Central Saint Martins

Collaboration and Collectives

Collectives can be formed by a group of artists, makers, or photographers or other creatives. They can be temporary in nature, lasting from a couple of months to many years. Some go on to form more permanent cooperatives, social enterprises, charities, others become partnerships or private limited companies. They can be small and localise or equally national and international.

It is best to have a basic agreement in place with all those involved and agree various aims and objectives. Collectives often come together to put on group exhibitions, pop-up shops, or run art projects. Equally they may come together for some other reason, such as art activism for social good or other issues such as technology or environmental concerns.

If the collective is planning to collaborate creatively i.e. make things together, create murals or other artist works then it would be worth having an agreement in place regarding copyright. For instance, if an artwork, film, or book is made together then the copyright would be shared between you. Copyright in most creative works last life plus 70 years. Therefore, you need to get this aspect agreed to avoid disagreements or fallings out later. For example, you might create a work which is an innovation and could be commercially exploited, but as a group you did not realise this might be an outcome at the start.

Navigators Art Collective Pop-up Art Gallery, Created in York, in Coney Street, York

If you plan to collaborate on a commercial creative project from the start, then I would advise having a ‘Joint Venture’ agreement drawn up (Law of England and Wales if all based in England or Wales) by a solicitor. Though there are templates available online, I would have it professionally drawn up. There could be many liabilities e,g. insurance issues, copyright matters such as future exploitation, risk of profit and loss, etc.

In my experience working as a group can have its pros and cons. I think you can achieve greater things when working together as a collective, sometimes achieving desired outcomes at speed and sometimes not. It can be slower, but the end result has more impact in terms of achievement as a whole and progressing your own art practice or other exigent objectives.

Example Collectives
Peepshow (Started as a collective which is now a private limited company)
Digital Maker Collective (A loose group of UAL staff and students)
The Onion Collective (Social enterprise Community Interest Company)
Project Art Works (Registered Charity)
In Public (international group of photographers)
The Southwest Collective (Private Limited Company)

Collectives
Go Founder
eHow
(Though (ehow) is a US article the same situation applies here)
Unincorporated Organisations
Net Lawman
NCVO
Cooperatives
FCA
Co-ops
Useful websites
Artquest How To
Artquest Art Law Co-operatives
Companies House
Partnerships HMRC

If you would like to attend one of my Entrepreneurship for Creatives Summer Schools at Central Saint Martins, Granary Square Building, then I would be delighted to meet you. There are both onsite and online options available.

The Art Of Promotion by Post…

It’s been a long time since I last posted, well, all I can say I nearly never posted again after my run in with Little Miss Covid last year.

Today I thought I would turn my attention to much brighter topics. I believe that many people’s value systems have changed over the last two years. Health, wellbeing, friends, family, small acts of kindness and thoughtfulness have been the mood board of the early 2020s…well until this terrible and frightening war has broken out in Europe. I am sure some us now secretly yearn for those hedonistic dizzy hazy days at the height of the pandemic…but I digress.

I was going to write a blog about returning to a more personal approach with marketing, back to phone or zoom calls and posting beautiful creative paper art through to post to capture the attention of potential clients, and remain connected to and thanking current ones. People are returning back to studios and offices, though Covid is still very much with us. However, many are still only partially returned to workplaces and now with the new fuel crisis it is likely once again drivers will be asked to reduce journeys due to the spiralling of petrol and diesel, but also the financial squeeze of rocketing gas and electric costs.

