Professionalism

AMATEUR:

A person who engages in a pursuit, usually in sport,
on an unpaid basis. 

SEMI-PROFESSIONAL:

Receiving payment for an activity but not relying entirely on it
for a living. 

PROFESSIONAL:

Relating to work that needs specialist training and education

In the ‘early’ days of the Creative Industries it was simply known as ‘Commercial Art’
Our work is often used to sell, promote, explain, narrate and inform.

‘Commercial artists’ are typically employed by advertising agencies, newspapers, magazines, graphic design firms, television studios and similar businesses. 

We are now seen as professionals in our own right, Graphic Design was only named in 1922.

SO WHAT DO WE NEED?

CLIENTS??

This simply means creating work for someone else but throws up more problems (to be solved) in so much as creativity is subjective and is open to likes and dislikes.

PERSONAL TASTE....

Colour preference
Committee thinking
Trend
Cultural and ethnic acceptance 
Personality clashes

You could be your own client?

What could you hope to achieve....
Your work recognised
You being recognised as creative
Seeing your name in lights
Respect for your approach
Fame
Money

But the downsides to this...
Not being able to get work
Getting only poor quality clients
Clients who don't listen to good advice
Communication problems/breakdowns
Poor and negotiated outcomes
Not getting paid for work

So what can help this?
Getting a system/practice in place
Manifesto
Mission Statement
This will show how you work and conduct business from the outset

MISSON STATEMENT: 

A mission statement is a short paragraph used by business to explain in simple and concise terms its purpose for being. 

MANIFESTO

A published verbal declaration of the intentions, motives, or views of the issuer.