I have several friends on Facebook who are fellow artists and illustrators, one of which posed the question, "For all hustling in the cartooning/illustration/graphic design biz: What are you planning to do with your skills once the print industry is dead? Is the internet the ruination of a commercial art career or the bold new frontier of a post-print art industry?"
 
Now, print really isn't dead nor do I think it will completely die. It's just a lot slower than it once was and freelance illustrators are suffering. I'm not going to discuss the intricacies of why this has come about (you know why), rather how artists can move forward.

See more fantastic caricature illustration by Ashley Holt. 

The thing is, we're in a transition phase as all kinds of media figures out how to distribute itself successfully, legally and profitably on the internet. Today's entrepreneurs are taking up the challenge. As an artist with one foot in the entrepreneurial technology world, I believe the web will present a "bold new frontier" of opportunities.
 
However, you, complacent illustrator, are waiting for the opportunity to fall in your lap. Don't wait for the industry to adapt to the web. Be one who adapts it to the web. Take the future of illustration into your own hands!
 
How?
 
It's time to think of yourself as a digital illustrator. Stop dreaming of New Yorker covers. Set your sights on blogs, social networks and other media sites. Target the ever-growing pool of web apps and online services. The mobile internet is in its infancy as it encompasses proprietary platform apps, i.e. iPhone. These are where your new clients are. (More on this new client base in future posts.)
 
Currently, the internet is primarily designed by web developers, or worse, tech engineers (though many also have great illustrative talent). It shows. Look at some of your favorite websites. Are they visually appealing or just getting the job done? (Ahem, Facebook.) Is written content accompanied by illustration or stock photos? There's lots of opportunity here!
 
To adapt to the web, you're going to have to change your mindset. It's more than just thinking in RGB instead of CMYK. I'm talking about SEEING this new market and SEIZING it. I hope you're not BLAMING the internet for your drop in print gigs. You CAN be at the forefront of web illustration because it's still a very new industry. Go ahead and call yourself a "web illustrator".
 
In part two of this series, I discuss the "value of illustration". As a teaser, I'll say this: It's up to you to teach your potential internet clients the value of artwork. They do not know.

 In part three, I'll address new business models and how to make money by illustrating for the internet. Learn how to rise above the plethora of free images available.

 Part four is about why you shouldn't worry about people "stealing" your work online.

 Part five, marketing. Beyond that? Probably. There's much I'd like to share with you.  Please subscribe to Blog.CampSteve.