Creative Futures Day Two

The second day of Creative Futures week began with a lecture entitled 'Art, life and change' by Andrew Richards a Teacher/Potter/Family Man. Below are the notes I took from the session:

Andrew started by telling us that "you have to adaptable and think in many directions. No job is for life".

He went on to tell us how on leaving school he wanted to go on and do an apprenticeship. However, he was persuaded to go to college instead (Chesterfield college of art) to study for a higher national diploma in art/ceramics. He gave an overview of the tutors he encountered during his time at college, their personalities and the impact they had on his there. It was two years of joy and deep learning in all aspects of running pottery. Building kilns and developing style.

Opportunities
Andrew explained the opportunities that came his way during his early career.

Camp America 86, 95,96,98,99

• A journey of discovery and a chance to travel across the states at the age of 20
• Being professional teaching arts and crafts in a beautiful setting
• Growing up and also letting go

238 & 138 kids over two camps. Andrew had his own accommodation and earned more money each year he was there. However, he wouldn't go back, feels he's done enough. He believes his experience at the camp taught him patience and how to react to rich kids who have everything.

Running my first business
After college Andrew decided to set up his own business in Edinburgh. He built a wood kiln to make production pottery. The kiln was enormous and if there were technical problems nobody knew how to help him. There's potentially lots of waste if things don't work. Potter Mike Dodd gave advice on how to change his chimney to make it more efficient. This made his life much easier as pottery could be fired more quickly.

Hard work and long hours
Andrew felt he was enthusiastic but naive at first doing every show he could possibly find to gain as many orders as possible. The first 2-3 years was a struggle and he only just brought in enough money to pay bills. It was a roller coaster, some months bringing in up to £5k, other months nothing. After 5 years he was very tired and decided to close the business. Andrew told us an interesting story about how Harrods asked him to produce hundreds of pate jars. He thought he'd hit the big time but unfortunately the person he dealt with moved departments so it was a 'one hit wonder'.
After finishing the business he needed a degree as he had a desire to go into teaching. This would open new pathways for him.

He had an interview with Cardiff University to start on at second year. Andrew ended up with a 2:1 after 2 years. Then had to decide if he wanted to go into teaching or back to being a potter.

During this time an opportunity came up to do charity work in Albania establishing a self sustaining pottery. He then went on to work with Mike Dodd in India at Golden Bridge Pottery. It was a self sustaining pottery run by the local community and many international students visited. Andrew spent a few weeks there and travelled around India for a couple of months.

Professional practice outside of teaching.
Andrew asked himself why am I making pots when I teach? This is Andrew not letting go of his passion, his freedom what he does to relax. You can jump in with both feet (i.e. set up a full time business) which will cost a lot of money or work for 3 days and then do work on other days. It's also advisable to keep costs down in the first few years will help.

Teaching Art & Design AVCE-A Level-GNVQ-GCSE & Special needs
Andrew told us it's a fantastic job, one of the best but has changed over the last decade. Inspections scare teachers and have had an impact on the way you teach. Paperwork required to fulfil criteria has increased significantly. Taken on as PGCE student teacher at Whitchurch, he was thrown in at the deep end. It was exhausting and he threw everything into it in the first couple of years.

He recommended that you collect as much resources as you possibly can. Professional practise different departments, photograph people and techniques. Sketchbooks are incredibly personal. It's a challenge to get the de-motivated to a position of a C grade or above. Careful about child confidentiality when reviewing sketchbooks.

Sticking to deadlines when teaching. You are judged on your results, they count for an awful lot. A good track record can get you into a powerful position. Need to do a lot of research and get involved by putting in the extra hours. Creative people can go off on a tangent so learn to reserve energy (takes time).

A PGCE is a 3 year degree condensed into one year so very hard work!

Social Media
The second session I attended was entitled 'Social Media' by Steve Graves who works in the Glyndwr Marketing Team. Below are my notes:


Social media is happening very quickly. Traditional media has not got a handle on it yet.

Facebook & Twitter are the most widely used tools. These may be replaced in the future, possibly by social networking focussing on smaller sections of society. Some are dedicated to specific areas of business, e.g. education.

Glyndwr generally uses Twitter for information such as fees and specific info as it has a more targeted audience. Facebook is often used for events.

One of the advantages for the Marketing team is that Social Networking has a much wider reach. It can also be monitored so that publishers can see how people are engaging with the content (frequency, volume etc).

Twitter is so effective as it's about short pieces of information, sharing, networking at the very heart of it. Trending - what are people watching and talking about? News stories. Glyndwr follows students, other universities, businesses etc on Twitter as well as creating its own feeds.

It's essential to embrace social networking if you plan to work in the media. It's important that traditional and social media works together. Traditional media should embrace new technologies. Networking is essential.

Businesses don't always get positive feedback on social media sites. However the view is you don't try to censor people. Listen to online debate about your brand.

The future
People are paid to monitor Twitter & Facebook. This will increase over the next few years.

Individuals will blog, Twitter & Facebook. It's as important as picking up the phone and writing emails, it will increase job opportunities.
Tumbler is a combination of Twitter & a blog. Content/sharing based. Will be more widely used in the future/
Celebrities can and will manage their brand via Social Networking, many can change the way they're perceived through it.