Josh Goodwin - Creative Industries

Intellectual property, often short-handed to "IP", is anything that is created such as artwork, literature, symbols, names and so on. These  are then protected by IP rights, which is the process in which a persons creation is protected for a set amount of time to allow exclusivity with use. IP can be created by anyone anywhere, and different countries will have different IP rights to put into place that allow its protection. Image by Josh Goodwin There are 4 distinct types of IP rights, all put in place to protect the content of a creator. They are: Copyright - this covers specific media, such as recordings, literary work and broadcasts. In the UK, this is automatic and doesn't cost a fee. To show your work is copyrighted, you may opt to use the symbol "©" alongside your name and year of creation. It lasts a specific amount based upon what you are copyrighting. Trademark - this covers words, sounds, logos, colours and any further combination of them. It lasts f...

At a first glance, many people don't believe professionalism has much of a place within the creative industries - the concept of professionalism is the set standards within a workplace, following ethics and could include something as specific as dress code. This can all differ from workplace to workplace, as each has their own ethos and way to handle their employees . However, this concept is deeply rooted within creative industries and is an absolute necessity to having a workplace with good standards and ethics.  Professionalism matters within the creative industries as it shows employees what is expected of them. Having ethical practices keeps a studio afloat, as people will want to work with them and the work produced will be of a higher quality, therefore generating more money and interest. There are no downfalls to working ethically and following the concept of professionalism, as it is in favor of the workers - if a company is of high integrity, they will treat their employe...

"Freelancing" is a term used across industries all over to describe a form of self-employment wherein you work with a mix of clients on your own hours, not employed by one set company or person. You can either go full-time with freelancing, or do it alongside other work. This can be done either from home, or if possible from office space/personal studio. What separates freelancing from being self employed is that, for freelancing, you earn your money from each individual job, compared to a salaried wage.  Image by Josh Goodwin As a freelancer it is imperative you have the following skills:  Communication - invaluable, as yo u cannot work effectively with a client if you struggle with communication, as this will have an effect on everything in your project, from the brief to the final outcome. Management - you will be your own boss, so you must be capable of organisation and highly disciplined when it comes to multitasking and potentially working on multiple projects at on...

"networking /ˈnɛtwəːkɪŋ/ noun 1. the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts."  Networking is one of the most important ways to find yourself connections within your industry, creating those vital social connections that help you find jobs and opportunities otherwise undiscovered. This can be done virtually through online platforms such as LinkedIn, or can be done in person at specific events, but this can also be done organically through happenstance i.e. right place, right time. Networking opens many opportunities as if you know the "right person", this can lead you into companies and jobs you otherwise may not be able to have been aware of, or able to get into without these connections.  Image by Josh Goodwin Events are one of the best ways to network in person, as there are tailored industry-led conventions and festivals with experts with years and years of knowledge behind them that can he...

Creating an online presence is an incredibly important method for gaining attention from potential clients and employers to generate work, all from the comfort of your own home - regardless of what facet of the creative industries you are involved in. You can showcase the very best of your work, whilst simultaneously and actively networking, as well as receiving criticism from all across the world, from different abilities and industries, helping you grow and change to further your career and to hone your skills. Image by Josh Goodwin There are many platforms in which you might find yourself creating an online presence however, all have their pros and cons. For example, career focused social media such as  LinkedIn  and  ArtStation  are beneficial for uploading snippets of work, communicating directly with employers and connecting with fellow members of the industry. In comparison, online platforms such as  X  (formerly Twitter),  Instagram  and...