SUPPORT NETWORK/ LEARNING RESOURCE

Comparison of two support networks,  one local and one broad.

Local Jobs-
(Eg. Teaching, Art galleries-curation, mural artist, reportage, art director, tattoo artist, printmaking)
Pros:

• You may live closer to friends and family
• Easy transport and less travel expenses
• You are almost guaranteed work (stability)
• Facilities are mostly provided
• Help/advice from tutors etc. 
• Settle down, own house, family etc. 

Cons: 

• You can't travel much, tied to one place
• Repetitive work
• Dead end job? May have to do it for financial reasons 
• Boredom and circumstances could lead to depression etc. 
• Less free time

Freelance Jobs-

(Eg. Book cover/comic book design, concept art, costume design, editorial, children's books) 

Pros:

• Always working on something different- new experiences etc. 
• Lots of travel, see new places
• Able to visit a wide range of exhibitions and galleries
• Meet new people
• More independent
• Choose where you work and when
• Make more money as you can take on as many clients as you like
• Freedom

Cons:

• No guaranteed work
• Not close to family and friends (homesickness) 
• Less support
• No guaranteed or steady income
• Risky
• Facilities needs, have to fund yourself
• Could lead to depression (from financial strain etc) 

Comparison. 

The main points of having a local job is that you can stay closer to home, receive more support and build up funds and eventually a portfolio which is transferable when you want to take the plunge and become a freelance illustrator. As students, i imagine we would have a local job first, or a part time job, to support ourselves financially. 

In a local job you would be working to make a name for a company, and most of your creative efforts may not be seen in a broader sense. Freelance illustration provides opportunities to self promote yourself and your work, building a solid fan base and a portfolio of work which you choose to do. 

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