Artists' Alley Trading Cards

What is this activity?
Artists can make an Artists' Alley Trading Card with their art, in any fashion or medium that they desire, to trade with other artists. It's not a required activity -- it's just for fun, but feel free to participate. This artist's activity started at Anime Boston with the intent to let other conventions continue the idea.

Can I join too?
Anyone can join this activity as long as they're an artist. It's easier for those who are in the Artists' Alley to do it since we will keep a binder of demo cards and a location number to go with them, but those of you who aren't in the alley can look in the binder and take your own cards straight to the artists you are interested in.

Card Specifications:

• SIZE: Cards should be traditional sized trading cards: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2". Remember that if you're going to laminate them, your laminate will then need to be this size and the art will be smaller. Also note that if you use card sleeves, your demo will not need one since it will be going in a sheet of card sleeves in a binder.
• BACKING/FORMAT: It is up to the artist whether they choose to do one-sided or two-sided cards. Artists can also decide whether or not the cards are laminated or placed in card sleeves or even what paper they'd like to use. (We recommend using a heavy paper.)
• TEXT: All cards must have the "AATC 2008" on it somewhere. This designates it as a trading card only for artists for this year. This also allows it to be used at other cons if you have leftovers, but you can put the convention name on it if you want.
• QUANTITIES: There are no quantity limitations. This is up to the artist. Some will do 10 different designs of 1 card each. Some may do 2 designs of 10 cards each. Some may do 6 designs with 20 cards each, numbered and signed to make each card unique despite using the same art. There is no wrong answer.

How do I participate?

• Demo Card Drop Off: Show up to the con with your cards. Leave a demo card in an envelope with your table number written on it at the Artists' Alley Info Desk when you check in. A staff member will then place it into a binder for folks to look through throughout the convention.
• Multiple Artists: Multiple artists from the same table can participate. We just need to designate some way for those looking through the book to know that there is more then one artist participating from that table.
• Getting Around to Trading: When you've got a free moment, and the Artists' Alley is starting to look like all the artists (or most of them) have arrived, feel free to take a minute and come back to look at the binder and see if there's anything you like. Note the tables they are at, grab your cards, and have fun!
• Demo Card Pick Up: At the end of the con, remember to pick up your demo cards as PAC is unable to return individual cards that haven't been picked up. If you don't need them, don't worry about them. If you want them back, you'll need to remember to pick them up on your way out or as you're packing up at the end of the weekend.
• Online Trades: We will not be doing online trades. Trades are only done in person (though you can arrange to meet so-and-so at such-and-such a time). What this is, is a chance for folks to preview your cards and get an idea before the con with whom you'd like to trade with. The benefit of this is multiple:
  1. Inspiration as we all get psyched for the con
  2. Help with the possible crowding issue as folks try to gather around the info desk to check out the cards.
  3. Allow people to see in advance how many folks are interested in participating so that artists can adjust our number of designs or quantity of cards.

Type of Artwork Allowed:
Most artists would prefer to see original work, but we won't be disallowing the use of fanart. We're also not going to restrict the usage of previously created art either. Unfortunately, a lot of us just don't have the time to work on new pieces, especially if you see little benefit to yourself. If you want to take an existing piece for an AATC and crop it in, possibly alter it a little digitally or something, that is acceptable.

More Artists' Alley information...