Illustrators Organization

The Illustratoren Organisation e.V. (IO) is the only professional association for illustrators in Germany. Founded in 2002 in Hamburg, it represents more than 2,500 professionally active illustrators from the German-speaking region (as of May 2022). The association is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main and operates as a registered voluntary association (eingetragener Verein). The IO's mission is to secure appropriate remuneration for illustrative work, promote social respect for creative activity, and protect the interests of authors. It supports its members in all artistic, legal, and economic questions related to their professional practice. Beyond advising members, the IO serves as a point of contact for representatives from politics and society and conducts negotiations with collecting societies and rights-holder associations. Membership is open to anyone who aims to earn the majority of their income from professional work as an illustrator, regardless of their field of illustration or national borders. Junior illustrators and career changers at the start of their careers are also welcome. The IO's website presents the work of its members and is described as the largest online portfolio of professionally active German-speaking illustrators. The IO supports independent regional groups in Augsburg, Berlin, Bocholt, Bremen, Darmstadt, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Fürth, Hamburg, Hannover, Heidelberg/Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Köln/Bonn, Mainz/Wiesbaden, München, Münster, Nürnberg, Potsdam, Stuttgart, as well as in Vienna, Austria, and Zurich, Switzerland. The association is a member of the Initiative Urheberrecht, the Deutscher Designtag e.V., the Spitzenverband Deutscher Kulturrat, and the European Illustrators Forum (EIF). It also represents its members' interests on the administrative board of the Verwertungsgesellschaft Bild-Kunst and on the advisory board of the Künstlersozialkasse. The IO's central organ is the members' assembly, which is convened annually to discuss market developments and the association's direction. The board consists of five members plus a treasurer and a secretary; elections are held every two years at the annual members' assembly. As of May 2022, the chairperson is Jürgen Gawron, an illustrator and graphic designer from Munich. The office is located in Frankfurt am Main, and the managing director is Stefanie Weiffenbach. The IO offers a range of services to its members, including legal advice, contract review, tax advice, model contracts, fee calculators, professional liability insurance, and seminars. It also publishes guides on topics such as children's books and illustration as a profession, and provides resources on copyright, usage rights, and general terms and conditions for illustrators. The association maintains an online shop, a forum, and a media library, and organizes regulars' tables, trade fair appearances, and mentoring programs.

The Illustratoren Organisation e.V. (IO) was founded in 2002 in Hamburg as a professional association for illustrators in Germany. It emerged as a response to the need for a dedicated representative body for the professional interests of illustrators, who often work as solo self-employed individuals. The association was established by illustrators who recognized the importance of mutual support and collective action. From its founding, the IO aimed to strengthen the individual illustrator, advocate for appropriate remuneration, and protect the interests of authors. Over the years, it has grown into a strong community representing more than 2,500 professionally active illustrators from the German-speaking region (as of May 2022). The association's website has become the largest online portfolio of professionally active German-speaking illustrators. The IO has established itself as a point of contact for politics and society, engaging in political work and negotiations with collecting societies and rights-holder associations. It supports independent regional groups across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, fostering local networking and exchange among illustrators. The association is a member of several umbrella organizations, including the Initiative Urheberrecht, the Deutscher Designtag e.V., the Spitzenverband Deutscher Kulturrat, and the European Illustrators Forum (EIF). It also represents its members' interests on the administrative board of the Verwertungsgesellschaft Bild-Kunst and on the advisory board of the Künstlersozialkasse. The IO's governance structure includes a members' assembly as the central organ, which meets annually. The board, consisting of five members plus a treasurer and a secretary, is elected every two years. As of May 2022, the chairperson is Jürgen Gawron, and the managing director is Stefanie Weiffenbach. The office is located in Frankfurt am Main. In recent years, the IO has expanded its services to include legal advice, contract review, tax advice, model contracts, fee calculators, professional liability insurance, and seminars. It has also developed resources on emerging topics such as generative AI and mental health, reflecting its commitment to addressing the evolving needs of its members.

• 2022

  As of May 2022, represents over 2,500 professional illustrators from the German-speaking region.

• 2022

  Jürgen Gawron becomes chairperson in May 2022.

• 2002

  Founded in Hamburg as a professional association for illustrators in Germany.

The only professional association for illustrators in Germany, advocating for fair remuneration, copyright protection, and professional recognition.

• Membership

  Open to professional illustrators who earn the majority of their income from illustration, regardless of field or national borders.

• Legal advice and contract review

  Support with copyright, usage rights, and contract issues.

• Tax advisory services

  Guidance on turnover and tax law for illustrators.

• Model contracts and templates

  Standard contracts and templates for illustrators.

• Fee calculators

  Tools such as Honorarwerk, hourly rate calculator, and usage rights calculator.

• Professional liability insurance

  Insurance solutions for professional practice.

• Seminars and mentoring

  Training and mentoring for professional development.

• Online portfolio

  The largest online portfolio of professionally active German-speaking illustrators.

• Online shop

  Shop for members and interested parties.

• IO forum

  Community exchange platform for members.

• Media library

  Resource library for members.

1. 1Startseite - Illustratoren Organisation e.V.illustratoren-organisation.de
2. 2Mitglied werden - Illustratoren Organisation e.V.illustratoren-organisation.de
3. 3Wir sind die IO - Illustratoren Organisation e.V.illustratoren-organisation.de
4. 4Mitgliedsantrag - Illustratoren Organisation e.V.illustratoren-organisation.de
5. 5Illustratoren Organisation - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
6. 6Illustrators Organization - Wikidatawikidata.org