Silja Goetz: Disciplined Illustration

Silja Goetz is a Madrid-based freelance illustrator, born and trained in Germany. With a client list that includes El País, The New Yorker, Fast Company, among other leading publications, Silja is a disciplined multi-tasker who has overcome hurdles to make an impact in her field.

To stay productive, Silja tries to compartmentalize her work time. She explains, "As an illustrator, I function as a one-woman-show...I do everything by myself, from the actual work process, to paperwork, research, and some self-promotion... Once my limit is reached I try not to take on more assignments...generally it's vital not to overwork until weekends and weekdays feel like the same thing. There must be breaks from time to time to keep loving this job." One key tip, she explains, is to "try to keep regular working hours, and even if there is little to do, do it before you leave the desk. And if you're uninspired, start with [anything], ideas come up while you're working."

Among the Silja's greatest challenges were acclimating to a new country and building a reputation. "My first big challenge was to get known a new country (Spain), to make contacts and learn about the way things are done here. In the first years I had over a hundred 'go-sees' with my portfolio. I found a small illustration agency in Madrid that helped me get a foot in the door. Now it's much easier, as everybody is used to checking out the website and having samples sent by email. It has been ages since my last personal visit to an editorial or agency. Nowadays it [less] important to travel around, [and more important] to spread the news on the internet."

As for conventional wisdom proved wrong. Silja recalls, "At Design school, I was told that there was no way to make a living out of illustration. Thank god that wasn't true!"

Through her work, Silja aspires to "please the eye and the mind" with her work. She explains, "getting positive feedback from my clients, or a friend who has seen my illustrations in a magazine, or from an enthusiastic blogger is lovely and keeps me going."

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