Phase One - Research. A great way to gain real insight and perspective in helping you to define and refine what you’re looking for is to start a deep-dive research of job descriptions.
This blog provides a range of creative roles and experiences to help you begin the process and some useful employment and recruitment websites you can research further.
Phase Two - Networking. Finding key people in the business to talk to directly. It will be the most valuable information you can get. So ask them about what, how and why they do what they do.
People are generally happy to tell you about the job they do. By approaching them in the right way, - having background information and employing a little flattery usually does the trick as they'll be more receptive to your requests because your speaking their language...
Good background information about the job your looking for makes finding the right professional and the conversations you have with them easier - as you'll be more informed. You can suggest a phone or video call if they're too busy to meet in person.
However, organising a face-to-face meeting, will always be more effective. And engaging with them in their place of work means getting more insight into their professional environment. Everyone you meet, everywhere you go, gains you valuable experience; helping build a better picture and understanding your career direction more clearly.
Phase 3 - Communities/Hubs/Group Chats. More advice, information and guidance can be obtained through joining these platforms. Some are in person, most online, where you can talk to industry professionals, graduates, perhaps even set up with a mentor. For example:
LinkedIn Groups provide a place for professionals in the same industry or with similar interests to share their insights and experiences, ask for guidance, and build valuable connections. https://www.linkedin.com/
Tern Heads. Join our creative community of peers and professionals, on a platform dedicated to entry level talent. We offer a network of accessible opportunities and a space to showcase your work to potential employers. https://ternheads.com/intern-sign-up/
Phase 4 - Industry events and training sessions Another great opportunity to network and forge professional connections. Getting the insiders stories are key indicators in your career research.
All this research, networking and information gathering means you’ll be able to position your portfolio and personal promotion campaign far more effectively. (See my blog on Managing Your Portfolio & Personal Promotion).
It will be your networking and communication skills that will secure the best outcomes, alongside luck and 'happenstance', meaning - 'a chance situation' created partly by you through your commitment to putting yourself out there and creating opportunities.
Below are a range of junior, mid-range and senior creatives and their current roles - aimed at giving you a snap-shot of their experiences, particular skills, projects, the clients, salaries and general & specialised technical expertise. So as you browse through, ask yourself the following:
Why and what aspects of their jobs appeal to you. Is it the technical, the creative, or the salary, the variety of work or the type of clients?
Consider how closely you match the skills and what you would need to learn and gain experience at in order to apply for and do the job yourself.
If you don't understand something about the job always dig deep and find out what you need to do to get there... making a more informed choice will you lead to better results.
(See below for links to useful employment information and recruitment websites)
Creative Professionals Job Descriptions
Junior Designer | £28k Per annum Over 4 years of experience within an agency and the corporate sector - also freelanced for many independent businesses. Capable of juggling multiple projects, communicating with suppliers/partners, able to adapt to projects and has a passion for fresh and original design. Worked across social media, email, landing pages, presentations, brochures, catalogues, packaging, POS and Large formatting printing.
Whilst at the agency - was responsible for the design and layout of all information for sales colleagues, external suppliers, partnered customers and the parent company BUNZL PLC. This required a great understanding of requirements based on each sector and his ability to condense information into the most beneficial and engaging way was key.
Tech Skills: the Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft 365, presentation design, animated GIFs, social media design, After Effects, Adobe Rush, Canva and Squarespace.
Freelance Senior Concept Designer & Art Director Multidisciplinary execution with specialisation in brand identity for print, digital, motion and mobile apps, multi-channel brand activation, and campaign concepts. Conceptualising and implementing projects for both agency and in-house brands across B2B, health care, retail, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), and beauty brands as well as architecture studios. Designing and art directing point of sales installations, brochures, printed assets, storyboards, illustrations, producing 2D/ 3D animations and digital campaigns. Also creating campaigns across multiple touch-points, from concept to implementation.
Clients: The Integer Group, Hangar Seven, Oliver, OMD, and TWBA
Tech Skills: Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign; Keynote and PowerPoint; After Effects and Blender 3D.
Senior Digital Designer Versatile creative abilities with a keen eye for detail and a flair for ideas. Combining insightful thinking and intelligent design to conceive intuitive, responsive and immersive digital experiences. Creative direction, information architecture, user experience, conceptual thinking, mind mapping and story boarding. B2B and B2C offerings within the Digital world.
Clients: Karmarama, JWT, Imagination, Possible, Socrates, Wunderman, AnalogFolk, LBi, Critcal Mass, VCCP, Rapp, Proximity, AKQA, R/GA, Discovery Channel, HUGE, Leo Burnet, Barclays, VML, HAVAS, Essence and Travelsupermarket.
Tech Skills: Programming HTML, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch and Invision.
