Being in the digital creative industry in this day and age is tough. It’s highly competitive, constantly changing and evolving with an extremely high standard of work expected. Good is no longer good enough.

The aim of this blog is to give advice and share tips with any up and coming or well established designers in the creative industry. Below are a few things I’ve picked up along my creative journey that have helped me win, laugh and cry!

Give it a Go

Want to learn Cinema 4D? You can study all the books you want but once you start up that interface, things will be very different. For most people, it makes more sense to jump straight in, get it wrong, break it a few times, and learn that way. This doesn’t mean theory’s not important, just this way you’ll have an experience around which to build a framework for thinking.

Remember you are forever learning. It’s very easy to find peers, so when you jump in and give something a go, you don’t have to do it alone. I assure you that I didn’t get to where I am today on my own. I work with great talent who really know what they’re doing, we are forever learning and feeding off each other. I feel one of the best ways to learn is to teach.

Exceed their Expectations

Its all in the pitch! It is important to understand the negotiation process that comes with being a designer and working to a brief. It is inevitable that your design/idea will be open to constructive criticism, however you can use this to your creative advantage by ensuring the end result is way above their expectations by taking your ideas further and allowing room for negotiation.

Create your own Network

Have you ever been to a networking event with the intention of meeting other like-minded creatives? With this kind of expectation the reality can often be disappointing and you end up feeling detached from the room with this ‘forced’ social situation. Create your own network of people by arranging casual meet-ups with colleagues, competitors and freelancers over pie and mash or a pint. It’s more about meeting and making friends than forcing acquaintances.

Accept Change Will Happen

Digital design is an ever-evolving industry with which you need to be ready to adapt and move with. This can feel uncomfortable, so be prepared to make some changes in your living/work situation. Everybody’s situation is different. The decision for me was easy, however still uncomfortable in the early stages. Do not fear the inevitable! You will adapt.

Choose Your Own Path

There is no structured path in becoming a designer. What is important is passion and dedication to learning on the job. I have learnt more working with people and through mistakes made early on than during my time in education. The university pathway has many benefits, focusing on your process, style and working to deadlines, but you really start to learn when you enter the industry and are able to shadow others.

So, to conclude, I think it’s important to say that there is no formula and no shortcut to success in the creative industry. Just hard work, talent and a great attitude…

A few simple tips won’t hurt either.

Good Luck!