> [!NOTE] This is NOT an official Bluesky resource! > Be aware that this is a living vault, very much a work-in-progress. It is NOT meant to be a 100% accurate and finished resource. Please note that these tips are just based on my own experience. What works for me may not work for you. Feel free to send me feedback via [[Contact Debbie]] # For Art Directors and Book Designers INDEX: - [How Scholastic's Brian LaRossa Uses Bluesky](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/for-art-directors#How+Scholastic's+Brian+LaRossa+uses+Bluesky) - - Brian's suggested feeds - - Brian's suggested starter packs - [Starter Packs](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/for-art-directors#Starter+Packs) - [Feeds](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/for-art-directors#Feeds) - [Lists](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/for-art-directors#Lists) - [Looking for art talent?](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/for-art-directors#Looking+for+art+talent%3F) My own resources are mainly focused on children's book art directors and book designers. Speaking of KidLit art directors, [@BrianLaRossa](https://bsky.app/profile/brianlarossa.com) was kind enough to share how he uses Bluesky to find illustrators: ## How Scholastic's Brian LaRossa uses Bluesky "My name is [Brian LaRossa](https://bsky.app/profile/brianlarossa.com), I’m an executive art director at Scholastic working on picture books and beginning readers. I’m very happy to help Debbie with her [Unofficial Guide to Bluesky](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/bluesky) because Bluesky has become the cornerstone of my illustrator discovery process. If you’re an art director or book designer, it can help you too. Below is a short list of ways that use Bluesky:   ⁃ I always review every \#KidLitArtPostcard post every month (always the first Thursday).   ⁃ I look out for other illustration sharing hashtags like \#PortfolioDay.  ⁃ When starting work on a new picture book or beginning reader series I often post open calls ([like this](https://bsky.app/profile/brianlarossa.com/post/3kvenjo3ric2s)) which are very project specific. In addition to lowering the barriers to entry into book publishing, it is also a very efficient way for me to gather project specific samples for me to share for discussion in-house." ### Brian LaRossa's Feeds & Suggested Feeds - [UX Sky](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:o7xt7svg2xtjbb4e2xqahqqc/feed/aaacndybffemm) by [@spavel.bsky.social](https://bsky.app/profile/spavel.bsky.social) - [Design Twitter](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:n7me7kzpwvprdqvswrd5chpf/feed/designtwitter): by [@brianlarossa](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:n7me7kzpwvprdqvswrd5chpf) - [Design Criticism](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:n7me7kzpwvprdqvswrd5chpf/feed/designcriticism): by [@brianlarossa](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:n7me7kzpwvprdqvswrd5chpf) - [KidLit Art Directors](https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com/feed/art-directors): by [@debbieohi.com](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5amsebbtpuqieuxuqadmmvcv) ### Brian LaRossa's Suggested Starter Packs - [Art Directors](https://bsky.app/starter-pack/did:plc:effjhs33nq2ehulyo35up2j2/3lb336vbx222q): by [@jameelawahlgren.bsky.social](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:effjhs33nq2ehulyo35up2j2) - [KidLit/YA Art Director and Book Designers](https://bsky.app/starter-pack/debbieohi.com/3lazckxqxqd2c): by [@debbieohi.com](https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com) - [Creative Boom Starter Pack](https://bsky.app/profile/creativeboom.bsky.social) - by @[creativeboom.bsky.com](https://bsky.app/profile/creativeboom.bsky.social) > [!NOTE] Suggestions for Design & Art Direction feeds & starter packs > If you have suggestions for design and art direction-themed Starter Packs and Feeds, please [reply to Brian Larossa's call for additional resources over on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/brianlarossa.com/post/3lb3hkhs3v22z). --- # Starter Packs [Art Directors](https://bsky.app/starter-pack/did:plc:effjhs33nq2ehulyo35up2j2/3lb336vbx222q) - by [@jameelawahlgren.bsky.social](https://bsky.app/profile/jameelawahlgren.bsky.social) [KidLit/YA Art Directors & Book Designers](https://bsky.app/starter-pack/debbieohi.com/3lazckxqxqd2c) - by [@debbieohi.com](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5amsebbtpuqieuxuqadmmvcv) [Hiring Art/Design/Creative Directors](https://bsky.app/starter-pack-short/Hxoz9KX) - by @brianlarossa.com # Feeds *New* **[KidLit/YA Art Directors and Book Designers Feed](https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com/feed/art-directors)** - by @debbieohi.com, which picks up posts (no replies) from my [KidLit/YA Art Directors & Designers List](https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com/lists/3k6lme2nhbr2o). If you are a kidlit/YA art director or book designer who works with a PAL publisher, and would like to be added to my list, [please fill out this form](https://bluesky-art-directors.paperform.co/). The above replaces my old [KidLit Art Directors & Book Designers Feed](https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com/feed/aaagc7223g2gw) # Lists (Click About to see a list of users) [KidLit Art Directors & Book Designers](https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com/lists/3k6lme2nhbr2o) --- # Looking for art talent? ## Call for submissions? If you are putting out a call for artists, adding the hashtag \#CallForArtists to your post will push it to my [Call For Submissions](https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com/feed/mswl) custom feed. ## Other ways to find art talent If you're looking for children's book art talent, check out: - \#KidLitArtPostcard hashtag on the first Thursday of every month. Thanks to [Gina Perry](https://bsky.app/profile/ginaperry.bsky.social) for starting this initiative during the pandemic to help fellow artists! - \#KidLitArt hashtag - My [KidLit Illustrators Seeking Representation](https://debbieohi.link/illustrators-seeking-rep) thread. I post this every couple of months or so, inviting illustrators to post ONE sample of their art.