Videographer / Editor Film Producer/Videographer specialising in documentary-style films, commercials, corporate events, press videos, music videos and social media content. Work includes: cinematic lifestyle, entertainment, leisure, product and travel footage that’s independently produced, directed, filmed, edited, coloured and sound mixed. Adept at producing storyboards, planning, direction through to delivery and postproduction.
Clients: Nike, LG, GQ, Vogue, John Lewis, Red Bull, Volvo, Bestival, Creamfields and Snowbombing Festival.
Tech Skills: Photoshop & Illustrator, Premier Pro and Final Cut, DaVinci Resolve for colour grading.
Copywriter | £450 per day (inc all fees) Conceptual copywriting, long, short, ad and press copy as well as writing landing pages, email and direct mail. develops creative concepts working alongside designers, developers, marketers and PR professionals ensuring the best customer journey and optimising SEO.
Clients: Peugeot, Guinness, Bensons for Beds, Whitbread Agency, Premier Inn, Ladbrokes, PayPal, Virgin Media and SAP.
Skills: MS Word, Storytelling, editing, persuasion techniques, research, SEO, marketing awareness
Senior Conceptual Designer / Illustrator | £400 per day + VAT Concept artist, designer, illustrator, print, branding and experiential marketing, advertising and activation.
Clients: Stella Artois to the Premier League, Momentum Worldwide, White Label, Grey and The Marketing Store.
Integrated Designer | £200 per day + VAT Designer and Art-worker working in events and exhibitions. Directing, coordinating and customising creative campaigns across different media. Application and implementation of branding, thinking about sight-lines, anything large format and designing with footfall/traffic in mind. Design and print-prep graphics according to brand guidelines and appropriate sizes. Artworking signage, wayfinding, large format, along with brochures, event materials and any other printed assets.
Tech Skills: InDesign, Adobe suite and Illustrator,
Creative Director | £250 per day + VAT With Creative Direction experience in the art of Motion Graphic Design, mixed media animation and frame-by-frame animation. Specialises in the use of character and design to create the illusion of alternate worlds. Out- of-the-box creative thinker, able to use learnt collection of skills to enhance any production, for online/social, television, or the big screen.
Tech Skills: C4D, Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro, After Effects,
Senior UI/ Front End Designer / Digital Designer | £400 per day + VAT Versatile creative with a keen eye for detail and a flair for ideas. Combining insightful thinking and intelligent design to conceive intuitive, responsive and immersive digital experiences. Creative direction, information architecture, user experience, conceptual thinking, mind mapping and storyboarding.
Clients: Karmarama, JWT, Imagination, Possible, Socrates, Wunderman, AnalogFolk, LBi, Critical Mass, VCCP, Rapp, Proximity, AKQA, R/GA, Discovery Channel, HUGE, Leo Burnet, Barclays, VML, HAVAS, Essence and 'Travelsupermarket'. B2B and B2C offerings within the Digital world.
Tech Skills: Adobe, Sketch, HTML, CSS and JavaScript, Invision, Integrated Development Environment (IDE), - Emmet, Visual Studio Code.
Freelance Motion Graphic Designer | £320 per day (inc all fees) Graphic and motion design - specialising in brand and channel identity integration, editing, storyboarding, live action and 3D animation. Working for major broadcasters and TV production houses.
Clients: Sky TV, Now TV, Sassy Studios. Sky Sports, Comedy Channel, DAVE, CH5
Tech Skills: After Effects, Cinema 4D, Premiere Pro and the Adobe Creative Suite, audio editing software: Audacity.
Creative Strategist & UX Lead (Events, Experiential and Retail) | £590 per day + VAT Designing meaningful, critical and impactful experiences that are future-facing, focused on audience and rooted in narrative. Experience in bridging the gap between tech, art and luxury, creating innovative concepts for clients. Started a career as an Exhibition Designer, moving into a user experience role, so understands the processes behind strategy. Skills are best utilised for consulting/strategy/narrative for some of the world's most luxury brands. Conceptualised and executed Jo Malone’s Virtual Townhouse, a project aimed at the user at home, allowing them to experience a retail journey from home via the Jo Malone website or app. Story-telling around products, foresight, strategy, pitch narrative and market trends, overseeing all wireframes and prototypes. Creating experiential campaigns to engage customers in stores.
Clients: Burberry Beauty, Jenny Holzer, PlayStation, Mercedes-Benz, Max Factor and Cover Girl, Moncler
Skills: A cross-disciplinary UX design, creative strategy, visual narrative and experiential design.
Senior Creative Artworker | £300 per + VAT Print & typography, brochures, guidelines, marketing campaigns, digital design and branding. Expertise in bid & tender, project management, advertising production, digital experiences, packaging and advertising. Responsible for the overall studio output and standard of artwork tenders, digital media, producing digital experiences,
Clients include: Taylor Wimpey, Versus Arthritis, easyjet, Garmin, Ralph Lauren, Travelex, Mitie and Imperial War Museum.
