Claiming my creative rights: How DACS Payback supports artists
DACS member and illustrator Jonathan Woodward spoke to DACS about how the Payback scheme has benefitted him.
Tell us a little bit about you.
Formerly a Graphic Designer for 15 years, in 2015 I finally decided to combine my passions for wildlife and illustration to pursue a career as a Wildlife Illustrator. Working in a digital collage style, I have illustrated 25+ non-fiction children’s wildlife books, multiple jigsaw puzzles, illustrations for the animated section of a CBeebies TV series and have also created the artwork for a number of zoos, aquariums and natural history museums across the globe, including 80+ illustrations for the 'Ocean Wonders: Sharks' exhibit at the New York Aquarium.
How did you hear about DACS Payback?
I originally heard about DACS from my friend and artist Joy Gosney, when she explained to me that there was this organisation that collected royalties on behalf of artists and illustrators and then distributed them out with an annual payment to each claimant.
It sounded too good to be true, but I checked out the DACS website and how to claim, which couldn’t have been easier, with super clear instructions of what to do. I set up my account, logged all of the work that I'd had published to date - all of which DACS log in your account so that all you have to do each year is add any new published work. My first claim was complete and around October that year I got my first payment - perfect timing for a little boost for the kids Christmas presents!
I have been claiming with DACS now for around 6 years and over that time the process has become even more streamlined and straightforward, with DACS sending out handy reminder emails detailing what to claim for and when the deadlines are.
What difference do royalty payments make to your practice?
My payment each year isn’t huge due to the novelty element of a lot of my books (sticker books and pop-up books that you don’t typically find in libraries), but the £150-£200 I get each October is always a welcome boost.
What issues do see that you face as a creator?
As an illustrator, sometimes work can be a little feast or famine, so any additional income stream to our businesses is always most welcome. I encourage anyone that has had work published in books, magazines and featured on TV or film, to set up a DACS account and claim your portion of the royalties that DACS work tirelessly on our behalf to collect.
What advice would you give to other creators or businesses who have yet to claim Payback?
Not only do DACS collect royalties on our behalf, they also campaign about the many issues that affect artists and illustrators. One issue in particular that is of growing concern to myself and other creatives is the use of AI, how it impacts the future of our industry and how our rights are protected. It is of great reassurance to have an organisation like DACS raise these issues collectively on our behalf with governments and industries, to ensure that our voices are heard and rights protected.
The DACS website is also full of really useful information and also lists the many events they put on to help inform creatives like myself of our rights in this business we are lucky enough to be in.
Thank you DACS.
Do you have any upcoming projects?
My new book ‘The Animal Body Book’, illustrated by myself, written by Jess French and published by DK Books has just been released - all about the various aspects of animal anatomy found throughout nature. It was probably the most challenging book I’ve ever illustrated, due to the attention to detail that was required, but I always love the challenge of starting a project without a clear idea of how to do it and then figuring it out.
My next big challenge is trying to get a non-fiction wildlife book I’ve been cooking up off the ground, that I will hopefully be writing and illustrating, along with figuring out just like I did with wildlife illustration, how to combine my other passion with illustration, boxing (I have my first ever competitive fight scheduled for November!).
Instagram: jonathan_woodward_studio & jw_studio_boxing
Website: www.jonathanwoodwardstudio.com
