Starting out in
What are the best ways to get started in your chosen industry? A panel of speakers, from experienced professionals to those just making their mark, shared insights, tips and advice to give attendees a headstart.
There was an opportunity to ask questions, followed by networking.
Starting out in textiles
10 - 11.20am, Friday
(Networking till 12pm)
What are the best ways to get started in the textiles industry? There are a wide range of career options in this sector, so we brought together a panel of speakers, including experienced professionals and recent graduates to give you some great advice. They shared their experiences, insights and inside knowledge to give the audience a headstart.
Speakers included:
- Emma Cowlam, freelance textile designer and illustrator
- Margo Selby, woven textiles designer
- Virginia Hodge, textile designer
Starting out in film & TV
12 - 1.20pm, Friday
(Networking till 2pm)
A panel of speakers from film and television discussed how to kickstart your career in these highly-competitive industries. The audience found out from professionals and recent graduates how to find funding, how to get freelance work, about the importance of networking and the all-important answers about how to land a great job from those who have already been there.
Speakers included:
- Nirpal Bhogal, writer and director for film and television
- Iestyn Williams, TV producer
- Kate O’Farrell, freelance costume designer for film & TV
- Philip Ilson, Director of the London Short Film Festival
Starting out in fashion
2 - 3.20pm, Friday
(Networking till 4pm)
Three speakers advised on getting yourself out there and how to get a foot in the door in this extremely competitive industry. The audience heard advice about recruitment and the different career paths in the fashion industry, found out what companies are looking for and discovered how to develop a business from concept to market success.
Speakers included:
- Russell Hammond, business consultant
- Katie Greenyer, creative director Red or Dead
- Samata Angel, entrepreneur & designer
- Mathew Dixon, co-director Hudson Walker International Limited
Starting out in product & 3D design
4 - 5.20pm, Friday
(Networking till 6pm)
This panel discussion looked at the opportunities and career paths for those wanting to start out in product design or work for themselves as designer-makers. The audience heard advice from a variety of speakers currently working in the sector, who shared their experiences and inside knowledge about how to get your work to market.
Speakers included:
- Rosie Wolfenden, founder & owner at Tatty Devine, jewellery design company
- Dominic Wilcox, british designer, artist and inventor
- Gareth Neal, furniture designer & craftsman
Starting out in journalism & publishing
10 - 11.20am, Saturday
(Networking till 12pm)
Digital is changing the landscape of journalism and publishing and creating many new opportunities. The audience heard from three professionals, from recent graduates to experienced hands, who shared their tips and advice on how to get work, writing for digital, working freelance or getting jobs, and how to make your mark in digital or traditional media.
Speakers included:
- Tim Abrahams, freelance journalist and architecture writer
- Eric Huang, publishing director, media and entertainment, at Penguin
- David Varela, journalist and content creator
Starting out in photography
12 - 1.20pm, Saturday
(Networking till 2pm)
Three experts discussed a range of topics spanning commercial to fine art photography, including how you to promote yourself, make great contacts and start your own practice. The audience heard from professionals and recent graduates about how to create opportunities for themselves to find clients, get internships or generate freelance work.
Speakers included:
- Mary-Jane Maybury, award-winning photographer and photojournalist
- Anastasia Taylor-Lind, documentary photographer
- James Gerrard-Jones, photographic agent and partner at Wyatt-Clarke & Jones
Starting out in visual communication
2 - 3.20pm, Saturday
(Networking till 4pm)
Three speakers gave an insight into starting out in the world of graphics, illustration and digital media, freelance work and how to find the best job. The audience heard advice from those just starting out as well as people already established in the industry, and tips on how to find clients and work. The attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions and network.
Speakers included:
- Morag Myerscough, Studio Myerscough, a cross-disciplinary design practice
- Alex Spiro, founder, Nobrow, an independent publishing platform for graphic art, illustration and art comics
- Adam Dudd, graphic designer, Tate Design Studio
- Domenic Lippa, Pentagram partner and co-editor and designer at baseline magazine
Starting out in theatre & performance
4 - 5.20pm, Saturday
(Networking till 6pm)
Speakers from the world of theatre and performance gave an insight into how to start and shape your career. The audience had the chance to get some tips from those in the know about how to get their career moving, making and keeping good contacts and how to sustain themselves in this tough industry as a practicing artist.
Speakers included:
- Livvy Morris and George Heyworth AKA Bourgeois and Maurice, award-winning musical cabaret duo
- Kelly Wilkinson, freelance theatre director and artist director of IsoProductions
- Felix Barrett, Artistic Director, Punchdrunk