Professional Practice in Art and Design

Aim

The aim of this unit is to extend learners’ knowledge of professional practices within their specialist area and to relate these to personal goals and career opportunities.

Unit content

1 Be able to place themselves and their work in the context of their selected discipline

Goal setting: eg through SWOT analysis, Belbin questionnaire, self-reflection, brain storming, decision trees, aspirations, needs, wants, transferable skills, action plans, business plan

Career direction: eg educational; employment; work experience; business start-up; freelance, part time, apprenticeship; new directions; gap year

Aspirations: eg creative, managerial, team working; autonomy, personal ethics eg causes; environmental, ecological, charitable, educational; short term, long term

Responsibilities: to agents; sponsors; clients; employers eg meeting deadlines, respecting confidentiality, settling bills; to consumers eg protection of consumers, supply of quality work; to self eg conscience, costing, salary, ethics, legal issues

2 Understand their specialist area and the career opportunities available

Research: through marketing information; interviews; collecting and collating data; past experiences; industry contacts

Considerations: qualities required eg visual competence, communication skills, confidence, team working skills, experience, empathy, resilience, hard work, negotiation skills; practical eg money, cost of living, distance to travel, family commitments, working conditions,
potential colleagues, promotional prospects

Practicalities: eg personal and public liability, insurance, taxes, freelance, self employment, fees structures, negotiating, using agencies, copyright, intellectual property, contracts, working conditions

3 Be able to develop and present a professional portfolio in an appropriate format

Portfolio: format eg paper-based, CD, video, interactive media; supporting information eg focus, intentions, developmental, finished, research, evaluation

Organised: eg structured, clarity, cohesive, creative, chronological, descriptive

Supporting information: eg CV, business card, headed paper, personal statement, job application, references, named referees, work experiences endorsements

4 Understand how to promote themselves and their work professionally

Personal qualities: eg attitude, dress, manner, speaking, listening; strategic eg adjusting to situation, trouble shooting, varying circumstances

Presentation skills: eg formal, informal, oral, visual, finished, work in progress, interview techniques

Personal development: eg confidence, diplomacy, verbal communication, positive attitude

Promotional opportunities: eg exhibitions, trade fairs, competitions, displays, shows; events eg receptions/private views, film premieres, celebrity endorsement, trade publications; internet eg social networks, blogs; use of media eg editorial, interviews; personal promotion
eg business cards; CV, personal statement, postcards, flyers 

Learning outcomes

1. Be able to place themselves and their work in the context of their selected discipline

1.1 Present a critical justification of own work in the context of the selected discipline

1.2 Debate and justify choices and conclusions relating to proposed career directions

1.3 Produce an outline career plan based upon targeted research and critical self-evaluation

2. Understand their specialist area and the career opportunities available

2.1 Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the industry related to their specialist area through a personal database

2.2 Identify key roles within the selected industry and the personal qualities required for success

2.3 Identify and map own qualities and skills relating to career opportunities

3. Be able to develop and present a professional portfolio in an appropriate format

3.1 Present and support a portfolio of work that supports the proposed career direction

3.2 Integrate supporting information into portfolio work in order to enhance and justify career direction

3.3 Adapt and apply contemporary practices and technologies to enhance personal promotion

4. Understand how to promote themselves and their work professionally

4.1 Analyse and develop a range of opportunities and strategies for self-promotion

4.2 Produce a creative self-promotional campaign which includes written and visual marketing strategies

4.3 Conduct themselves at interview in an appropriate, personable and professional manner.