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How to Apply to Illustration Agents: Everything You Need to Know
Illustration, Design Tips, Small Business, Freelancing Shira Bentley Illustration, Design Tips, Small Business, Freelancing Shira Bentley

How to Apply to Illustration Agents: Everything You Need to Know

Navigating the world of illustration can be both exciting and challenging, especially when it comes to expanding your opportunities and finding the right clients. This is where an illustration agent can become an invaluable ally. But how do you apply to an agent, and what should you expect when working with one?

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10 Best Skillshare Courses for Improving Your Design or Illustration Skills

10 Best Skillshare Courses for Improving Your Design or Illustration Skills

Skillshare is one of my favourite ways to keep upskilling as a creative—and it's something I've used for years to stay sharp, explore new techniques, and push my work in new directions. Whether you’re looking to deepen your illustration skills, get better at branding, or explore motion design, here’s a curated list of 10 top-rated Skillshare classes for designers and illustrators.

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Do Consumers Actually Like AI-Generated Content? Here’s What the Research Says
Graphic Design, Illustration, Design Tips, Branding Shira Bentley Graphic Design, Illustration, Design Tips, Branding Shira Bentley

Do Consumers Actually Like AI-Generated Content? Here’s What the Research Says

Over the past year, I’ve had countless messages from creatives asking the same thing: “Should I be worried about AI taking over?”

It’s a fair question. AI is moving quickly, and it’s changing the creative industry in real time. There's a lot to unpack in this conversation—copyright, ethics, opportunity—but today I want to focus on one key question:

What do consumers actually think about AI-generated content?

Because while brands might be drawn to AI for its speed and cost-cutting potential, their primary goal is still to connect with people—and the data shows that’s where AI is falling short…

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5 Common Reasons Creatives Struggle to Get Work—And How to Fix Them
Graphic Design, Illustration, Design Tips Shira Bentley Graphic Design, Illustration, Design Tips Shira Bentley

5 Common Reasons Creatives Struggle to Get Work—And How to Fix Them

It’s one of the most frustrating experiences for any creative: you're showing up, doing the work, putting yourself out there—and still not seeing results. No new clients. No replies. No leads.

Recently, I spoke to an illustrator who was in exactly that place. She was updating her portfolio, posting on social media, sending outreach emails—but nothing was landing. She was starting to wonder if it was time to give up.

But the truth is, she was much closer than she thought…

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What’s on My Desk: Tools I Use Daily as a Designer and Illustrator
Graphic Design, Design Tips, Illustration, Freelancing Shira Bentley Graphic Design, Design Tips, Illustration, Freelancing Shira Bentley

What’s on My Desk: Tools I Use Daily as a Designer and Illustrator

Your desk is more than just a place to work—it’s where ideas spark, designs take shape, and creativity flows. As a designer and illustrator, having a workspace that’s functional, comfortable, and inspiring can make a huge difference to your process and output.

In this post, I’m giving you a peek at my current desk setup and sharing the tools I reach for every day…

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Top 10 Books Every Creative Business Owner Should Read

Top 10 Books Every Creative Business Owner Should Read

Running a creative business means juggling artistry, strategy, and systems—all while trying to stay inspired and avoid burnout. Whether you're a designer, illustrator, or creative entrepreneur, the right book can be a game-changer for your mindset and momentum…

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Creative Burnout Is Real: 4 Ways to Protect Your Energy and Stay Inspired
Graphic Design, Illustration, Design Tips, Freelancing Shira Bentley Graphic Design, Illustration, Design Tips, Freelancing Shira Bentley

Creative Burnout Is Real: 4 Ways to Protect Your Energy and Stay Inspired

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It creeps in slowly—so slowly that at first, it might not even register. One day, you’re energised by every project that comes your way. The next, you’re staring blankly at your screen, wondering why the work you once loved now feels like a chore…

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Time Management Tips for Freelance Creatives: Staying Productive and Balanced

Time Management Tips for Freelance Creatives: Staying Productive and Balanced

For many freelance creatives, managing time can feel like an endless juggling act. Between multiple projects, client deadlines, and maintaining a personal life, the days can easily feel too short. I’ve been there. In the early years of my business, I often found myself working late into the night or sacrificing weekends to catch up…

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Top Marketing Tips for Designers and Illustrators: Proven Self-Promotion Strategies

Top Marketing Tips for Designers and Illustrators: Proven Self-Promotion Strategies

For many creatives, self-promotion can feel daunting. The idea of marketing yourself might evoke cringeworthy memories of awkward sales pitches or fears of sounding too pushy. I’ve been there, too. But over time, I realised that promoting my work wasn’t just an optional part of growing my creative business—it was essential…

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Unlocking LinkedIn: The Hidden Goldmine for Designers and Illustrators

Unlocking LinkedIn: The Hidden Goldmine for Designers and Illustrators

When it comes to finding clients, LinkedIn probably isn’t the first platform that comes to mind for illustrators and designers. It’s easy to assume it’s just for corporate professionals, recruiters, or people looking for traditional 9–5 roles.

