Standing out from the crowd

Professional PracticeCDME3030Uni of WorcesterOnline Lecture06.11.2014

PressPausePlay film

"The digital revolution of the last decade has unleashed creativity and talent in an unprecedented way, with unlimited opportunities. But does democratized culture mean better art or is true talent instead drowned out?”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF5G_G9DPKwLINK:

“There’s never been a more exciting and more frightening time to be an artist”

Context: digital culture

“So how can you keep ahead?It’s a Tough time to be a creative: budgets are tighter, studios are smaller and the job market is more competitive than ever before.

So how can you keep ahead?

“To make your make your mark on the creative industry you need to keep one eye on the bigger picture while navigating the minutiae”.Julia Sagar, Editor Computer Arts Presents.

Stand out from the crowd, be ambitious and be good.

Where good ideas come fromhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NugRZGDbPFULINK:

The Creative Mind

The creative mind works in two different contradictory ways:

It starts out opening and questioning. It makes random connections. It relies on intuition and luck to find answers, but the moment it thinks it has something it closes down new possibilities.

0First reactions: Emotional: I like / don’t like it0Second reactions: Rational, objective, seek validation.

S. Johnstone

A technique for producing ideas

The five stages:

0Gather information0Begin to look for connections0Walk away from it0Start putting ideas onto paper0Test the idea out.

James Webb Young, A technique for producing ideas

Be Ambitious

“Aim as high as you can. Try to work for people you revere and companies you respect. That first name makes such a

difference for your second job.”

Martin Brown, Creative Director, Paul Benford Ltd.

Craft your promotion: CVEight ways to show you’re the right person for the job when you’re new to the industry:

0Design your CV – to the person/place you’re applying to0 ‘Speeling and grammah’ – avoid mistakes!0Put the focus on skills – transferable, technical, personal…0 Include anything relevant – reflect on what you have0Exclude the irrelevant – this will be a waste of time to read0Keywords – highlight keywords in your profile0Employment History – this can be called ‘experience’ if its

mostly unpaid work and volunteering0Get it proofread ! – you can use the careers service or peers

Computer Arts Presents.

Polish your creative portfolioYour portfolio is the gateway to a successful career. But outstanding creativity isn’t enough: make your work shine by presenting it professionally:

0Don’t Play it too safe0Sell it with a story0Go behind the scenes0Think ahead0Gather feedback0Learn from others

Computer Arts Presents.

Student task 1:

0What is the BEST example you have found of a creative online portfolio?

0How has this informed your own planning / designing for your digital portfolio?

0Have you included at least 10 of these types of examples in your learning journal to demonstrate this research?

“Simply having a great portfolio isn’t enough”

LINK: http://idealcandidate.represent.uk.com/home

What makes a stimulating creative working environment?

LINK: http://idealstudio.represent.uk.com/home

Creative Studios

Student task 2:

0Where do you see yourself working after graduation?

0What do you feel the benefits might be of working in a shared studio space?

0What studios are available and appropriate to you?

0 If there aren’t any, could you set one up and how?

The Ideal Client

This films explore what makes for a productive, creative and harmonious designer-client dynamic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlI1h3FwXas#t=20LINK:

Learning on the Job

0Getting your degree is just the start. The best way to improve your employability is through experience – and lots of it.

0Start Somewhere0Internships0Personal Projects0Collaborations0Help a charity / volunteer0Enter competitions0Go to design events and exhibitions

TRADEOFFS

0Don’t do something for nothing!0 If there’s no budget - instead of agreeing to do

something for nothing - negotiate a ‘trade-off’’ 0What can you offer someone and what do you

want in return? 0This is a type of skill sharing that be really

beneficial: save you time, form new creative collaborations and mean you don’t keep working flat out for no reward.

Marketing Tips0 Be social0 Have an online presence0 Get free exposure0 Get your work seen0 Keep in touch

You are your best marketing tool; remember that people buy people, if they like your attitude and feel comfortable around you, chances are they’ll hire you.

