This is a “Green” blog post – as in, it’s recycled.

I also recommend you use numbers and letters and not symbols – again, easier and quicker to say and stay on the same page.  Say this out loud:  DRAA102   Now say this:  DR∞fY20ª   See my point?   So without further ado – here’s the original post… re-enjoy!

So I sat down and got stuck. For some reason I thought there was some magic formula to code creation -that there was a “right” or “wrong” way to do it, and I certainly didn’t want to do it wrong!

Then I came to my senses and realized that if the code was for me, I could make it any way I pleased! This is not the DaVinci Code after all… it is to organize art and make my life easier. My code, my rules. Cool!

Then I went back to scratching my head… my code system couldn’t be too complicated – I wanted to be able to create and decipher the codes with a fancy decoder ring.

Ideally the codes needed to grow with my business. Easy enough to remember, but detailed enough to support a lot of art. I didn’t want to have to create a new system and need to update everything in a year, 3 years, 5 years or even 20 years.

Here is what I came up with: my codes consist of 4 letters and 3 numbers.

The first two letters represent one of 12 categories of art. For example, “DR” means it is a drink collection (like martinis or margaritas – yum!), “CH” means it is a Christmas collection.

The next two letters represent the collection name. So the “Ho, Ho, Holiday” christmas collection is “CH” for Christmas and “HH” for “Ho, Ho”.

The letters tell me the category and collection. Now come the numbers.

Since I design collections with icons, borders and repeat patterns – with words and images thrown in – I have 100′s thru 500′s. All numbers are 3 digits.

Icons: 100′s — so CHHH101 is a Santa, CHHH102 might be a tree, CHHH103 a stocking, etc.

Patterns: 200′s — CHHH201 might be a holly toss – if I have the same pattern in different colorways – say one with a red background and one with tan, I add a letter at the end. So CHHH201A and CHHH201B…

Images: 300′s — mockup images or scenes are 300′s.

Words: 400′s — sometimes I have sayings done in my handwriting or a decorative way – they get 400′s.

Borders: 500′s.

When I finish a collection I create a pdf with pages containing all the icons, borders, words, scenes and patterns – with the code under each. Then if I am at a trade show or email the pdf to someone, we can jot down the code instead of writing out a long description of the image. Saves time and decreases confusion. I include codes and images whenever possible in contracts as well.

SO… there is no time like the present. If you start coding right away, you won’t have to go back and code 5 years worth of work. Create a system that makes sense to you and for your work.

Happy creating!

– Tara Reed

In the hour we talked about all the questions submitted by artists, I learned so much and hope that everyone on the line did as well!  If you missed it you are in for a treat because the mp3 replay is available for free! (Well, the cost is your email so we can keep you up to date on what is coming up!)

I also really enjoyed getting to know Suzanne better and learning about how she looks at art, works with artists and tries to make art licensing a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Here are the topics we covered:

• How do you know if you are ready for an agent?
• How often do agents want art?
• What criteria does Suzanne use when deciding if she will represent an artist?
• Does an artist have to have experience in licensing to get an agent?
• How much art do you need to find an agent?
• Do different agents specialize in different product categories?
• Can you work with more than one agent?
• Do many agents work on a non-exclusive basis?
• What if you do mostly pattern work – will you be able to find an agent?
• Is it a good or bad idea to build a following for a character on sites like Zazzle and personal websites before trying to license the character, or will that hurt the chances of success?
• Do artists have to have computer skills to succeed in licensing? 
• What computer skills would be helpful for artists to know if they want to license their work?

Suzanne also mentioned several times (much to my delight!) that it is good to be able to mock-up your designs on products so you or your agent can show manufacturers how well your designs will apply to their products. (I didn’t even prompt her – I promise!)  So if you don’t have your copy of Product Mock-Up Magic yet, maybe now is the time to get it!

I promised to link to my blog post about creating a code system for your art – another thing Suzanne recommends. CLICK HERE

Finally, we talked about a Photoshop plug-in, Contact Sheet, and I will do a separate blog post about that soon.  Thank you to all the artists who sent me information – it seems to be in different spots in each version of Photoshop and I haven’t had time to really dig in and investigate.  Stay tuned…

To get your copy of the mp3 replay, CLICK HERE

Here’s to your creative success!

– Tara