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How to get into the creative industries: Try. Try again. Fail again. Fail better. Repeat.

Published date
25 Jul 2019
Author
Megan St Clair Morgan

Looking to work in the creative industries? Our tutor’s share their advice after many years in the industry. If you’re looking to take the leap and change industries, or just starting your educational journey and are hoping to work in the creative industries – this one is for you. Our tutors are industry experts – with their vast experience we broke down their advice for you.

  • book open on table

  • alphabet in design typography.

  • folders laid out on table

What you need to work in the creative industries…

You’ll need a flexible attitude, technical skills and visual judgement. The never-ending journey starts now.
– Ben Richards, tutor on Graphic Design: An Introduction

Remember, do you

You are creative industry, so get into yourself first and foremost: Find what motivates you to create — be it a range of desired outcomes, or specific cultural influences — and pro-actively work toward making those activation points visible through your work and biography. In other words: do you.
– Ansel Neckles, tutor on Visual Identity

It's hard to get good at something...

There are few short cuts. Be open to learning all you can and practice as much as you can. Be prepared to feel confused and for your early efforts to look amateurish. Keep at it and you will improve. Or to paraphrase Samuel Beckett, Try again. Fail again. Fail better. Repeat.
– Nigel French, tutor on Book Design and Production

Is it as easy and fun as it looks?

A really important bit of advice would be for me to try and put you off: working in design will not always be creative, it can be frustrating and stressful, and it is extremely competitive. It’s not usually a nine-to-five and is often badly paid. If you’ve read this far and are still interested then maybe it is for you... 
– Ben Richards, tutor on Graphic Design: An Introduction

Open the industry doors for yourself

Bring your heavy riot gear, because many of those industry doors don’t open by themselves. Looking for the right job or opportunity is one thing; creating those opportunities is another. People tend to notice you only when you make yourself known. Not ‘superstar known’ but known for doing that thing.
– Ansel Neckles, tutor on Visual Identity

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  • Modes of thought motivational poster momentum monochrome grid blue bag by Lets Be Brief

Don't walk in blind...

Doing a short course or two can be a really useful way to see if the subject is what you think it is and whether you might enjoy doing more of it.
– Ben Richards, tutor on Graphic Design: An Introduction

Don't underestimate your skills

Being able to execute an idea on your own terms — and under your own steam — puts you in a somewhat better position to negotiate terms in future.
– Ansel Neckles, tutor on Visual Identity