Tech Skills: Adobe Creative Suite/Indesign, Project Management software
Freelance Motion Designer | £350 per day + VAT Projects with presentation design, animations, ads, 3D vector design and illustrations. Producing B2B content for Twitter. Valentines Day campaign with Diet Coke - winning the client from that promotion. Has a Masters in Music and is also a DJ.
Clients: BBC, Guardian, Sky TV, Bloomberg, MXB, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola,
Tech skills: Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects, Premier Pro, PowerPoint and Keynote.
Studio Manager | £300 per day + VAT Managing large studios for agencies and brands. Artworking and production for print, thorough knowledge of the print and report process, alongside trafficking and workflow.
Clients: Asda, M&S, Apple, Stansted Express, Gallagher, an E-Comms company,
Tech Skills: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Point Of Sale, WordPress, Powerpoint.
2D/3D Animator/Character Animator | £320 per day + VAT Familiar with the animation process from start to finish, from storyboarding, script writing and layout, illustrating and rigging. Works on sole video editing briefs and sound editing. Produces concepts through to final production, working alongside videographers and designers to create TV commercials and social media content.
Clients include: Spark Media, The FA, Sonic Mania and Cambridge University Press to name a few.
Tech Skills: Modelling, rigging and animating, motion graphic design, grading, video editing, illustration, script writing, storyboarding, sound design for both animation and video. After Effects, Illustrator, Animate, Photoshop, TV Paint, Toon Boom, Premiere, Cinema 4D, Procreate, Blender, Notion, Asana, Frame and MS Office.
Full Stack Developer | Freelance Hands on, Front End and Back End Developer. Creates simple ideas bringing them to life - giving clients exposure to global markets. learning designer and facilitator, designing and delivering online and offline learning programmes. Designs education management systems where teachers can track student competencies and track progress.
Tech skills: Test development, Front end build, web design, System functions, setting up servers. Languages: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Java, Dart. Programs: Twilio, Firebase. CMS: Strapi
Project Manager | £450 per day + VAT Fully integrated Project Manager working in large matrix organisations, delivering successful projects, campaigns and initiatives across a broad variety of both print and digital media, video production, event management and IT, both client and agency side. An innovative thinker with ability to draw on market research and knowledge of all relevant channels, audiences, trends and best practices to provide creative solutions and recommendations.
Tech Skills: Proficient in the following software and languages: SQL (database), Citrix, SAP, Salesforce, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project.
Front & Backend Developer | £450 per day + VAT Multi-skilled Software Developer, Provides expert, in-site rebuilds for a range of B2B and consumer clients. Works with SQL and NoSQL type database solutions (MySQL, MSSQL, MongoDB), also with AWS or Google Cloud Console and experience managing Linux based servers and Docker environments.
Clients: Sift Limited, Arsenal Football Club and Mad Greens.
Tech Skills: PHP or ASP and using HTML5, CSS, Javascript (Vanilla, React, Vue.js, node.js, JQuery).
Research & Engagement
Take time to research people’s job experiences online where you can find them in creative hubs, communities and blogs. Contact those who inspire you... Look at creative job specs and check out employment and recruitment websites like:
Profiles Creative - https://www.profilescreative.com/
Screen Skills - https://www.screenskills.com/
Tern Heads - https://ternheads.com/
Prospects - https://www.prospects.ac.uk/
Behance - https://www.behance.net/
Indeed - https://uk.indeed.com/
Totaljobs - https://www.totaljobs.com/jobs/creative
Creative Access - https://creativeaccess.org.uk/
Discover Creative Careers - https://discovercreative.careers/#/
These platforms (and many more) provide good well-researched insight and information for specific job titles, detailing relevant key skills and competencies.
Actions: Pick 3 job titles that include skills you already have, are developing or want to learn. Then do a deep-dive into the why you want it, what it's all about and how your going to get there... Start targeting companies and industry professionals and building a better picture and understanding your goals more clearly.
All photographs in this blog are courtesy of: Unsplash - https://unsplash.com/
© Paul Butler is an accredited Creative Careers Adviser, Design Director and HE Lecturer in employability and Creative Industry careers.
For one-to-one creative careers advice and coaching contact me at: paulb@creativecareersadvice.com
If you found this blog useful share it with your contacts and follow me for more posts on creative careers advice and employability topics.
Other related blogs you might want to reference to learn more: ‘Confidence In Public Speaking’ and 'Managing your Portfolio'
Why not sign up for membership of Tern Heads: https://ternheads.com
It's a creative community of peers and professionals, dedicated to entry-level talent. We offer a network of accessible opportunities and a space to showcase your work to potential employers.