Creative Platforms

Unit Documentation and Resources

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

Unit Blog - http://creative-platforms.tumblr.com/

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

Table of Contents

Learning Outcomes
Marking Criteria
CV Checklist

Please send me a copy of your current CV as soon as

possible.

Skillset CV Guide
SWOT
Sketchbook Examples

I will be looking through these and giving you

constructive feedback over the beginning of the unit.
Email - [email protected]

Blog Examples
Contact Details
Blog Guide
Buzzwords
Student examples from previous years

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
THIS UNIT REQUIRES A FULL COMMITMENT. YOU MUST DOCUMENT AS MUCH AS
POSSIBLE AND DEMONSTRATE COMMITMENT AND ENTHUSIASM THROUGHOUT.

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

Creative Platforms 2015/16

2014 /15
UNIT OUTLINE
This unit integrates negotiated professional projects with professional liaison and self-promotion enabling the student
to build from their body of work with direct relevance to their career aspirations. Extensive collaborative work is
encouraged enabling students to develop an advanced level of experience and competence in promoting their
skills. The curriculum content is based on the premise that those seeking a career as design professionals and
creatives in the industry require a comprehensive understanding of its structure and the requirements for employment.
AIMS
1
To enable students to present a coherent account of their professional work and experience
enabling them to demonstrate their skills to prospective employers or other educational establishments.
2
To clarify the key elements of good layout, management of work and design.
3
To develop students understanding of their project management processes for the unit.
4
To introduce the element of documentation of processes in the form of sketchbooks and blogs.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this unit, students will be expected at the threshold level, to be able to
1
Exhibit project management skills in the context of the unit - how to manage workload and
organise material effectively.
2
Create a platform (in journals online/offline) showcasing their skills and examples of work.
3
Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of their work with reflective reviews and evaluation.
4
Document their processes for each assignment in a professional cohesive way.
Learning and Teaching Strategy
Students will be introduced to the processes of presenting work through a variety of formats through practical
workshops. Students will develop their individual Showreels and CVs through a series of show and tell sessions.
Towards the end of the semester students will have a critical presentation which will enable them to gauge reaction
and evaluation from their peers.
Overall Assessment Strategy
Students individually will produce a CV and Showreel/Business Card in an agreed, pitched and appropriate
format to highly professional standards. They will also be required to back up working processes in an
accompanying journal.
ASSESSMENT PATTERN
100% Coursework:
1Artefact70% Showreel/Working Journal - Individual students will produce a portfolio of work in an appropriate
medium. This activity will be unsupervised and tutor assessed, this will assess learning outcomes 1 and 2.
2Artefact30%CV/Business Card - Individual students will PRODUCE an industry pitched CV and Business Card
intended for their career path after graduation. This will assess learning outcomes 1 and 2
The topics covered in the unit will include:
1Strategies for enabling students to demonstrate their work in a Showreel.
2Strategy for shaping portfolios to meet the requirements of a variety of prospective employers.
3Strategy for presentations/packaging/other promotional material for prospective employers.
4Keeping journals/blogs/websites.
Claire Sambrook / HAND IN Friday
22nd
May
2015 by 3pm. CT Admin Office, Eldon.
Friday
13th
May

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

CREATIVE PLATFORMS
MARKING CRITERIA
100% COURSEWORK
High marks will be awarded for innovative overall design, production and
presentation of the Showreel, CV and Business Card.
ARTEFACT (SHOWREEL) / SUPPORTING JOURNAL (BLOG) 70%
Structure: Are the artefacts logical and relevant to the intended audience and are
they effectively ordered? (20)
Style: Is the content fluent, appropriate and free from repetition? Do the artefacts
have a consistent and professional appearance? (20)
Self Awareness: Do the artefacts present your strengths effectively? Is evidence
for these strengths presented through relevant examples? (20)
Quality of Presentation: Professional designed standard and pitched to the
intended audience (20)
Journal/Blog Evidence - Does it reflect the working creative processes, key
concerns, issues and solutions of the artefacts? Evidence of appropriate
research for the intended audience? (20)
CV / BUSINESS CARD / SUPPORTING JOURNAL (BLOG) 30%
Structure: Are the artefacts logical and relevant to the intended audience and are
they effectively ordered? (20)
Style: Is the content fluent, appropriate and free from repetition? Do the artefacts
have a consistent and professional appearance? (20)
Self Awareness: Do the artefacts present your strengths effectively? Is evidence
for these strengths presented through relevant examples? (20)
Quality of Presentation: Professional designed standard and pitched to the
intended audience (20)
Journal/Blog Evidence - Does it reflect the working creative processes, key
concerns, issues and solutions of the artefacts? Evidence of appropriate
research for the intended audience? (20)

