How Do You Find Artistic Collaborators?

[Palanan]

I have a number of projects which are partially developed, but which can’t go any further without collaborating with someone with a different set of abilities. Lyrics that need a singer; a story concept that needs a graphic artist; and so on.

How do people find other artists in other fields to collaborate with?

[Kid Jake]

You pay them or otherwise build a mutually beneficial relationship with them before asking them to collaborate.

The aspiring singer probably has his own lyrics; the up and coming artist probably has his own comic idea; etc... Unless you have a specialized talent of your own, that they can't replicate, you're going to have to do something to make your project worth their time.

Personally, marrying my comic artist worked for me; but results may vary.

[Peelee]

You pay them or otherwise build a mutually beneficial relationship with them before asking them to collaborate.

The aspiring singer probably has his own lyrics; the up and coming artist probably has his own comic idea; etc... Unless you have a specialized talent of your own, that they can't replicate, you're going to have to do something to make your project worth their time.

Personally, marrying my comic artist worked for me; but results may vary.

Aye. Marrying Kid Jake's comic artist may well be worth a shot.

[Razade]

I've been friends with the artist for my table top stuff for almost two decades, which helped. Otherwise what the others have said. You have to pay and build up mutual exchange on projects.

[Imbalance]

I'm raising my own. Probly not the best route for everybody. Would've been cheaper and less time consuming to have hired out or even married Kid Jake's comic artist earlier on, but I knew it would be an ongoing project, so...

[Aedilred]

I may be wrong, but I got the impression that the OP was wondering how to find these other artists at all rather than how to strike up a collaborative relationship with them when you've found them. "Pay them" and "marry them" are perhaps useful answers for the latter but not so much for the former.

[Palanan]

Originally Posted by Aedilred
…I got the impression that the OP was wondering how to find these other artists at all rather than how to strike up a collaborative relationship with them when you've found them.

Exactly this, thank you. I’m not sure how to find them in the first place.

[Gallowglass]

Well I can't really speak to vocal artists, but for graphic artist the current normalized system is to troll deviantart, look for an artist that matches your needs that advertises themselves as open to collaboration, then contact them.

Though, bear in mind, your chances of finding someone who wants to "collaborate" (meaning, work without pay until/if the project ends up making money) are pretty slim. You'll have more luck finding someone to pay to do the work.

[Razade]

Exactly this, thank you. I’m not sure how to find them in the first place.

Twitter and other social media sites are big. Patreon and other places like that as well. There are websites curating peoples employment status.

[Christopher K.]

Mostly it's a matter of keeping your awareness up - When I'm on Twitter, I watch for artists whose styles I like and interact with them regularly to see if we'd work well together. I also had the benefit of going to a school of game developers, so sometimes I'll outright ask college buddies if they know someone who can do [X].

That said, if you aren't incredibly close friends(and often even then if you truly respect their work), money will likely enter the equation for a project. It's exceptionally rare that two or more people are passionate enough about an idea for money to not be a consideration.