FAQ

How do I hire an illustrator?

The first step is the most important one, because the initial focus is on understanding the problem at hand. That’s why, after you first contact us, we’ll discuss your goals, the timeline, the planned media, and the budget with you. We know the people behind the illustrations and can determine which of our experts is the best fit for your project. We serve as the bridge between an initial rough concept and the professional final result. To give us a first impression of your project before our meeting, simply use our Request Form.

Do I work directly with the illustrator?

Yes! We agree on the terms and ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes from the start of the project. Direct communication between the artist and the client is standard practice in our creative work. This keeps feedback loops short and maximizes creative output. If anything changes during the briefing, we can make adjustments without delaying production.

How much does an illustration cost, and how long does it take?

We work on a wide variety of projects, ranging from a small, single illustration to a complete series of different motifs and formats. This could be a simple spot for €300 that appears once in a magazine and takes only a few hours to complete. Or a 3D infographic for €5,000, which was coordinated with scientists over several days to be presented to medical professionals at a conference. Extensive projects, on the other hand, often take longer than three weeks and require clearly defined feedback loops. For example, 15 humorous scenes that guide users through the app of a popular software brand, or a series of branding illustrations in different sizes that give a company a distinctive identity across its corporate channels, such as its website, social media, and print publications.
In addition to the design and illustration work, the price also includes the necessary usage rights. These are based on the scope of the media used, the image sizes, the territories, the exclusivity, and the usage period. We establish the details during the briefing and ensure that you receive exactly the right license—for fair prices tailored to your needs.

Can I also license existing illustrations?

That depends on the current licensing terms for the illustration in question. Typically, personal works are available for further use, while artwork from previous campaigns was subject to exclusive rights. We can conduct the necessary research for any illustration from our portfolio that catches your eye.

Can AI-generated images serve as a reference in a briefing?

AI-generated images are a useful tool for quickly visualizing a desired mood. However, they can only imitate a particular style. A professional commission therefore relies on the working methods and perspective of a human artist, who uses their ideas and cultural background to create a unique, original work. This is only possible if the briefing is tailored to the chosen illustrator and uses moods from their portfolio as a reference. Then a new, original artwork can be created that clearly stands out from others.

Why Sepia?

We represent people from different European countries with very diverse lifestyles and ideas. It is precisely this diversity that matters to us, because our clients and projects are diverse as well! On our website, we can give you a glimpse into our portfolios. But it’s only through a personal conversation with you that we can determine who’s the best fit for your project and recommend exactly the right person. From your initial inquiry through to invoicing, you’ll have a permanent contact person. No website can do that—but we can!