Marketing material sent as an introduction or a thank you, must have impact, be memorable, delightful, and impressive. Designed and made by artist/designer Cintia Bertaccini

However, as they say…nothing ventured nothing gained…sending promotional materials by post is slow, its not like social media at all, but you can link it to your social media activity and content. A good example of this is Nikki Groom, known as Miss Magpie Fashion Spy on Twitter and Instagram. She often posts photographs of her beautiful creative promotional materials on Twitter. The thing about being a bit more creative, not simply dispatching postcards or packs of your work, is more importantly it demonstrates your imagination. Whether, creatively designed stationery, (Papergang) beautiful books of your work, (Blurb) or paper art, paper engineering and origami are all options. Equally, once you have checked with the art director, business, or media concerned if they would like to receive some materials, is then the opportunity to follow up. So if you don’t hear anything back after a week, you could send them an email or better still pick the phone up and call them. (Avoid Mondays and Fridays) Have some rapport building positive vibe comments ready and see if they would be willing to consider you for future projects.

Yes I know social media, films, videos, reels, podcasts, gifs are great, but perhaps it is time for that personal touch once again…take great care with your presentation and packaging. Neatly handwrite the name of the person and their role/job title. Commission a gifted calligrapher or someone with friendly handwriting, especially if your handwriting looks like anything like mine. Illustrate or decorate the envelop or box. Printed ink stamps are also popular visit Blade Rubber Stamps or Craft You can have your own images, drawings or designs made into ink stamps. Never send anything precious or expensive through the post if you are not sure if they will be there to pick it up. I have heard that some publishers have simply binned promo packs as most of their staff work form home, and there is no one to look at it on site.

I thought of writing lots of words…but instead…I think it is better for you see for yourself. So I have included links to various creative specialists in this field, people who know how to paper engineer or create original origami. I’ve include some sources of inspiration, and if you are looking for a complete list of printers, photographers, etc. then take a browse through Artquest Equally in my book The Essential Guide to Business for Artists and Designers in chapters 7 and 8 I have included a range of marketing resources and creative printers you can contact for sample packs and quotes.

Cintia Bertaccini (Super Star) is also on Instagram

The Paper Artist Collective (Constellation of Stars) are also on Instagram

Rob Ryan (A Supernova) Fantastic paper artist and produces beautiful screen prints and cards and is also on Instagram

Paul Jackson, is a bit social media shy, though the genius is on Facebook

Paul Jackson has produced over 40 books inspirational books with Laurence King.

http://www.origami-artist.com

https://www.laurenc eking.com/product/superstars/

Alison Branagan (A twinkly star) is also on Instagram

Always delighted to be invited to write for this very famous publication.

Please read my contribution – How to Make a Living: Money Matters, pages 488s – 491 Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook 2022

Available from local libraries if a bit skint. You can also download this as an eBook or subscribe to the material online

Book News: Latvian Translation & English Version Reprint December 2019

With the help of the Latvian Patent Office and the Latvian Designers The Essential Guide to Business for Artists and Designers has been translated and published in Latvian.

Jumava have published the work and you can buy copies from their website. I spent a couple of days in Riga after the launch event, I posted some of my photos on my Instagram feed of some of my adventures. Walking around the old town this wonderful place reminded me of the UK in the 1980s. Interestingly English and American rock music is really popular in Latvia and its played everywhere, on the radio, in bars, cafes and restaurants.

It’s interesting to see the pages translated into the Latvian language. This is an image from the Fold organisation’s website.

On 18th October 2019 I made a speech and gave a talk at the Latvian Design Fair, Design Isle In Riga. I also talked about entrepreneurial skills and Intellectual Property. I also had the honour to meet Andrejs Broks President of the Latvian Designers. I posted a link to my speech below and other useful links. I also met designer Inese Lapiņa, you can see some of her fabulous innovative lounger sofas/day beds via Facebook #Dusis

The Latvian Patent Office Plan to give copies of the translation of the book to all the art schools and elementary schools in Latvia. To help prepare talented teenagers and art students for setting up an arts practice, design studio or creative business. The book is also available to purchase from Igramata.

New December 2019 reprint of the English second edition

There is a new slightly updated reprint of the second edition of The Essential Guide to Business for Artists and Designers now available. Published by Bloomsbury Visual Arts and reprinted in December 2019, please not this version has a new ISBN number 9781350153899. If you go to the Bloomsbury website you will find they are offering a 30% discount that’s £8.40 off the marked price. An excellent guide for yourself or a creative friend or relative.

