This paper reports upon very early findings from a three year ARC Discovery project exploring how online distribution is changing the environment for operating a creative micro-enterprise, with a specific focus on designer-makers. A key research question for the project is: what are the ‘self-making’ skills required to succeed in this competitive environment? In addition to interviews with peak organisations and established makers in the design craft sector, the project is keen to capture rich information on the experience of establishing oneself in professional practice immediately following graduation from tertiary study. A cohort of around 40 graduates from key national art/design/craft degrees will be approached to participate in annual 1-Up interviews across the life of the project (2015-2017) in order to identify the complex decision-making which underpins this critical moment in professional development. Unlike other studies which use Census or ABN registration records, this approach valuably captures data from those who may fail and/or choose to leave creative practice, generating invaluable information about failure as well as success. However, the process of identifying potential project participants revealed wide discrepancies between institutions in regards to how they approach final year exhibitions and catalogues as potential sites for student promotion and professional transitioning. Given the competitive creative career marketplace into which our graduates emerge, it will be argued here that across the sector more consistently outward-looking, digitally-engaged transitioning and promotional strategies need to be embedded in final year assessment activities to better prepare students for the professional challenges ahead.
Promoting the Making Self in the Creative Micro-Economy
Dr Jane Andrew and Prof Susan Luckman
2015 Conference