Marker: Claire Sambrook

Moderator: Rod Jeffcote

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

-EDIACAREERSHINTS& tips

7RITINGA#6for the creative media industries

A CV is a marketing document. You can choose what to include and
WHATTOLEAVEOUTBUTITSHOULDREmECTYOURPERSONALITYANDSHOWYOUR
passion for the industry. Unlike other industries where personnel staff
are employed to filter applications, your CV could arrive directly on
the desk of the person with the power to give you a job. They will be
very busy and your CV will have only seconds to impress.
s 7RITEYOUR#6WITHTHEEMPLOYERINMIND5SEONLYTHEMOST
relevant information about your career, education and skills
s 0
ROVIDEANACCURATEPORTRAITOFYOURSELF2EMEMBER
overselling is as bad as underselling
s /
NESTANDARD#6ISNOTENOUGH4AILORITTOTHEINDIVIDUALEMPLOYER
or at least to the type of employer you approach (eg broadcaster,
picture library, photographer, corporate sector, education sector).
-AKESURETHATYOUVETHOROUGHLYRESEARCHEDTHEEMPLOYERYOURE
targeting, so its clear to them that youre familiar with the types of
programmes or projects that they work on
s "EPOSITIVE

Employers will be looking for the following information, which should

be on the front page:
s 7HATYOUCANDOFORTHEM
s 7HATWORKYOUHAVEDONEOFTHEKINDTHATTHEYPRODUCEEGA46
or radio programme, a photo shoot, a game etc)
s )FYOUHAVENTWORKEDINTHISAREAWHATNEWIDEASANDSKILLSYOU
can bring from other areas you have worked in
s 7HOYOUHAVEWORKEDFORTHATTHEEMPLOYERKNOWSANDTRUSTS
s 7HETHERYOUWANTTOWORKFORTHISEMPLOYERORAREJUSTANXIOUSTO
get work generally
s 7HEREYOULIVE
s 7HETHERYOUCANBECONTACTEDEASILY
Your CV should always be sent with a covering letter.
This is an opportunity to speak directly to the employer, so it
ISWORTHSPENDINGTIMEGETTINGITRIGHT2EMEMBERITSHOULD
s BEADDRESSEDTOTHERIGHTPERSON2ESEARCHTHISTHOROUGHLY

9OUR#6SHOULDBECONCISERELEVANTANDWELLLAIDOUT+EEPITSHORT
nTWOPAGESMAXIMUMnANDUSETHESPACEWISELYWHICHTAKES
THOUGHTANDPLANNING-AKESUREITLOOKSPROFESSIONAL
s )SITTYPED)SITONGOODQUALITYPAPER)STHESPELLINGAND
GRAMMARCORRECT$ONTJUSTRELYONSPELL CHECK

s )SITEASYTOREAD!VOIDLONGSENTENCES5SEACTIVEWORDS
eg developed, managed, researched, organised etc
s #
HOOSEAMODERNFONTTOREmECTTHEIMAGEOFTHEJOBn!RIALISA
safe bet and dont use more than one font. Capitals, italics etc.
can be used for emphasis but be consistent and dont overdo
it. Leave plenty of space on the page

beforehand
s BEBRIEFANDNOTREPEATINFORMATIONINTHE#6
s HAVETHREEPARTS
1. The reason for writing, eg I was very interested in the article
IN*ULYS;-!'!:).%4)4,%=ON;2%&%24/!24)#,%=v
2. 9OURSELLINGPOINTSORHOWYOUR#6MEETSTHISNEEDnmAGUP
the relevant points in your CV
3. A prompt for further action, eg Id welcome the chance to meet
you. And remember to follow up, striking a balance between
genuine interest and causing irritation.
Overleaf are some suggested headings for your CV.
4HESENOTESAREINTENDEDASAGUIDENOTlXEDRULES

Helpline Numbers: (*Also available to callers from Northern Ireland)

England 08080 300 900* | Scotland 0808 100 8094 | Wales 0800 0121815

www.skillset.org/careers

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

SWOT Analysis Questions

These questions are designed to help you with your career SWOT analysis
Strengths

What are your advantages?