Whatever happened to my lost project…

In 2005 I developed, with the help of an illustrator, an exciting addition to the Little Miss and Mr Men characters, originally created by Roger Hargreaves in 1960s.

Little Miss Entrepreneur was not only a character but also a complete story, which we made up as a mock up book in 2006.

We approached the original rights holders Chorion in 2006 with our idea and we received back a ‘we’ll keep you letter on file’ letter. Chorion later went bankrupt so we tried again making approaches to the Mr Men Company (a Sanrio Company).

We made a number of approaches with our concept between 2012 and 2016 to the new rights owners. We have an acknowledgement of a spread of images we sent and tentative interest expressed by them via email in 2012. However, there has been no response to our later phone calls, emails or letters.

In 2018 Thoip (a Sanrio Company) launched a new character and story called Little Miss Inventor. Close friends of ours who were aware of our original character idea alerted us straight away to this character being unveiled.

It is a real shame Little Miss Entrepreneur’s story was not taken on by these companies, and for copyright reasons we cannot publish our own story. Though we have repeatedly asked for permission or a license to do so Sanrio have not engaged.

I did write a number of letters in 2013 explaining the growth in enterprise education at early school level. Several years ago Lord Young ran his very successful ‘Fiver Challenge’ and that the character was right for this audience in this modern age. More recently there has been a huge interest in entrepreneurial teaching in schools, especially in Wales (Professor Andy Penaluna).

So, I regard Little Miss Entrepreneur as my lost project…she maybe lost but definitely not forgotten,

Perhaps she was ahead of her time, as innovators so often are. It is real shame Sanrio are not interested in our story, as we believe Little Miss Inventor and Little Miss Entrepreneur could be great friends, if they ever met and possibly they could even have a very prosperous future together!

Of interest – a recent report The Future Founders written by the Octopus Group, The Entrepreneurs Network and ComRes

‘57% of young people could not name an entrepreneur who inspires them. Of those who could, Lord Sugar was the most popular choice (7.9%), closely followed by Richard Branson (6.5%). Elon Musk came third with 2.6%. Bill Gates (2.2%) and Steve Jobs (1.7%) were also named repeatedly. Of those who gave an answer, Kylie Jenner was the most commonly named female entrepreneur (1.1%)’

Reflections on the Future….

About 17 years ago, on the evening of the opening night of the Tate Modern, I was one of the protesters standing outside. For those of you who don’t know there were many artists demonstrating about all sorts of issues, from the the dramatic change in the direction of British Art, the unwelcome influence of Saatchi, the vast expense of the project, to the poverty of many artists living and working in London.

Then one day soon after, I popped in and still found myself in there at 10pm at night, and I witnessed a long queue of visitors, in the beautiful well stocked Tate Modern bookshop, clutching armfuls of books about art.

It was a stand still moment, as I stood there, awestruck in my jumble sale clothes, and worn-out shoes. What an earth was going on? After being used to wondering around the old Charing Cross Road Foyles’ bookshop, with its dormant slient floors devoid of life and dusty chaotic negleted shelves.

As I was passing through London last month I decided to pop in to the Tate Modern bookshop once again, one of many frequent visits over the years, and I discovered a couple of copies of my latest book on the shelf. Again I had one of those moments.

Over recent weeks I’ve spotted art students with copies of my book borrowed from libraries and also received a written note from a student after a recent lecture, letting me know they had ordered the book from Amazon during the break…

So thank you, and hope you both find a bright and fantastic future…

Alison Branagan’s Entrepreneurship for Creatives’ Summer School is running this July, for more info and to book please touch through to Central Saint Martins

Hello to The New! Out Soon in 2017!

