Creative Technologies Professionalism

 What do we mean by networking? Not to be confused with computer networking, which is where a computer is connected to a network, today we are going to discuss another type of networking, business networking .  Image Via Investopedia Professionals will network to expand their business acquaintances within their specific discipline area. Why is networking important in the creative industries? Networking within the creative industries, and more specifically, the gaming industry is vital to progress in your career. It has many benefits for your professional life and personal development. Some of these benefits include:     Discovering new job positions     Generating new ideas     Meeting new people     Growing your confidence     Building your reputation     Finding opportunities to collaborate with other professionals     Keeping up to date with advancements in your industry     Receiving co...

  What do we mean by the term IP? IP rights, otherwise known as Intellectual Property rights, are a form of legal protection over creative works. An IP is a form of patent and can be obtained through an IP lawyer. Creations of our mind are known as intangible rights and refer to non-physical property.   Image Via wazirsingh.com Why do IP rights in the creative industries matter? In the field of gaming, new ideas are conceived daily. New ideas fall under the umbrella of expressive arts, and what are video games if not expressive art?  IP rights are something we should most definitely consider using to protect our creative ideas to prevent them from being copied. In a fast-moving industry of technology and gaming, protecting your ideas gives them value. How? Having IP rights allows you to share your ideas with potential employers without giving them the right to use them. When you have a unique and innovative idea, and you share that idea with other professionals,...

  What does it mean to be a freelancer? A freelancer is an independent contractor, they work on individual contracts for companies, but are not employed by them. A freelancer carries out specific jobs to completion and then moves on to another job, either with the same company or with another. Freelancing allows a certain level of freedom in that you can choose your own hours, which jobs you work on and set your own rates. Key skills required of a freelancer Being self-employed needs a level of dedication and self-discipline. You must be able to complete tasks to a deadline and to a high standard without the direction from a superior that you would have if you worked in a company.  Time management is very important for a freelancer, as a self-employed person you can take days off whenever you like but if this starts to affect the quality of your work or means your work isn’t completed on time this will have a negative effect on your relationship with the client and theref...

Game development is a huge global industry. It is made up of professionals from a variety of disciplines such as quality assurance testers, artists, animators, programmers, designers, project managers, marketers and many more, each playing a significant role in the quality and distribution of the final product. This multidisciplinary team must work together in a professional manner to uphold the integrity of the industry. What is professionalism? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary,  professionalism   is defined as follows: 1.    The conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person. 2.    The following of a profession (such as athletics) for gain or livelihood. “ Professionalism is a combination of traits, skills, behaviours, and good judgment expected from an individual well-trained and well-adjusted to their career. Professionalism also involves adhering to a set of standards that are commonly pract...

  How do you establish an online presence? In this blog, I will be discussing the importance of establishing an online presence for success in the creative industries and how to go about this, specifically for those intending on a career in the games industry. I will cover topics such as networking, the benefits of various online platforms, how to get noticed by potential employers, how often you should update your portfolio and what to include. Networking Building a network is an important aspect of advancing your career and professional reputation. Benefits of networking include: meeting new people boosting your confidence generating new ideas gaining deeper insight into your field finding new opportunities Image by Shutterstock Which platform and why? There are many platforms now available to us online. I've chosen a few that I think are worth noting and shared them below: LinkedIn is a fantastic professional networking platform. It is a great way to keep up to date with ...