Chris Edmunds has a fresh perspective on networking and getting yourself noticed within the design world which can, at the best of times, can be a difficult and daunting task. His experience spans the globe from Amsterdam to Bermuda and has now settled in Manchester with his own bespoke design company United Creatives. Despite his current success it took two years for him to get his first job in London. Chris has given some top tips and advice on getting your foot in the door.
:::GET NOTICED:::
"Telephone people, don't call them up speak to them, and talk to them about one of their projects and how you can help. So many people write emails and text message and send their C.D in with their work on it, it's completely bloodless. Email and websites; it's great if you need a bit of information but they are for the most part, bloodless communication. Pick up the phone and dial the number and speak to someone like were doing now and it's a much more successful way. I'll sum it up in three words, use your gob"
::: NETWORKING:::
"I think networking is something that should happen naturally as part of your life. If you say to yourself; I am going to network now, and go to a networking event, all that breakfast club bollocks is a pile of shit. I wouldn't bother with any of it, I've never bothered with any of it. I have tried it and, it's crap. That is not how you make relationships.
Networking cannot be forced it's a natural thing that happens, and that is a lot to do with how you live your life. You can be the best designer, best illustrator, best artist, but if your portfolio is under your bed then no-one is going to know about you.
When you say networking it suggests that it's a separate activity to your life and your art and I think if anyone is serious about being a creative, there isn't really a line in the sand it's all one thing. Your networking is just how you live your life.
It should come naturally, you shouldn't have to network you should just live your life. Use your gob, don't network".
:::TOP TIPS:::
1 – Travel and experience other cultures. If we are referring to graphic design for example, then it has a big bearing on that because you're talking about Arabic, Japanese, and Chinese markets, if you can go away and travel and experience other things, you can learn more about society and cultures.
2 – Don't be driven by money, be driven by passion. If you're in it to make a quick buck then you might as well just fucking give up. People who are passionate, like the Peter Saville's, that are genuinely good designers. If you're passionate the money will follow.
3 – Don't give up, and that sounds really fucking clichéd, but it took me two years to get my first job in London. So yeah, it might be clichéd but you will get a few kicks in the teeth. But you learn from them.
4 – Make mistakes don't be afraid of making them. People are so afraid of making mistakes, do something really ambitious, if it fucks up, you will have learnt a big lesson. Be safe then your not challenging yourself or anyone your doing the work for.
5 – Never call your Art Director Dad by mistake. I did that on my first job, I was working on designing Fredrick's, a restaurant on Camden passage in Islington. For a time it was Tony Blair's favourite restaurant and I did my first Pitch for my art director. It was a big important graphic design project. I'd designed all the menus and printed them all out and the art director was delighted, affirmed in his choice of giving me a full time position, and I turned round and I said; "thanks Dad". I couldn't look him in the eye for two or three weeks after that.
For more information on Chris and United Creatives visit the website at www.unitedcreatives.com.
