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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Paging through the January 3, 2018 issue of <\/span>Radio World<\/span><\/i>, a bunch of cartoons jump off the page and caught my eye. \u00a0My first thought was, \u201cThis guy\u2019s style reminds me a lot of Dan Rosandich\u2019s work. \u00a0A glance at the articles byline told me why: \u00a0the cartoons were drawn by Rosandich and used to illustrate an article he had written about how a cartoonist can make a living in the music and radio biz. \u00a0Knowing that he is a 1976 Ontonagon Area Schools graduate, I contacted him and received his permission to reprint the article for our listeners and readers. \u00a0The full title is <\/span>\u201cA Cartoonist\u2019s Adventures in Radio – You might say this is the original \u201cvisual radio\u201d concept. \u00a0<\/span><\/i>More examples of Dan\u2019s work can be viewed at https:\/\/danscartoons.com and we thank him for granting us permission to reprint his article here:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What in the world is \u201cradio illustration,\u201d you ask? \u00a0Who can listen to images like illustrations and cartoons? \u00a0Well, it\u2019s not quite that simple. \u00a0The best explanation is looking at it from the perspective of the cartoonist!<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I began drawing cartoons and funny illustrations when I was a little kid. \u00a0It was an obsession that has carried on into my adulthood. \u00a0<\/span>Radio World<\/span><\/i> asked me to share some of my work and the story behind it.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In the early 1970s, when the CB radio craze was rising in popularity, I placed a small classified ad in a trade publication. \u00a0<\/span>S-9 Magazine<\/span><\/i> was devoted to citizen band radio enthusiasts across the United STates and Canada. \u00a0With knowledge in the area of CB and an interest in cartooning, I decided to offer to create \u201ccustom QSL cards.\u201d \u00a0(As many <\/span>Radio World<\/span><\/i> readers will know, QSL is a radio enthusiast\u2019s calling card of sorts. \u00a0They\u2019re a postcard-sized with the user\u2019s call letters, their preferred channel they hang out at and of course, their \u201chandle\u201d. \u00a0Even radio broadcasters sometimes have them!)<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In that ad, I offered to do custom cartoons for CB enthusiasts\u2019 QSL cards, and those interested would send a particular amount of money (either by check, cash, or money order). \u00a0The ad came out, and before long, a stream of envelopes started arriving at my address with money and people\u2019s ideas for their cards! \u00a0It was my way of being vindicated as an artist. \u00a0I had arrived!<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Whatever the amount was, in those days, it wasn\u2019t much, but my neighbor had worked at a local bank and one day asked me, \u201cDan, where are you getting all of these Canadian $10 bills?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I re-ran that ad a few times until things slowed down, but this experience later helped me to realize my desire to become a full-time cartoonist.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Not long afterward, I started to create what is known as \u201cgag cartoons\u201d in the magazine publishing business. \u00a0You\u2019ve seen them – those small illustrated jokes to which publications, trade journals and even magazines like<\/span> Saturday Evening Post<\/span><\/i> (yes, it is still around – ed) might devote entire back pages in certain issues.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I dove full speed ahead into the freelance cartooning business and noticed after a few years that I\u2019d acquired a relatively steady stable of clients who loved my work, and I drew a lot of gag panels for many of them. \u00a0After many years in the freelance illustration business, along came digital technology. \u00a0I began studying HTML, and web design and launched an online portfolio, offering my illustration services. \u00a0Since then, I\u2019ve illustrated a lot of ham operator radio content, as well as radio broadcast cartoons, logos, and illustrations.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0With the help of Adobe Photoshop editing software, I can accommodate clients in their professional graphics needs, whether it\u2019s a special promotional banner, logo, or other character cartoons needed to promote a station or broadcaster\u2019s event or station. \u00a0Artwork can be formatted in specific sizes, color enhancements and more.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I recently worked with KCYS (FM) in Astoria, Ore., which needed a specific banner to promote their station. \u00a0The image they needed was for a downloadable app; \u00a0the graphic appears as an introductory image for this app, which users can download to listen to their station anywhere.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0HOW IT WORKS – Other illustrators may have their own processes but here\u2019s how it works for me. \u00a0A station owner contacts me with a concept or idea; \u00a0I create a rough sketch based on that information. \u00a0The more information supplied, the better; \u00a0specifics help me to create a more detailed illustration of the cartoon needed. \u00a0I send that rough sketch for the station owner\u2019s (or general manager\u2019s) review; \u00a0they reply with feedback about what needs to be changed or modified, prior to formatting the final acceptable art into a specific format.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0JPEG files work best for apps or web, while TIFF format works best for print or hard copy. \u00a0As for pricing these kinds of cartoons, there is no universal pricing; \u00a0every need or usage applied to a custom cartoon is different. \u00a0I recommend you request a specific quote and specify how the artwork will be used. \u00a0One station executive may want a cartoon for use on a downloadable app, another may want a detailed logo-type of cartoon to use on a website, social media, in print advertising, or on apparel. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My general rule of thumb is \u201cthe greater the usage applied to an image, the greater the intrinsic value to that work,\u201d \u00a0so higher fees are applied to artwork with a greater usage applied to it. \u00a0Other uses for radio station cartoon images include:<\/span><\/p>\n > Station calendars > Posters to promote an event or gathering > Social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) \u00a0> Downloadable apps for listeners > Apparel (T-shirts, caps and coasters) \u00a0>Business stationary > Your company or station\u2019s QSL card > Customized greeting cards (Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter, etc.) > Coloring books for children > Banners for use in email promotions. \u00a0This is a small list, but you get the idea: \u00a0Custom illustration makes a point and can have an impact with your listeners.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Again, we thank Dan for allowing us to reprint his article here. \u00a0We are always proud to salute Ontonagon County grads \u00a0and are especially proud of those who have gone on to work in the fields of radio, music recording, and in Dan\u2019s case, graphic arts. \u00a0Besides the custom work Dan describes in the <\/span>Radio World <\/span><\/i>article, he has had his work published in countless magazines and newspapers..<\/span><\/p>\n Examples of Dan’s work can be found at\u00a0https:\/\/danscartoons.com<\/p>\n Top Piece Video – Okay, if Alley Oop<\/em> by the Hollywood Argyles doesn’t say ‘Cartoon’ – what does?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n