What clients need to prepare before commissioning an illustrator

You probably have more than you think

You don't need to have every detail worked out before you start looking for an illustrator. But it’s good to have a few basic things in mind before you make an enquiry.

The more clearly you can explain what you want the map to achieve, who it is for and how you expect to use it, the easier it will be for an illustrator to understand whether the project is a good fit.

Here's a simple checklist to help you prepare.

Know what you want the map to achieve

Think about the outcome you’d like.

What do you want the map to help people do? Are you trying to make a place easier to understand, encourage people to explore, communicate its character, guide an experience, or explain a location within a wider publication or story?

You don't need to have a perfectly worded plan. You just need a clear sense of what you want the map to achieve.

Think about your audience

Who will be using the map?

They might be hotel guests, tourists, museum visitors, event attendees, readers or customers. Think about what those people are likely to need from the map and what you want their experience of using it to be.

Knowing who you're communicating with helps establish the context for the project.

Consider where the map will be used

Think about where people will encounter the finished map.

It might appear on a website, in a brochure or leaflet, as signage, in a welcome pack, as part of an exhibition or within a digital guide.

The intended use can affect the size, format, level of detail and way the map needs to work. If you already know where and how it will be used, include that information when you make your enquiry.

Gather any existing material

This might include plans, photographs, Google Maps links, brand guidelines, existing maps, location lists or notes from other people involved in the project.

You don't need to create new material specifically for the enquiry. The aim is simply to have the information you already have available, so that you can share it when you're ready to discuss the project.

Involve the right people early

Think about who needs to be involved in the project and who will ultimately need to approve the finished map.

If several people or departments need to have a say, it's useful to establish that early. Knowing who the decision-makers and stakeholders are can help avoid delays later, particularly once the project is underway.

Have a rough idea of your timeline

You don't need an exact date for every stage of the project, but it helps to know what the map needs to fit around.

Perhaps it is needed for a seasonal launch, a brochure deadline, an event opening or a particular campaign.

Mentioning any important timing when you make your enquiry gives the illustrator a chance to consider whether the project can realistically fit within the available timeframe.

What you don't need to worry about

You don't need to arrive with perfect sketches, polished artwork or a working knowledge of illustration terminology.

You don't need to have every detail worked out before making contact. If you've thought about what you want to achieve, who the map is for, where it will be used and what you already have available, you've made a useful start.

The illustrator's role is to understand the project, ask the questions that need asking and establish what is required before the work begins.

This isn't about producing a perfect brief before you make contact. It's about being prepared enough to give the illustrator a clear starting point.