Creative futures . . done!

After blogging about the creative futures week we had, I realised just how much I had learnt; both good points and bad points. Although the majority of talks I went to were very informative and inspiring, some of the talks that we went to I didn't blog about, partly because I didn't want to be too negative when I didn't get much out of the talk. However I have been able to draw a few things from those talks that made me realise what I don't want to do and what I'd do differently (should avoid) in my career.
Along the way I have posted the advice that i've taken away from each talk but there was some general bits of advice that came up in more than one lecture.

1. The Importance of social media - This was stressed in several lectures! We should be using social networking to get a foot in to the industry, it's that much easier (So to speak) to get yourself noticed today and we should be aware of that. That being said some also said that we should be careful what it is that we're putting out there and how. It can also be dangerous with it being so easy, only put work out there that you're happy with, that represents what you do. Be aware of your Internet presence.
2. Don't be deterred - a career in the creative industries is going to be tough at times, especially getting started but don't back down, if it's what you want then push for it. Nothing worth having comes easy! 
3. Be sure of what it is that you want to do - I was never a fan of doing this, I saw it as limiting myself and so I didn't want to settle into a style or a single media. But after going to some of the talks, I realised that the reason the speakers never achieved what they wanted was because they didn't really know what that was. Some didn't work in a distinctive style and therefore tended to blend in instead of stand out, something I don't want to do! So whilst I don't necessarily know what exactly I want to do, I know how I want to work and in what media. It's a start!

So that's the pieces of advice that were reiterated throughout creative futures week, although it's not all that i've taken from the week. This year I took creative futures a lot more serious than I did last year; this year I went to ones that may not be directly related but have relevance and therefore broadened my outlook to my work. I can honestly say that I can't wait for next year!