This is to let everyone know the exciting news that the second edition of The Essential Guide to Business for Artists and Designers ISBN 978-1474250559 will be out soon and is available on pre-order. At over 95,000 words this is what the manuscript looked like a couple of months ago…

This new publication, published by Bloomsbury Academic has been fully revsied, with three additional chapters on websites, blogs and social media, innovation and trends and ideas for growth. With new illustrated mindmaps, resources, exercises, photographs, diagrams, and profiles of artists and designers. As you can see from the beautiful renders by BVN Ceative the book has a new from cover by Tumanyan.

This publication has started to become core reading on many degree and post graduatecourses, and this super fan movie was made by Rebecca Skeels who is subject leader for the Postgraduate and Masters Programmes at UCA Farnham demonstrating how students have made good use of their inhouse copy.

This book is ideal for a wide range of artists, designers, makers, photographers and illustrators. The second edition embraces our new world of globalisation, digitalisation, and connectivity. It has been written to embrace readers from different starting points, whether you have studied at Art College or not, are just thinking about it, have got started or have been going for some time.

Stop Press: Artquest has just published my revised business start-up guide for artists, makers and photographers The 7 Steps to Business Start-up

2066 and all that….

In about 50 years time I’ll be nearly 100, many readers of this blog may be nearing receiving their telegram from the queen by 2086. It’s going to be a long life for most of us and its time to imagine what sort of future you would like for yourself.

In this new post Brexit era…well after 2019 at the earliest, trading conditions for the visual arts and creative industries could be uncertain. Leading up the vote on the 23rd June 2016, many graphic designers and photographers were finding work was drying up. I’ve have news for everyone, the next 24 months may still be tough.

If you are in a down period, get on with that admin, filing, bookkeeping, Tax Return, infographic that CV, telephone that old client and revamp your website. Yes… even have a go with that free LinkedIn Premium trial, see what can come of expanding your professional networks.

Invest money in your business, but do so wisely, avoid unnecessary expense as the next year could be hard for some of us. If you are on a low income check to see if you are eligible for Tax Credits or other support.

Perhaps its time to try a different approach, such as a fresh marketing plan, a new business strategy, or give that thing… ago…(you know that ‘ big thing’ at the bottom of your to do list). Large projects often aren’t economical at the time, but they can raise your profile, attract media attention and more interesting opportunities in the long term.

If you need a bit of help, there are a couple of courses running at Central Saint Martins: Entrepreneurship for Creatives and Business Start-up for Creatives at Granary Square and two online courses Business Start-up for Creatives and Self-Promotion for Creatives

I’m also available for one-to-ones, please email me at alison@alisonbranagan.com

Thanks to Tim Bradford for his illustrations

Have a great rest of the summer and I hope exciting things happen soon…I’ve been working on a huge project for the last 18 months which could revolutionise business start-up education within the visual arts….all will be revealed shortly.

Central Saint Martins: Routes to Succcess

If you are looking for a way to launch your art, craft practice, or design business than look no further. This summer there are a number of popular business, entrepreneurship and self-promotion Summer School courses which I run at the Central Saint Martins Kings Cross Campus in Granary Square, which are also available online.

Students who have attended these courses in the past have gone on to set up innovative, experimental and commercial companies. Each course has a number of guest speakers, including one of the team from Silverman Sherliker LLP a top London Intellectual Property firm.

To read more about the success of profiled students from all courses I run at Central Saint Martins please visit the blog.

The Art of Marketing on a Budget

This month I gave a workshop for Wandsworth Enterprise Week about marketing on a tight budget.

Wandsworth Enterprise Week Brochure 2016

Little cheeky tweet of #WEW16 brochure

Stand out in a crowd…Have Impact!

Hee hee! My observation is that the art of making the best use of limited resources is to concentrate on the impact of your marketing materials and strategy. Sending a 1000 eNewsletters to businesses you don’t know may work against you and is also illegal. Many start-ups expect instant results, you need to spend more time and effort developing relationships with potential clients and customers. Better to focus on 50 target businesses or individuals with a quality approach than a quick mass spam attack.

Some of my key tips are, develop relationships with other businesses or people in your industry and build your networks. Consider your own sense of presence, stand out and be remembered, be creative in the way you promote yourself. Get the design of your branding and design format right, hire professional photographers, look for discount offers from printers, most have discount offers every month.

Understanding how to draft a timeline for a media/marketing campaign is crucial, when to do what. We cover this in my self-promotion courses at Central Saint Martins. Photograph by Toni Marshall

Spend time really developing relationships with businesses or people in your industry. Word-of-mouth recommendation either face-to-face or a friendly shout out on social media is the best type of promotion money can’t buy.

Also timing, many self-employed artists, designers, photographers or creative businesses often fail to realise how much time you have to allow to implement a media campaign, often even weekly publications need to you approach them 10 weeks in advance. Online portals and bloggers can move and react quickly to approaches, but often publishers with a large numbers of subscribers will time the posting of online content with the in print editions of newspapers, magazines or periodicals.

If you would like to learn more about business start-up, self-promotion and entrepreneurship I run a number of online and college based courses for Central Saint Martins. If you would like to have a one-to-one Skype session please contact me

Summer Schools at Central Saint Martins, Granary Square, London

Business Start-up for Creatives, Self- Promotion for Creatives and Entrepreneurship for Creatives

Live and Online

Business Start-up for Creatives, Self-Promotion for Creatives and Entrepreneurship for Creatives

Hey! Don’t Be Grey, Have…Impact!

Hello everyone…I just thought I would tell you what I’ve learned from teaching my Business, Entrepreneurship and Self-Promotion Courses over this summer at Central Saint Martins in London. The theme of presentation, packaging and impact reoccurred in several ways, as mentioned in talks by speakers such as Alex Brownless from Arts Thread, ‘don’t be grey’ he said, in the creative industries you have to stand out and have impact. Alana Pryce Tojcic, arts marketing specialist from The October Gallery, Matt Dowling founder of The Freelancer Club and Kathleen Hills, a leading ceramic and lighting designer, talked about the importance of stunning photographs, and the different types of images you need to commission to gain paid work or attract attention in the media. Interior designer Audrey Whelan showed how to communicate design ideas to clients remotely. Billy Jenks, a talented IP solicitor from Silverman Sherliker, who also sponsor the course, showed screen shots of trademarked colours and most of the students instantly knew which brands they represented.

During the summer I was also coincidently reading Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink where he discusses several related stories about packaging and impact, he discusses for instance the Christian Brothers and E & J bandy story. Christian Brothers found they were losing sales to E & J and couldn’t work out why, as all their research demonstrated in taste tests that brandy drinkers prefered their beverage over E & J, yet Christian Brothers were losing market share fast. It transpired that, even when the Christian Brothers put their own brandy into E & J bottles, people still said they preferred E & J. It turned out that customers actually just liked the look of the E & J bottle more than the Christian Brothers one. Solution, new bottle design, C B regain their market share.

He also outlined the fascinating research by the highly respected psychologist Sheena Iynger, Google her ‘Jam Study’ to find out more. But in short, in a jam selling experiment, when she displayed 24 different jams, of which 3% of passersby purchased jam, but when she displayed a selection of only six jams 30% of passersby bought jam.

This year I also had a rebrand by my designer Alana Biviano of BVN Creative, cards printed my Meltoma Designs on 600 gsm card. Some snaps below shows a comparison between the old and new cards. The new design has a more limited, though richly coloured palette, with integrated contact and social media icon design. I believe this new design with a slightly revised logo has a more memorable contemporary look and feel.

If you are looking for a live and online Business Start-up Course, (starts this month at Central Saint Martins) then please enrol on Business Start-up for Creatives. If you think you need to learn more about self-promotion or wish to revamp your current marketing strategy then there is another specialist online course running this term, Self-Promotion for Creatives (also starts this month). Equally I am available for one-to-one advice sessions in person or via Skype. You are most welcome to email me at alison@alisonbranagan.com if you wish to book a session.