The dilemma and vision of the children's picture book industry in Taiwan: A perspective of illustrators

The present research investigate the difficulties that illustrator is facing through questionnairing 55 illustrators of children's picture book (cpb) and interviewing 10 famous ones of them. The results indicate that the small market of Taiwan results in high risk of domestic publication of cpb, and the publishers turned to buy copyright from other countries. The domestic illustrators therefore had less opportunities of creation and less income. The quality of illustration could be limited because part time jobs distracted the illustrators. Recently, Taiwan government is showing high interest in "culture and creative industries but ironically ignore the very important one -illustration picture book, and has no other practical plan and policy about it. The study suggests Taiwan government should have practical plans; encourage publisher to publish domestic cpb and export to international market; cooperate with civilian organization; encourage and help the illustrator improve the quality of creation; help establish Taiwan illustrator organization; annually publish the illustrator year-book; help establish commercial image (illustration) bank. The suggestions to the publishers are more respect to the profession of illustrator; provide reasonable and on time reward; possess professional artistic editor and complete publication proposal; positively require the aesthetic quality of whole book; enlarge the international market. The university should educate professional illustrator. The illustrator should keep pursuing higher professional knowledge, technique, and both possess positive and humble attitude; and have illustration agent.