Whether your passion lies in art and design, culture, filmmaking, landscaping the great outdoors or even indoors – if you’ve an eye for interior design – there’s never been a better time to launch your creative career. Here in the UK, the creative industries sector is growing five times faster than the national economy and creative skills are in demand all over the world. Below, our top tips can get you started on the path to creative success.
If you’re looking to transition into the creative industries, either as a recent graduate or someone whose been in work for a while but is now seeking a career change, there are a number of steps you can take to plan and make sure your journey runs smoothly and successfully.
"The home should be the treasure chest of living."
Le Corbusier
Architect, designer and writer
Associate with creative people
Creativity breeds creativity. No matter what it is that inspires you, when you’re in the company of like-minded people you’ll find that creative energies flow. You can share experiences, learn about the latest techniques, bounce ideas off one another and make the professional connections that can solve problems – anything from finding your next commission to a new accountant.
Social media has made it easier than ever to network with people who share your passions and positivity. For those times when you’d prefer face-to-face support, a quick Google search will uncover the creative communities on your doorstep, Etsy Makers in particular.
"There are no rules in filmmaking. Only sins. And the cardinal sin is dullness."
Frank Capra
Film director, producer and writer
Studying an online master’s degrees with the Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) gives you the opportunity to mix with a wide range of creative people, from different disciplines, backgrounds, cultures and experiences. Students, graduates and tutors will help you to see things from different perspectives and develop your imagination, sparking new ideas and ways of looking at things.
"In town and in country there must be landscapes where we can walk safely, pick fruit, cycle, work, sleep, swim, listen to the birds, bask in the sun, run through the trees and laze beside cool water."
Tom Turner
English landscape architect and garden designer
Become a specialist
It sounds obvious, but honing your talents and skills is essential if you are to carve out a creative career in what can be a highly competitive industry. This is where a specialist postgraduate qualification can give you a solid advantage for a number of reasons.
- Learn from the experts: You’ll be making contacts and networking with experts in your field, working alongside leading academics and experienced practitioners who will provide a unique insight into the realities of creative practice and how to make it work.
- Access to all the latest thinking: You’ll be introduced to the latest critical thinking, research, theories, concepts, practices and techniques within your field.
- Start a side hustle: Since you’re studying part-time, there’s no reason why you can’t make a little income on the side. You can start small, drop shipping by selling printable designs or photography on Etsy, for example. Alternatively, you could offer your creativity and design skills on a freelance basis to local businesses and charities. It’ll give you valuable experience of operating as a business but with relatively little risk.
Develop your research skills
From identifying potential customers to understanding what motivates and interests them, market research is going to be vital to your future success. Whether you’re hoping to launch your own start-up, join a creative practice or arrange financing for a project, you’ll need to find out what your competitive advantage is in order to succeed. What makes you different? How can you stand out from the crowd? What is so special about your particular creations? Why should someone invest in you?
The good news is that AUB’s online master’s degrees blend research and practice with creative theory, so you’ll be trained to undertake research and original investigation in your discipline. You’ll be introduced to a range of approaches to research design and how to make effective links between theoretical frameworks and their practical application. You’ll also develop lots of valuable transferable skills too – in analytical and critical thinking, problem-solving and communication – many of which are highly attractive to potential employers.
Ready to take the next step?
From January 2023, AUB’s 100% online courses allow you to study at a time and place that suits you, alongside students from all over the world and with guidance from our experienced academics and tutors:
