Welcome to Alison Branagan Creative Consultancy

Entrepreneurship and business start-up for the visual arts and creative industries

From the Blog…

Books for Artists & Designers

If you are looking for business and enterprise books for artists and designers, please visit the Books page.

Making Sense of Business is an entertaining enterprise skills book with a foreword by Sir James Dyson. See The Essential Guide to Business for Artists and Designers Revised and Updated for 2017 and A Pocket Business Guide for Artists and Designers

Business Advice

Advice sessions are available with Alison to discuss current business issues or seek guidance on business planning.

Creative Consultancy

Alison’s consultancy services assist organisations and companies who require creative approaches to projects.

Entrepreneurship

With proven expertise in entrepreneurial and presentation skills, Alison offers a range of inspirational workshops & courses.

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Yesterday, I was at the world's newest art school, The Art Academy London at Bankside. They are now open for fine art, sculpture, portrait degrees, and short courses. I was working with third year students to prepare them for their final research report. To interview artists or other art professionals such as arts consultants, curators, gallery owners, etc. is not an easy task. What questions do you need to ask? How are they phrased? When should they be asked? Creating a considered questionnaire and a lively in-person rapport are important and valuable skills. #theartacademylondon #theartacademy #artacademy #artschool #artcollege #artstudents #artists #art #professionaldevelopment #professionalpractice #Bankside #artdegrees #London #fineart #portraitpainting #sculpture #portrait #interviewing #visualart
It's been a while since I have posted. So this is to just to make sure that you know I'm not dead or anything. Though I did had a near miss with him in 2023. As a seasonal topic and I have written a blog about the importance of Artists' Legacies. It is an unfortunate eventuality that we all will die at some point. No one wants to think about this, but as an artist if you are not clear in your will who will inherit your artworks, intellectual property, licensed income, and resale rights then your children, wider family or friends may end up losing out. Likewise, if you haven’t kept accurate records of where your work is, then frankly who has? If you wish to read more please visit my website, link in the bio. Bye for now...A xxx #art #artists #designers #makers #craft #photography #copyright #DACS #resaleright #resalerights #will #artistlegacy #artistlegacy🧡 #Sunflowers #vincentvangogh #paintings #prints #sculptures #photographs #illustration #designs #artsadmin #artquest #entrepreneurship #UAL #centralsaintmartins
We have just wrapped up another Entrepreneurship for Creatives Summer School at Central Saint Martins, Guest Speakers included Kerry Lemon, (pictured) Julian Sharpe, #tpbennett and Phil & Tanya Taylor founders of Harrow and Green. Interesting entrepreneurial topics were discussed, including from Julian Sharpe, Senior Partner at TP Bennett, quote in regard to pitching for commissions - 'The difference between coming first and second is tiny, because everyone is so good' plus 'When presenting to clients to remember the bigger things, such as their core brand values' @harrowandgreen @ualshortcourses @kerrylemonart @kerryannelemon @juliancsharpe @tpbennettllp Thank you to all our speakers. Entrepreneurship for Creatives runs live and online for four days from 1st August, enrolling now. #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #creative #artists #illustration #animation #designers #makers #photographers #filmmakers #fashion #interiordesign #architecture #ai #innovation #negotiation #presentation #vision #risk #copyright #design rights #ip #publicitystunts #creativemarketing #trends #business #ual #centralsaintmartins #shortcourse
We have just wrapped up another Entrepreneurship for Creatives Summer School at Central Saint Martins, Guest Speakers included Kerry Lemon, (pictured) Julian Sharpe, (TP Bennett) and Phil & Tanya Taylor founders of Harrow and Green. Interesting entrepreneurial topics were discussed, including from #kerrylemon quote - 'Having a website or an Instagram account is not a marketing strategy' and 'If you want to do what you love for a living you need to think about money and write a businness plan' @harrowandgreen @ualshortcourses @kerrylemonart @kerryannelemon @juliancsharpe Thank you to all our speakers. Entrepreneurship for Creatives runs live and online for four days from 1st August, enrolling now. #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #creative #artists #illustration #animation #designers #makers #photographers #filmmakers #fashion #interiordesign #architecture #ai #innovation #negotiation #presentation #vision #risk #copyright #design rights #ip #publicitystunts #creativemarketing #trends #business #ual #centralsaintmartins #shortcourse
We have just wrapped up another Entrepreneurship for Creatives Summer School at Central Saint Martins, Guest Speakers included Kerry Lemon, Julian Sharpe (TP Bennett), and Phil & Tanya Taylor founders of #harrowandgreen (pictured). Interesting entrepreneurial topics were discussed, including 'Being small and the importance of the personal touch' (PT&TT) Plus AI amongst other advancements, were all mused upon in relation to our ever evolving world. @harrowandgreen @ualshortcourses @kerrylemonart @kerryannelemon @juliancsharpe Thank you to our guest speakers. Entrepreneurship for Creatives runs live and online for four days from 1st August, enrolling now. #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #creative #artists #illustration #animation #designers #makers #photographers #filmmakers #fashion #interiordesign #architecture #ai #innovation #negotiation #presentation #vision #risk #copyright #design rights #ip #publicitystunts #creativemarketing #trends #business #ual #centralsaintmartins #shortcourse
Hi everyone, it's been a bit of a strange year for me thus far a couple of unexpected shocks and crises to cope with. We all have them from time to time. I've written a blog post about Collaboration and Collectives. When being a self-employed creative from any sector, often more progress or impact can be made when joining up with others, even on a temporary basis. When a fishing trawler is holed below the waterline, it's useful to have a crew to help scoop out water or abandon the ship completely. If my great grandfather had not survived such an incident off the coast of Iceland well over a century ago, I would not be here. So, though occasionally difficult to work with others, such activities as exhibitions, pop-up galleries, art projects, etc. can happen on a scale that would be out of reach for the sole creator. Equally, in times of uncertainty, strength can be gained in numbers. Entrepreneurship for Creatives, Central Saint Martins, Summer schools in July and August 2023 are enrolling now. It's an opportunity to meet new creatives like yourself from around the world. Please see my website for the blog and info about up and coming courses. #collectives #collaboration #art #artists #design #designers #craft #makers #photography #Photographers #film #filmmskers #fashion #Painting #Painters #sculpture #sculptors #screenprinting #entrepreneurship #enterprise #creatives #creators #mycsm #summerschool #centralsaintmartins #exhibition #artproject #popup #popupshop #communityart
This is a photograph of my desk today. I am extremely sad about the death of our truly marvellous Queen. The open edition print above my desk (not an original alas) is by the American artist Dune Shue. I purchased the work some time ago now. I'm not sure who took this photograph, which I guess was in 1952. Possibly Cecil Beaton or Dorothy Wilding? If anyone knows please let me know. What I find striking about the print is, (yes I do find it vaguely reminiscent of Jamie Reid's artwork for the Sex Pistols 'God Save the Queen' single cover,) that Elizabeth is looking directly into the eye of the camera lens or looking at the viewer. As one era ends a new one begins. We are living through the most extraordinary times, with Covid, war, and the cost of living crisis. Let us hope we are able to get through this, and forge a brighter future together. #elizabeth #elizabethii #queen #queenelizabeth #queenelizabethii #unitedkingdom #crown #monarch #godsavethequeen #windsor #royalfamily #royal #kingcharles #kingcharlesiii #charlesiii #daneshue #unionflag #unionjack #coronation ...ps. I did tidy up.
Entrepreneurship for Creatives Summer Schools at Central Saint Martins. This are some snaps from day 3 of the Summer school a design for fantastic stars and a complete animal bag with a copyright lolly! Thanx to @knit.tiff_studio for thee marvellous 🦕🦖🐲 bag design 👏🏽👏🏿👏🏻👏👏🏼👏🏽 Thank you again to Guest Speakers (Granary Square) @kerryannelemon @kerrylemonart - Artist @taskyprianou - Photographer Julian Sharpe, Senior Partner, Architect @tpbennettllp -  There is also an online #csm Entrepreneurship for Creatives starting online from Tuesday 26th July for four days. Please see details and link below. We explore lots of rare subjects all in one course, #presentation #publicitystunt #creativemarketing #networking #selling #pitching #impact #vision #negotiation #trends #ip #copyright #law #risk and more. Its no good having a brilliant plan if you don't have the chutzpah to do it. Entrepreneurship for Creatives (Online) Guest Speakers (Online) Enrolling now! July 26th to 29th 2022 (Starts on a Tuesday) Tanya & Phil Taylor founders of @harrowandgreen Craig Bilham @craigbilham - filmmaker Guest spot and legal questions answered from IP expert  Robert MacGinn from Laytons LLP  @robert_macginn @ualshortcourses https://www.arts.ac.uk/subjects/business-and-management-and-science/short-courses/entrepreneurship-and-innovation/entrepreneurship-for-creatives-csm #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurlife #entrepreneur #artists #illustrators #designers #makers #photographers #filmmakers #mycsm #centralsaintmartins #shortcourse  #business #summerschool 10% off for all former UAL students/alumni for UAL short courses - many of which are onsite and also online.
Entrepreneurship for Creatives Summer Schools at Central Saint Martins. #granarysquare  Thank you to Guest Speakers (Granary Square) July 11th to 14th  2022 @kerryannelemon @kerrylemonart - Artist @taskyprianou - Photographer Julian Sharpe, Senior Partner, Architect @tpbennettllp -  Julian Sharpe (featured) spoke about the importance of first impressions and setting the right tone before you even start making a pitch or presentation. Kerry Lemon talked about the importance of making your own opportunities, and thus avoid competing with other artists, designers or creatives. Tas Kyprianou made the case for networking across a broad spectrum of clients and importance of being confident in your pricing. There is also an online #csm Entrepreneurship for Creatives starting online from Tuesday 26th July for four days. Please see details and link below. We explore lots of rare subjects all in one course, #presentation #publicitystunt #creativemarketing #networking #selling #pitching #impact #vision #negotiation #trends #ip #copyright #law #risk and more. Its no good having a brilliant plan if you don't have the chutzpah to do it. Entrepreneurship for Creatives (Online) Guest Speakers (Online) Enrolling now! July 26th to 29th 2022 (Starts on a Tuesday) Tanya & Phil Taylor founders of @harrowandgreen Craig Bilham @craigbilham - filmmaker Guest spot and legal questions answered from IP expert  Robert MacGinn from Laytons LLP  @robert_macginn @ualshortcourses https://www.arts.ac.uk/subjects/business-and-management-and-science/short-courses/entrepreneurship-and-innovation/entrepreneurship-for-creatives-csm #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurlife #entrepreneur #artists #illustrators #designers #makers #photographers #filmmakers #mycsm #centralsaintmartins #shortcourse  #business #summerschool 10% off for all former UAL students/alumni for UAL short courses - many of which are onsite and also online.

The Essential Guide to Business for Artists & Designers, Revised & Updated 2014. Photo Credit: Tas Kyprianou

Entrepreneurship for Creatives Central Saint Martins short courses and summer schools in self-promotion, entrepreneurship and business

The Royal School of Needlework Presentation Skills: How to engage with visitors and clients

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship for Creatives Group photograph Summer School at Central Saint Martins, Granary Square, London.

UAL Careers and Employability Workshops An alumni presentation skills for public speaking workshop at Chelsea

Design Trust Event at New Designers A talk for the New Designers to recent applied arts and contemporary craft graduates, hosted by The Design Trust.

Workshop, Getting Started, The Goldsmiths’ Centre Business Start-up and Vision Workshop at The Goldsmiths’ Centre

UCA Workshop on Copyright and Design Right Working with students and graduates to raise their awareness about IP matters

Entrepreneurship Students – Creative Selling Exercise Photo Credit: Vishal Kumarcaswamy