Nowadays, there are a lot of social networks that can be useful to illustrators in many ways. Some can overlap and offer similar services.
Online portfolios
Having a portfolio online is a great way for an illustrator to showcase their work. One option is to have a personal website. Another possibility (that can be combined with having a website) is to use a well-known website to publish a portfolio. The main ones are:
Dribble: Dribble has a reputation for quality. For a long time, someone had to be invited to have a Dribble account, and, as a result, the work presented on Dribble was considered of a higher standard (see https://www.thedesignerstoolbox.com/ux-portfolio/dribbble-vs-behance/). It seems that an invitation is no longer necessary to open an account but applications still need to be approved by Dribble. Having a presence there is not only a way to showcase some pieces. It can also be a source of inspiration to look at the work of other artists. There are also job opportunities.
Behance and Adobe Portfolios: Both websites belong to Adobe. They are another way to create a portfolio online. I created an Adobe portfolio at some point but it needs to be updated. Although the features are quite basic, I found that it was a good way to start as it is very simple.
Instagram: Instagram enables an illustrator to show their current work or to follow other artists. Although I’ve never posted, I opened an account to look at the work of illustrators as it seems that this is the channel they often use to show their work at the moment.
Pinterest: I use Pinterest a lot as a source of inspiration. However, it can also be a way to share some personal work with a link to a personal website for instance.
Websites where illustrators can sell their illustrations
Several websites offer illustrators the possibility to sell their work online either as digital files or to be printed on products such as t-shirts or other items. These websites take a commission that varies from one place to another. Among the main ones are:
Etsy: Although Etsy does not specialise in selling illustrations, it is possible to sell digital illustrations on their website.
Creative market (https://creativemarket.com/): This website is more specialised and sells digital products such as fonts, patterns or other forms of illustrations.
Learning opportunities
Some websites offer tutorials. There are great to learn new skills. There is also the possibility for an illustrator to create a tutorial.
Youtube is a very well-known website where many tutorials are available.
Archived work
Flickr seems to be an interesting way to organise files such as photos and videos although I have not had the opportunity to use it.
Discussions around illustration
For a student at OCA, the OCA forum can offer the opportunity to share some advice with other students. Discord is another place where students can communicate with each other.
There are many other social networks online and this is an area that is evolving all the time. New networks are created, some merge with others, some are owned by others. For instance, someone with a Dribble account can now open a shop on Creative Market to sell their digital products, Behance belongs to Adobe,…
There is an overlap between the various websites and it is sometimes difficult to know what are the best options.
However, they offer great opportunities for illustrators to showcase or sell their work, find sources of inspiration or communicate with other illustrators.
It probably has changed the way illustrations are used. For instance, today someone can buy an illustration on a website such as Shutterstock to illustrate a report or create an invite. In the past, the same report or invite will have probably be created without an illustration as it would have been too difficult or expensive to buy a bespoke image.
This has also increased competition because anyone around the world can use these networks.
At the moment, I have used these networks mainly for inspiration but I would like to start developing a portfolio online.
sources:
https://www.thedesignerstoolbox.com/ux-portfolio/dribbble-vs-behance/
www.vandelaydesign.com/best-social-networks-designers/ (7 of the best Social Networks for Designers)
www.creatopy.com/blog/social-media-for-designers/ (8 useful social media channels for designers)
Catherine Roux Degree in Illustration 