While attendance was low – and Friday was skewed due to the free admission – I think with the right nurturing it could become a good alternate convention.  I’d like to see them branch out a bit more to stand out against Youmacon, rather than being two of the same.  Perhaps what Reactor was supposed to be?  I really enjoyed the first 2 years at Reactor (before it became frat-con) and was disappointed it didn’t continue as it was conceived.

I was particularly pleased with how much the staff wanted input from the Artist’s on how to change/improve for next year.  They recognized and admitted faults and were genuinely open to criticism and comments.

I do believe we’ll be keeping an eye out for next year’s dates and making plans to attend again.

For part 2  I’d like to go over some of the things that AA staff can do (or has done in the past that stuck with me) to really make the experience that much greater for the artists.

Registration and check-in – Let me register everything together – badge(s) and table(s).  Preferably there should be a package deal so I am not forced to register early for badges before knowing if I have a table.  Unfortunately I cannot go to nearly as many conventions if I’m not selling, and having to get locked into a badge ahead of time is a turnoff.

Check-in should be the day before if at all possible.  Otherwise, at least an hour or two before opening so I have time to settle and set up before it opens to the public.  I actually prefer assigned seating to first come.  There’s nothing worse than having to elbow someone out of the way, or make someone move after they’re set up because of an electrical outlet placement.  Get your tables laid out, and make sure everyone’s needs are accommodated.  Very few alley’s do not assign anymore, as it is more trouble to deal with fallout.  Be firm!  A layout has more benefit to everyone.

Layout, layout, layout – No matter how long or short the convention, eventually your butt starts to go numb and you start feeling claustrophobic.  Artists are there to be AT our table to sell our art, and if you make sure there is enough space between the table and the wall and a gap between every 2-3 tables for someone to get out for the occasional potty/water/food break it makes life so much better.  Believe it or not, this has been overlooked at some cons.

Speaking of…
Water/Food – Not all conventions have the luxury of staff to do so but man do I appreciate when someone is able to come by and offer to do a “food run”.  Bottles of water, the generic cheese pizza (ie a bunch were ordered and someone brings some by the AA).  At the very least – making it well known where the drinking fountains/closest food or snacks/restrooms are in relation to the Alley is awesome.

Advertising – Many folks have some sort of website these days, whether it’s a deviant art account, a full website setup, or just facebook/flickr/twitter.  Listing prominently on the convention site who is coming and how to find out about them before hand (or get in touch after) makes a really big difference.  It increases the odds for commissions (and allows for the potential of more commissions than you could do at the con), generally gets people interested in the AA, and gives an easy way to follow up if there’s any problems/praise afterwords.

Trash – No, don’t give me trash, give me a place to put it.  Easily accessible, frequently monitored/emptied, and enough to accommodate the number of people in AA and attendees passing through.

Attention – Come acknowledge me!  Please take a minute to come by and introduce yourself – odds are I’ve only talked to you online and sometimes not even that (most cons have just a form and never need to talk one on one with the DH) and I’d love if you stopped by, said hello, and made sure things are going well.  It shows you’re paying attention to the Alley, the people in it, and are truly open to feedback…

Feedback! -  Paper survey, online forum post, anonymous form – give me some way to give all my criticism and happy thoughts.

Come see us at Anime Detroit from Aug 13-15 at The MET of Troy hotel in Troy, MI.

We’ll be in the Artist’s Alley all weekend selling our unique and custom made buttons, along with a running display of Mahjong House.

If you would like to preorder any buttons – please contact me.

These are some of the things that I, as an artist and “business person”, have … wait. I need to cover something first. I frequently hear that if you’re in AA you shouldn’t be running a business because that’s what the Dealer’s Room is for. This is a lame argument from people who aren’t getting enough traffic/revenue/positive feedback at their table. That’s my opinion. Deal.

Artist’s Alley exists to PROMOTE and ELEVATE the artist and their work. Presumably, most artists would eventually like to get somewhere with that – be it independently published or tapped to do artwork for a major studio. To get to that point (and notice I said “most” artists – it’s fine if you’re doing this just because you like to draw and have no greater goals) you need to set up a serious business model.

Your art needs to be presented well. You need to have a good solid pricing structure. You need business cards, a web presence for your portfolio, proper tracking of profit and overhead, a name and preferably a good logo. You need to BE professional to BECOME a professional.

Dirk Tiede is a great example of this (plus he’s just a nice guy with a very cool web comic) – his table is very nicely put together – he’s got a clear, easy to navigate website – and he’s on book 3 in his storyline. His books are not through a major retailer – he generates the money needed for a printing by presales. If he were forced into a dealer’s booth, even at the lowest tier, I don’t think he’d manage nearly so many appearances – budget just would not permit.

Sadly, that would mean I wouldn’t have met him, and likely wouldn’t have found his comic let alone own all three books. (I’m a fan, but in no way getting compensated for this little promotion. In fact, I doubt he knows I HAVE a blog. )

He is first and foremost an ARTIST. An artist that is doing well, and rightly so. However, his stuff would be largely overlooked and overwhelmed by the dealer’s booths with their 10 foot tall mobile store fronts. He is and should be in AA when he goes to conventions.

Now, someone who is employed and represented by a company like VIZ, would most likely have their booth costs absorbed by the company as promotional budget. They are often in the Dealer’s Room (if they personally have a booth at all) because they are working on a larger scale than your standard (even well established) artist.

