5 things you must do as a Visual Artist in 2017

Happy new year, fam!

Welcome to the start of something new. I think we would all agree that 2016 was an unusual year, especially for Nigerians. It was a particularly difficult year for the working class, both employees and entrepreneurs.  Jobs were lost, salaries were cut, businesses closed shop and a lot of us cut down on expenses.

Now, it’s a new year and the question on my mind is : What does the year hold for creatives?

I’m no soothsayer, so this question might be difficult for me to answer. What i can do though, is to share a few things that the PnB team did last year to help make it our best year yet.

• Stick with the plan : This is really important. Whatever goals you set at the at the start must remain your focus. This is because there will be Ups and Downs in every year, whether due to a recession or a toppled government or inflation. Your goals cannot afford to change with these changes.

That said…

• Adapt : …your methods of execution should be flexible and fluid. You should be open to new ways of thinking and be ready to apply them when necessary.

The world has never been more dynamic than it is right now. What this means for you and I can be summed up in this sentence : The way Yusuf Grillo made it is not going to be the same way you will make it. Admire the old, then develop the new.

• Stay Positive : If you are looking for reasons to be discouraged in today’s world, you wouldn’t have to search at all. The reasons will find you. Stay positive as an artist. It has a way of opening your mind to endless possibilities.
• Put your best foot forward : People generally are more careful with the way they spend their money and time. This is both true and necessary. It also means that they are only willing to take calculated risks on people/brands that they can trust. They will do their research and if they cannot find you, they won’t approach you. As a visual artist, what this means for you is that you have to do your best every time and make sure that people see it. Don’t be shy.

You aren’t on Instagram? Join Instagram. No website? Build one. Print Business cards. Attend art and design gigs. This will help you attract clients.

• Improve : Don’t be too big to learn from people. Visual artists and designers are getting better everyday, so you have to stay woke so as not to get blindsided. If you are at the top, do everything you can to stay there. If you are midway, accelerate. If you are at the bottom of the rung, you are lucky because it means that you aren’t on anyone’s radar. Move up so fast that people won’t see you coming!

 

Whatever you do, make sure 2017 is your best year yet!

Thank you!

 

                                                                                                                                                                                         Tolu