JACQUELINE COLLEY ON WHY YOU DON'T NEED BIG COMMISSIONS TO MAKE IT AS AN ILLUSTRATOR

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

Jacqueline Colley shows that illustrators don't need big-name commissions to succeed: she built a sustainable career by selling her own illustrated products through markets, online shops, and small independent retailers, gradually learning what sells and refining her process. By combining multiple income streams—products, wholesale, commissions, teaching, and licensing—and focusing on tangible, niche, community-driven work, she's created long-term stability without relying on chasing high-profile clients.