I will grant you this distinction is grey, and often changing, and even subject to variation just between conventions. Something like Comic Con where no matter what booth you have or where you’re at you are fighting for attention – it’s almost a moot point. Artist’s and Dealer’s are almost indistinguishably blurred.

So what about me? Some don’t even think I’m an artist. I don’t draw… okay, I do a mean squirrel, and a pretty good goat head in top hat and monocle (no, really, it was a commission), but I don’t do any traditional drawing. I don’t sell prints. I sell buttons at my table. AWESOME buttons, but to some they’re just buttons.

Personally I think I’m different (and I won’t get into art vs crafts) because there is still unique art/design going into all my buttons. I spend hours tweaking and perfecting each one to get the look I want. Not to mention, each one is made on site. I don’t bring anything pre-assembled. Secondly, I offer custom buttons. In the dealer’s room, I don’t think I could offer that at all. The personal commissions that require lengthy interaction and quiet conversation. Like most artists – if pressed I’d have to stop attending conventions before I could afford a Dealer’s booth.

That would make me sad – and I’d like to think it would upset my customers too. The people who come up year after year, pointing out which one’s they’ve bought before that are pinned to their bag/hat/jacket. The stories of how a friend nearly stole one because it was so cool, or started a conversation between strangers. My art is always on display – and I like that aspect.

To keep going to all the conventions I do – some several hours drive, some several nights stay in hotels – requires a tight monitoring of my finances. I have to at least break even if I’m going to keep doing what I do. My way isn’t the only way, and I do have FUN at the convention. I certainly didn’t break even my first, second, or even third year. It’s been a long time developing my business. Expanding my designs, constantly rotating new ones in, offering new options, doing wholesale products on my website and to other artists. It’s work! But I love it.

So, you could come away from this post as just a lengthy way of justifying my existence in AA – but truly I hope if you thought otherwise, that you’ve reconsidered just what AA is and the great mix of “artists” of all mediums that exist there.

Garasunoshicon was really good. We were surprised by the amount of traffic for a college convention, and pleased with our table location (windows! light! yay!). We met new friends (Hi Kristie – http://www.insanitycentral.org/ ) and ran into several AA buddies (man are we all on the same con circuit or what?).

I was really glad to see how clean everyone kept the place too. Both college campus staff and congoers.

AA Staff was very attentive to everyone, and constantly checking in or making sure we knew how to find them.

The pizza was a good price, and pretty tasty.

The volleyball tournament on the first day was amusing – I did get a few customers from it though!

All in all, if they’ll have us, we’d love to return next year.

It was down to hours before to decide if we’d be able to go, since I had had an injury just days prior. On crutches and less than comfortable tucked onto a folding chair you made it worth the trip. Thank you to everyone that came by, and for all the well wishes.

Thanks to Brian as always for his understanding, help, and inspiration!

NEXT!

Our next convention will be GarasuNoShiCon in Perrysburg, OH from July 17 to 18th. Admission is free and I hear they have a FULL artist’s alley. All the tables are claimed, so if you’re in the area come on by and there should be lots of good stuff to see.

I had a fantastic time despite a few hiccups (fire evacuation!), and it was wonderful seeing everyone. We had a fair number of cosplayers (and just people wanting a souvenir) come by for their photo buttons. Next year I promise we’ll have a good stock of colors for the decorative rings so no one misses out!

There was a great response and feedback for MahJong House as well. Thank you to everyone who not only purchased it, but came by to give it a test drive. Your feedback only makes it better!

Mitsuwa was awesome, I finally got to try the dim sum shop and had some steamed buns. They were very tasty, and I can see why they are either busy or sold out when I’m there.

DisjointedImages will once again be making a grand appearance to provide you with a variety of funny-because-it’s-true buttons for all kinds of fandoms.

New this year is our active use of our Twitter feed – keep an eye on it for random specials and codes.

I’ve worked hard to have lots of new designs, and as always will have the cosplay photo setup available.

Stop by!

Now that the con circuit season is about to get in full swing here at Disjointed Images (ACEN in 29 days!) we’re focusing on what new designs to have on display.

I’ve got some great ones already in the works, but as always, you’ll have to come find us to see them.

Past designs are always found on our shop.

We also now have HEARTS for the photo buttons in red and silver! These work just like the colored rings, only in a heart shape (with an open center for the picture).

If you’ve got any requests or suggestions please post them in the comments, and we look forward to meeting you soon!

Not long after we came back from our honeymoon, it was time to get everything together for Youmacon. It was a great weekend, lots of our fan/customers coming by to see the new designs, and a few new people too. I got to draw a squirrel, a goat with a monocle, a wolf, and will forever be haunted by the epic man nipples. (You had to be there…)

We had an even greater response to the current release of the game, which made me float with happiness. Thank you to everyone who tried, commented, and (yay!) bought a copy!

As Chris mentioned, the next release will be Linux, and shortly after that we will start putting out some of the expanded rewards and tiles.

I am also oh so excited to announce that I have been accepted on staff for ACEN. I will be assisting with both the website and Artist’s Alley. This delights me to no end; as many of you know, I am a people pleaser, and to be part of the workings the make ACEN what it is for so many just really makes me smile.

Of course, this doesn’t give me any slack on keeping you guys entertained with more humorous buttons each year, and fret not, as I am hard at work with quite a few new designs.

Please look for us next at Animarathon in Ohio.