PP Evaluation

I have found this years PP module really beneficial, if not just to be able to reflect on where I see myself within the professional industry. I started the year really unaware of where I wanted to go within the industry, the module has allowed me to carve a path for where I can see myself post-uni. I have really enjoyed consolidating my existing practice into a consistently branded product, and the harmonious and cohesive nature of my own personal 'brand' has already given me the opportunity to work on live, paid briefs. The module has given me a lot of confidence within my own practice, through reflection and evaluation, and I have been consistently approaching clients and posting work to social media and my personal website.

Through PP, I have reached the chance to be able to earn a regular income completely passively, allowing me to focus more time on my illustration work. This was a realisation from research done through PP about where else I can sit within the industry, other than just as a practicing illustrator. One of my main aims for Level 6 was to put myself in a position where I am able to support myself without having to rely on illustrating alone, this is something I have managed to set up extremely effectively and am continuing to promote my own business through the information I have gained through PP.

The module has really taught me the value of marketing myself properly within the industry, and has lead me to set up a creating promo pack of business cards and other promotional items to be able to distribute and sell as part of my ongoing marketing efforts. It has also inspired me to produce promotional items for my business as well,  creating goods with the businesses logo on to further promote it outside of social media and digital goods- this is something I will continue to work on moving past uni.

Another part of the module I found beneficial was the Hanbury Symposium. It was great to be able to meet and chat with real industry professionals and gain some knowledge and advice about where they think the industry is moving and how we can effectively get involved and establish ourselves within it. This also helped me gain the confidence to approach clients rather than waiting for them to come to me, which I have subsequently been able to get another live brief from. This will be vital experience in the real world as I will definitely have to go out and find work, especially without a huge reputation or social media following.

Over the course of PP I was able to take part in a number of paid live briefs, which I was able to get because of the tips and information learned through the module. PP also helped me with my negotiation skills, and when one of the live briefs needed renegotiating I had the confidence and information to be able to back myself to get a result that both me and the client were happy with. This will definitely help me as I begin to practice as an illustrator working on other live briefs.

More than anything, the module has allowed me to identify where my practice could sit within the industry. Through research into other practitioners, I have been able to identify why and how their practice works and what makes them a 'successful' illustrator. This has given me the confidence to be able to carry on with my own practice as we move on from uni and has allowed me to narrow down where I think I want my practice to go in the future.

Overall, the module has given me much more confidence and knowledge to be able to be prepared enough to go out on my own, with the support of others and not only work as a practicing illustrator, but to run my own successful business as well.