Networking Session

A network is simply getting in touch with people you find interesting enough to want to chat to about the creative process, careers or anything that comes to mind when seeing what they do.

Start getting in touch with people you find interesting or inspiring, just getting in touch and talking about their work builds your network and helps develop creatively.

Think about how you are going to get in contact with these people:

• E-mail
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Letter
• Telephone
• Snapchat
• Personal contact

Look at creative’s work, blogs, websites, presentations, attend conferences. Join and create networks that we see as ‘synergetic’ or investigative to inform, expand and educate our own practices. This could be even as easy as joining a network where designers share their work and ask each other for feedback, such as designers league group on Facebook.

Networking is similar to everyday things that you’re scared to do but it just takes practice, once you’ve started it gets easier. Just make sure to get your opinion across even if that opinion is simply that you love the work, or you want to further investigate the project. Opinions are valid from anyone, whether you’re a student or a professional.

What have I done to start networking? : 

I have created an Instagram account to start sharing work, this is useful as it means I can get feedback and also look for inspiration from others; whilst getting my name out there. Instagram also allows for messaging, giving me another platform that I can use to contact other designers.  

Design Instagram

I have also joined the Facebook group Designers League which is created for designers to be able to share their work on and get feedback from other designers, whether it be critical or praising. This is again another way to share work and get your name out there with designers within the local area or even abroad. 

The Designers League