoming issues of UPPERCASE magazine.

Participants will be featured on the UPPERCASE blog during the course of the project.

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, websites and media through advertisements and editorial submissions.

Compare our rates with the cost to do a typical mailer: Postcard printing (1000 full colour postcards, purchased mailing list, plus postage can be over $900.) (source: modernpostcard.com) Work/Life is a reference book that will be used repeatedly.

Watch the video below to see inside Work/Life 2: