Any tips for securing work experience in the creative industry? London in particular.

Hello!

My name is Freya and I have just completed my first year of Illustration and Visual Media at LCC UAL. I would love to hear other's best advice for enquiring about work experience as a beginner.

I'm keen to get involved as soon as possible and learn from others around me!

Replies8

  • Hey Freya, the most effective way to get work experience is to put yourself out there. It is easier said than done, but I suggest being active on LinkedIn, where most brands/agencies post their job roles.

    You can look for roles at:
    https://www.ifyoucouldjobs.com/
    https://startup.jobs/
    https://creativeopportunities.arts.ac.uk/internships/
    https://creativeaccess.org.uk/

    It can be exhausting to search for work experience, especially with how competitive our industry is. If you need further guidance, feel free to message me, and I'll provide more detailed insights into what worked for me and what didn't :)
  • @Linsey M Thank you! These are really helpful websites I didn’t know about. I am hoping to find some summer 2024 internships and London based work experience to work around university.
  • There are opportunities out there, sometimes it is a matter of finding them

    https://opportunities.creativeaccess.org.uk/
    https://www.creativementornetwork.org/jobsboard

    What exactly would you like to do? internship? entry level role, find a mentor?

    I'll dig out some other links too! Good luck
  • Hey Freya,

    Some advice in here re contacting people you want to work with / for - and asking them to help you out!

    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/work-get-vikki-ross/?trackingId=JswuS2tUSCSx4vGonxbAyg%3D%3D
  • For illustration, I think knowing your target audience and gathering a list of clients you would love to work with or companies you want to work for would help a lot! If you’re looking to go into a certain industry (e.g marketing & advertising or animation) be on the lookout for careers events like UKCF to network or meet-ups to get advice and learn more about the industries you want to work in! For example, Yo illo is a good illustration meet up and there’s festivus for animation! In the meanwhile tailoring your portfolio to the career you choose is always important too. Best of luck :)
  • First off nice illustrations, I would recommended collect agencies or studios that do work that you want to being in the future. You can find name names of places and people on websites D&AD, Campaign magazine, Its Nice That search your field and work they’ve done.

    Once you’ve found a few tailor your CV/Portfolio towards them with a clear meet up or visit. Or better yet go there in person and give them a free print or something.

    Example: https://parallelteeth.com/
    Get an insight to them through this video
    Nicer Tuesdays: Caitlin McCarthy
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7Vu5J8LBQk

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