Session 2 - Networking

NETWORKING

Starting to get to know people NOW is important.

But it should have a resin and a plan.

Your 'network' is for many reasons and it can be friends family or colleagues , teachers tutors or whomever you see as a beneficial to your practice.

Quite simply, so people know YOU exist as a creative and can see what makes YOU special

Getting to your peers in the industry is beneficial 

ADVICE

MENTORING

FEEDBACK

VISITS

PLACEMENTS

COLLABORATIONS

EMPLOYMENT

What Methods can you employ to get in contact with you?

Investigate yourself. 

But above all we must have a reason to speak to them

What should we consider?

An identity of some kind

Maybe a CV? - Its dry try and make it different

TASK: Investigate list of methods you can employ to contact other creatives studios or agencies - List these on your blog.

CONTACTING PROFESSIONALS:

Planning and documenting

Like undertaking any brief we need to undertake relevant research that we record and utilise.

This is where you PPP blog comes in showing you personal investigations with reference to seeing a synergy in the work to others.

Above all remember it is ALL ABOUT YOU !

Ring up the the company/studio and ask who the creative director is and you want to sen him some files. If no details? ask to be put through.

HOWEVER 

Before you do anything have a few questions to ask Consider WHY you are contacting? 
A visit would be good.

What do you want to tell them?

What is a creative CV?

What should you aim to make away from a meeting? - Experience and a practice run.



How can we effectively network with others?!

We can establish a network in quite a few ways, and I will identify a few, but you will! more than likely add a few more yourself.!

1.JOIN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS allied to your discipline. ie the! Graphic Artists Guild, AIGA and many others.!

http://graphic-design-info.com/dir_organizations.php! 

2.Specific NETWORKING SITES where one can upload a portfolio and! obtain feedback from fellow professionals such ad Behance, Cargo,!  Coroflot and many others.! 

3.Join CREATIVE CIRCLES and become active amongst your peers.!

4.ATTEND CONFERENCES and symposiums to meet others that may be! attending or presenting there, this is a ricky one if one is of a reserved! disposition (shy).But, remember the phrase I always use as a displaced ‘Geordie’ ! ‘Shy bairns get nowt!’

5.TRAVEL, work abroad or work with other designers/studios outside the UK. This is something I made a specific point of within my own career. It ‘globalizes’ your network and is so much easier today with the internet.

6. BLOG AND FOLLOW BLOGS. You can amaze yourself when someone from thousands of miles away comments on your work, thoughts and ideas. Check who is following you and why. 

7.VISIT other creatives and socialize. ‘Most’ are more than pleased to meet! other creatives. Establish a dialogue and it can go on for many years!  if you maintain the contact (not as a stalker though!).
THERE IS NO ONE ON THE PLANET YOU CAN NOT CONTACT!

When I say that of course I mean there is no one in the world you can not attempt to contact.! However, have a reason to contact them.Even if it is simply to say WOW. Years ago, I had always enjoyed the work of Milton Glaser in New York (I LOVE NY) and took a punt and! contacted him simply to say how over the years I really enjoyed his work. I still email and get! replies today...he and I are getting long in the tooth, but both enjoy creative work.
Do not wait...start today...but have a reason and identify why you want to talk.

Networking has been around since the beginning of the artist/creative days. The PreRaphaelites, the Impressionists all networked and discussed their work...I am not suggesting you drink, fight and cut your own ears off, but networking is a helpful and rewarding! pursuit.

Some of my own tips for networking to expand your own network.

1.When you do contact/ meet other creatives you have identified as having some synergy with you and your practice, ask who else they would suggest you talk ! to/follow.
2. Keep in touch on a regular basis (even if it is a postcard from your vacation), pass on other creative practices projects you have seen, they may appreciate it as much as you do.

This is a simple diagram of how it should work.

Why would anyone want to let me into their network!  or be interested at all?! 

Initially as a new Graduate or a final year student, you are ‘new blood’ and fresh. You have had a number of years where you have been encouraged to look at the profession in a new!
light and can bring fresh thinking and ‘untainted’ views.!

When wanting to make contacts and seeking advice, you should understand that professionals! will want to give advice...it’s really nice to be asked and to be seen as an ‘expert’!
This may sound like ‘schmoozing’ (look it up) or ego tripping, but what the heck, if it works, use it.

Remember, recently it has been reported that networking has achieved between 60-80%! of potential job offers
Networking can induct you into important information ‘loops’ and make you aware of opportunities and projects that a ‘creative hermit’ may miss out on.