But if you’re a creative professional—whether you freelance, run a studio, or sell design services—it’s time to start seeing LinkedIn for what it really is…

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Why Every Creative Should Be Using Pinterest (and How to Maximise Your Reach)

Why Every Creative Should Be Using Pinterest (and How to Maximise Your Reach)

As a busy creative, you’re likely juggling multiple projects, deadlines, and platforms. So when it comes to promoting yourself and your products, you want to invest your time in strategies that deliver real results. Enter Pinterest—a platform often misunderstood as just another social media site but actually one of the most powerful tools for creatives. If you’ve been wondering whether Pinterest is worth your time, or how to make the most of it, this blog post is for you.

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How Spot Illustrations Increase Brand Awareness
Branding, Graphic Design, Illustration Shira Bentley Branding, Graphic Design, Illustration Shira Bentley

How Spot Illustrations Increase Brand Awareness

Spot illustrations are a great tool to add personality to your brand. I always include them in my branding packages, and I’ve created a lot of spot libraries for clients who wanted to improve their engagement. Today I’m going to share why brands like Google, Apple, Coca-Cola, Nike, and McDonalds use spot illustrations to boost their content.

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Mastering Cold Outreach: How to Land Your Next Big Illustration or Design Client

Mastering Cold Outreach: How to Land Your Next Big Illustration or Design Client

Whether you’re just starting out, or you’re a seasoned creative, waiting for clients to come to you simply isn’t an option. One of the most effective ways to build a network and secure illustration and design jobs is through cold outreach…

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How to Find Clients as a Designer and Illustrator: 6 Tips for Creative Professionals
Graphic Design, Illustration, Freelancing Shira Bentley Graphic Design, Illustration, Freelancing Shira Bentley

How to Find Clients as a Designer and Illustrator: 6 Tips for Creative Professionals

One of the most common questions I’m asked is “How do you find clients as a designer and illustrator”?

Ultimately it all comes down to strategy, persistence, and an ability to be your own advocate. With that in mind, here are my top 6 tips to help you attract more clients…

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Top 20 Fashion Fonts to Elevate your Branding, Logos, and Graphic Design Projects
Graphic Design, Design Tips, Branding Shira Bentley Graphic Design, Design Tips, Branding Shira Bentley

Top 20 Fashion Fonts to Elevate your Branding, Logos, and Graphic Design Projects

If you're looking for the perfect font to bring a touch of style and sophistication to your next design project, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re building a fashion brand, creating an elegant logo, or crafting eye-catching graphics, the right typeface makes all the difference…

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AI & Creativity: Will Designers and Illustrators Still Have Jobs in the Age of Artificial Design?
Small Business, Freelancing Shira Bentley Small Business, Freelancing Shira Bentley

AI & Creativity: Will Designers and Illustrators Still Have Jobs in the Age of Artificial Design?

With the rise of AI in creative industries, there’s a lot of noise about whether designers, illustrators, and artists will be replaced. And look, it’s a fair question. AI tools are evolving fast. They can generate images, compose music, write content, and even mimic artistic styles in seconds. But here’s the thing…

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Vector Graphics 101: Why They’re a Must-Have in Every Designer’s Toolkit
Design Tips, Small Business, Freelancing Shira Bentley Design Tips, Small Business, Freelancing Shira Bentley

Vector Graphics 101: Why They’re a Must-Have in Every Designer’s Toolkit

When it comes to creating smart, scalable, and professional-looking design, vector graphics are hard to beat. Whether you're designing a logo, crafting custom illustrations, or building a brand identity from scratch, vectors are the unsung heroes behind polished and flexible design. But what exactly makes them so powerful—and why do designers and clients keep coming back to them?

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The 10 Drawing Tablets for Creatives in 2024
Design Tips, Illustration, Freelancing, Graphic Design Shira Bentley Design Tips, Illustration, Freelancing, Graphic Design Shira Bentley

The 10 Drawing Tablets for Creatives in 2024

Whether you're a seasoned illustrator, a graphic designer, or someone just starting out with digital art, having the right drawing tablet can completely transform your creative process. With so many options on the market in 2024, finding the perfect fit depends on your workflow, budget, and preferred tools.

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