Meet UAL Enterprising Alumni Association Committee Member: Katia Potapova

What do you enjoy the most about being involved in the UAL Enterprising Alumni Association?

I love bringing a diverse bunch of creatives together. It often happens that, after an alumni meeting, people get together and collaborate. Knowing that I help facilitate a space for them to meet is the most rewarding thing to me.

It is really about meeting other attendees and discussing what's happening in the world of being a freelancer or having your own brand. It's usually a very mixed group of creative professionals, spanning different industries, ages, and nationalities.

I found out about the network through a UAL alumni email newsletter and decided to get in touch with the alumni team to propose my idea of creating an event involving networking drinks for enterprising alumni, and they were very enthusiastic and supportive.

In which way does the UAL Enterprising Network support alumni? And what advice can you share with fellow UAL graduates who are hoping to grow their networks/businesses?

The alumni network can help in different ways, for example by sharing your project or brand across UAL channels. You are also part of a worldwide community of creatives. Since being a freelancer/entrepreneur can be a very lonely experience and we’re all experiencing similar issues, the network can be very supportive and offer a sense of belonging.

The best advice I’ve ever had about networking from someone in the industry, which I would like to pass on, is not to rush into offering your services. Networking is about building relationships, which take time to be cultivated.

Current projects you're working on?

I am currently working on my Interior Design Studio ‘Yellow Brick’ and on a mission of demystifying the general belief that good interior design its all about selling expensive furniture.

I am also developing ‘lulide’, an art project-cum-fashion label, whose designs take inspiration from my photography.