Name: Holly Nichols
Age: 26
Job Title: Fashion Illustrator and Business Owner
College Name/ Major: Endicott College, BFA in Studio Art
Website: hnicholsillustration.com
Twitter: @HNIllustration
Instagram: @hnicholsillustration
Holly Nichols is only 26, but in the few years since her graduation from Endicott College she has established her own empire! She merged her love of fashion and art to become an internationally known fashion illustrator. She sells her original designs through her Etsy shop which has been favorited by almost 8,000 users. She even prints all of her designs in her own studio located just south of Boston, MA. Her Instagram may have 571,000 followers, but it has been an arduous journey to get to where she is now.
How did you get your business started? Was it harder than you thought it would be?
HN: My business started as an accident! When I graduated in 2013, I started an Instagram account as a way to archive my sketches, and the account grew exponentially. Before I knew it, I had a business on my hands. I think the most difficult part has been keeping up with the growth (especially since I’m a one-woman show). Because the business was a bit unexpected, I had to implement a business strategy and build a system of support backwards a bit.
What does your current job entail? What would be a typical day?
HN: A typical day includes packing orders, shipping them, working on deadlines, communicating with clients. While I’m waiting for feedback from any corporate assignment, I do administrative work like emails, bookkeeping, checking shipments, and of course occasionally cutting magazines up to make myself some inspiration boards. Everyone needs some inspiration.
Do you work a regular work week, such as 9-5 hours?
HN: Yes, I do. I work even more most weeks. I work anywhere from 55 hours to nonstop. It doesn’t stop after I leave the studio. I have the ability to work from anywhere. My work is portable. I use my iPad Pro to sketch and do work on it, so even when I’m at home I have the same abilities to work as I do when I’m in the studio.
What is the best part of your job?
HN: I like being able to work for myself [she laughs] and the opportunities that I get to meet interesting people and travel often. On the weekends that’s when I create art for myself. The art for myself, that I create for fun, is typically what ends up being sold in my store. Even though it’s my job it’s something I enjoy and I can make it my own.
Did you have any previous jobs or internships that helped you in this field?
HN: A bit, but not too much. I interned for a high-end interior design firm, which gave me experience in interacting with clients in the luxury industry.
What degree(s), coursework, and skills are most helpful to persons entering this field?
HN: I have a BFA in studio art from Endicott. I think for me it was hard because it’s a new job so there is no defined job for a fashion illustrator so I’m learning it myself. I think figure drawing would help people a lot if they’re interested in drawing fashion sketches. I’d also recommend definitely taking a business course because when I went to school it was all geared around art and how to draw, but they never really taught you how to run your own business.
What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you now know?
HN: I wish I knew it would become as saturated as it did. There have been many fashion illustrators, but luckily I was on the earlier end of the “social media” craze of fashion illustration. I also wish I had protected my art better before I started posting it online. I’ve dealt with a lot of theft and copyright infringement because I didn’t properly protect my work. People steal it quite often and there’s not too much I can do other than move forward and protect it better than I did in the past.
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
HN: Yes, a lot. I wish I could change my business name to just my own name. It’s hard and long to write out “H Nichols Illustrations” every time and by shortening it to just my name it would make my brand stronger. My business got started before it was ready and I realized that I should’ve put more support in place before I grew my business. I grew before I had the resources I needed. I would’ve organized a support system better. And I definitely would’ve saved more of my art materials from college.
Are there any ethical issues you’ve encountered through this job or field?
HN: Copyright…it’s such a pain in the neck. I’ve encountered a lot of other artists who will try to replicate you. It’s hard to defend your work in a way that’s respectable to them. You have to learn how and when to tackle it as a problem versus letting it go. And just dealing with all of the copyright problems it takes a lot of energy out of you.
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
HN: There have been a few, but a stand out was the first time I was hired to sketch at NYFW (New York Fashion Week). I’ve always admired the runway shows from home, so it was really surreal being in that environment in real life.
What advice would you give a college student with similar aspirations?
HN: Sketch every day, register your copyright, and tune out what your competition is doing and focus on flourishing as a creative!
To purchase any prints check out Holly’s Etsy shop at hnillustration.etsy.com