Making money from Photography: Building your business. 2nd Edition, 2009.

Marketing Tips (cont)0 Make sure you know your business0 Be presentable, personable and professional.0 Be flexible to your clients needs.0 Even if you’re not 100% satisfied with your work, don’t

let anyone else know that.0 Be selective of the work you show; be proud of what you

do.0 Be positive.0 Be prepared for critical feedback.0 Keep an open mind to how you can improve.

Making money from Photography: Building your business. 2nd Edition, 2009.

Social Media0It’s not al about self-promotion0Build a community0Get feedback0Know your industry better0Free, effective marketing0Keep everyone in the know0Give great customer service

Creative Online Media

http://www.creativeonlinemedia.com/blog/3/using-social-media-to-promote-your-business/LINK:

Multi-platforming

Student task 3:

0How do you creatively and effectively use social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, Vimeo, Linkedin etc. ?

0How could you improve this?

0How will you multi-platform between these and your digital portfolio – website?

Branding identity

With consistency across printed and digital platforms:logos, typography, liveliness, high quality print & thoughtful distribution.

Prakt: Mikkeli Illustration Triennial Identity

AKU: Tallinn Music Week 2014 Marlous de Roode

0Raising Profile:0Marketing0 Live Art Events0Exhibitions0Online Innovation

0Networking:0Collaboration0 Social Media Platforms0Creative Networks

EventsCompetitions& Campaigns

Good Wives & Warriors: Absolut Blank Monorex: Coca-Cola Mike Perry: 24-hour draw along

Creative Campaigns are no longer just about high-production-value ‘a-ha!’ moments, but about the ‘making of’. How could you do this to promote your practice? What could you offer a organisation to promote their brand?

Live Art and Performed Design

http://owlondon.com/monorex-high-rise-coke/LINK:

10 tips for the perfect performance_Pricing is Tricky: Become a member of the Association of Illustrators _Always ask what’s going to happen to the work afterwards

_Adaptability and creativity are key when streaming

or screening a live performance._If creating large-scale murals, scaling up can be tricky, especially under pressure. You might want to mark out key aspects of your design in advance._Be comfortable with your tools and make sure that you have references to draw on._Make sure you document the event and work. Good documentation will be your calling card._Try not to get too nervous. Approach each performance with an open attitude._Don’t worry about mistakes. Nobody’s perfect._There are no wrongs in live performances, just hiccups that can be changed at any stage._Have confidence. Believing in yourself and your message is the best tool in your armory.

Good Wives & Warriors: Absolut Blank

Effective Networking

Crowd Funding

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nocaz/new-orleans-comics-and-zines-fest-nocaz?ref=home_potdLINK:

Summary0 Produce high quality creative work (in everything you do)

0 Have excellent understanding of your creative field0 Do ambitious projects (this can be self-led local projects

which have a creative edge to them)

0 Be well communicated (written & visual content, on & offline)

0 Experience (voluntary, local, international; what you have offered to them, how has this informed your practice?)

0 Creative use of social media (‘following’, ‘liking’, ‘watching’ others. Sharing your practice/process, developing an audience, creating a network and ‘multi-platforming’)

0 Keeping on top and in touch with your networks (regular mail-out, tweets, updates, messages)

Key Links0 PressPausePlay Film trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF5G_G9DPKw 0 Where good ideas come from:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NugRZGDbPFU0 The ideal candidate: http://idealcandidate.represent.uk.com/home0 The ideal studio: http://idealstudio.represent.uk.com/home0 The ideal client: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlI1h3FwXas#t=200 Creative Online Media:

http://www.creativeonlinemedia.com/blog/3/using-social-media-to-promote-your-business

0 20 designers to follow on Instagram: http://www.creativebloq.com/photography/graphic-designers-follow-instagram-91413031

0 Monorex: http://owlondon.com/monorex-high-rise-coke/0 Creative Skill Set: http://creativeskillset.org 0 Crowdfunding:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nocaz/new-orleans-comics-and-zines-fest-nocaz?ref=home_potd