“A good agent should be a manager, a therapist, a problem solver and a friend.”

I’ve been with my agents for more than 10 years, and I don’t have experience of working with other agents, so I have quite a narrow view on the subject. But I can compare it to music labels; ‘Do you want to sign with an R’n’B label, funk rock, folk?’ It’s quite similar with agents: know who you are and then you’ll know your place.

The obvious advantage of signing with an agency is the admin side, so the artist no longer needs to deal with clients and complex contracts. More importantly, a good agent should be a manager, a therapist, a problem solver and a friend.

When considering whether to sign with an agency, the first thing to look for is certainly the chemistry between the agent and the illustrator. You need to find an agent that fits your style of work and your approach. Often you can see the character and style of projects and assignments that agents have produced, and this can help you understand if an agency is the right place for you.

Noma Bar is an Israeli-born, London-based designer, illustrator and artist represented by Dutch Uncle. He has published three books, created over 100 magazine covers and collaborated with clients includingThe Observer, The Economist and Wallpaper*, BBC and Random House.