What do you do well?
Why did you decide to enter the field you will enter upon graduation?
What were the motivating factors and influences?
Do these factors still represent some of your inherent strengths?
What need do you expect to fill?
What have been your most notable achievements?
To what do you attribute your success?
How do you measure your success?
What knowledge or expertise will you bring to the company you join
that may not have been available to the organisation before?
What is your greatest asset?

Weaknesses

Complete as much of this

as you can and be
prepared to present it in
class before the Christmas

What could be improved?

What do you do badly?
What should you avoid?
What are your professional weaknesses?
How do they affect your job performance? (These might include
weakness in technical skill areas or in leadership or interpersonal skills.)
Think about your most unpleasant experiences in school or in past jobs
and consider whether some aspect of your personal or professional life
could be a root cause.

break

Opportunities

Where are the promising prospects facing you?

What is the "state of the art" in your particular area of expertise?
Are you doing everything you can to enhance your exposure to this area?
What formal training and education can you add to your credentials that might position
you appropriately for more opportunities?
Would an MSc/MA or another graduate degree add to your advantage?
How quickly are you likely to advance in your chosen career?
Useful opportunities can come from such things as:
o Changes in technology and markets on both a broad and industry-specific
scale
o Changes in government policy related to your field
o Changes in social patterns, population profiles, lifestyle changes, etc.

Creative Platforms Sketchbook Examples

Threats

What obstacles do you face?

Are the requirements for your desired job field changing?
Does changing technology threaten your prospective position?
What is the current trend line for your personal area of expertise?
Could your area of interest be fading in comparison with more emergent fields?
Is your chosen field subject to internal politics that will lead to conflict?
Is there any way to change the politics or to perhaps defuse your involvement in
potential disputes?
How might the economy negatively affect your future company and your work group?

Will your future company provide enough access to new challenges to keep you sharp
-- and marketable -- in the event of sudden unemployment?

Creative Platforms Blog and Showreel Examples

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

Showreels and Presentation Examples

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

Blog Examples from Creative Platforms

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

MY FULL CONTACT DETAILS ARE:

Claire Sambrook
Senior Lecturer
University of Portsmouth
Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI)
School of Creative Technologies
Eldon Building, 2nd Floor
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
P01 2DJ
Tel- 023 92845481
Mobile: 07843057897
Email [email protected]
There is also a Unit Blog which will be updated on a weekly basis with content and resources to help
you on this unit at: http://creative-platforms.tumblr.com/
Best way to contact me initially is by email.

Please try to come to the sessions as my time is limited

out of class hours.

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

INDUSTRY BUZZWORDS
Sell yourself on you CV
Created
Planned
Designed
Calculated
Improved
Counselled
Developed
Analysed
Delivered
Trained
Advised
Audited
Implemented
Directed
Solved
Referred
Observed
Consolidated
Diagnosed
Processed
Prescribed
Promoted
Supervised
Devised
Interviewed

Instructed
Sold
Consulted
Identified
Obtained
Distributed
Edited
Produced
Assisted
Supplied
Installed
Co-ordinated
Presented
Managed
Determined
Served
Studied
Ordered
Examined
Reviewed
Charted
Recorded
Organised
Prepared
Discovered

Negotiated
Completed
Evaluated
Performed
Instructed
Arranged
Wrote
Conducted
Increased
Maintained
Corresponded
Researched
Instituted
Provided
Collected
Networked
Improved
Invented
Lectured
Translated
Represented
Operated
Expanded
Interpreted
Assembled

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

The Creative CV Guide

is packed with new approaches, ideas and new material for today's
emerging creative professionals.
focuses on the reasons for sending the CV and the sector at which it
is aimed - from interior design and graphics, to fashion, photography
and architecture - to help students determine the content, style and
tone.
containsreal examples of creative CVs fromstudents and graduates
along with sample cover letters, emails and websites.

Thestudent workbrings the Creative CV Guide alive with

contemporary ideas and relevance to future students in
the creative arts.
Portsmouth University Library has copies of this and
also the Careers Department in Purple Door.

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

Examples of Showreels

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]

2012

Claire Sambrook - CREATIVE PLATFORMS UNIT HANDBOOK [email protected]