September 4th, 2006 | Category:
The Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) seemed to have fewer stalls this year compared to last year.
I went there looking for anything that would boost my skills and career as a freelance illustrative designer. My budget was Php3,000.
The how-to books were many, especially the how-to-draw manga kind. Children and teenagers snapped those up quickly and there were still many left. I was particularly interested in the storytelling how-to books… including one illustrating 99 ways of telling a story in comics and another one on producing graphic novels. If I remember correctly, the discounted cost was roughly 600 and 800, respectively.
They were many people loittering to read Graphic Novels both from American labels and Japanese publications. With so many good graphic novels in the major stores, the comic book stories were not hard to find. I bought one for Php100. (And coincidentally did you know that the National Book Development Board calls graphic novels : BOOMICS? A mix between Books and Comics.)
Hard-to-find books were those strictly on character design. I saw one that was on showcase (not for sale) at roughly Php3,500. It included explanations on how muscles, bones, and diagrams on movements of various animals. Out in stores later this year or by 2007. Also another one with a more Disney feel with a discussion on color design for character quite suitable for young artists at around Php1,500
Even harder to find were books regarding marketing oneself as an artist and pricing one’s work.
A 2004 guide to publications in the US was for sale at around Php2,000 – containing submission requirements, payment info, and contact information of numerous publications. Too out-of-date for the price though.
Books on architecture, interior design, and photography were overwhelming. Graphic design books followed closely (the Idea Index was selling for 800 – the price I bought it when there was no sale), and then books on 3D modelling and animation. But while there were only a few books on digital painting (one being the fairly oldJapanese Comickers book and one one Fantasy art) there were recent magazines selling for around Php860 on Digital Sci-Fi and Fantasy work – which I promptly bought (came with a DVD and another issue of it!).
Other popular magazines were selling for extremely discounted rates and were even selling in bundled deals. So printed references for people, automobiles, and architecture were abundant and cheap.
The sheer volume of children’s books exceeded all other illustrated books. It’s true every year of the fair.
All in all I didn’t spend as much as I would have. Nonetheless, I believe I got really good deals on the magazines and on the graphic novel. Bookfair prices appear to be discounted, but you still have to use your own mind to judge whether or not the price is right.
BUT besides the books, the MIBF is a good time to market oneself as an illustrator. Going around, shaking hands, and passing out catalogues of Ang-INK to publishers allowed me to hand out my own card as well. Here’s looking forward to the next one!
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