716 craft·design   ISSN:1835-1832

Pathways

Suggestions from down the track

An issue for all emerging makers is how exhibition work fits into the scheme of things when one is trying to make a living.

Blanche Tilden and Phoebe Porter write about starting up Studio Hacienda and the importance of showing work at exhibitions as a way of developing new ideas. Blanche says, "my production or 'living' work draws on the conceptual research and design development critical to the process of making exhibition work".

Read what else Blanche has discovered about starting up in practice.

Essential to their practice is the collaborative process. Phoebe notes, "If I offer ideas to someone about their work, technical or conceptual, I try to let go of any ownership of that input".

Read what Phoebe has to say about the collaborative process

Tom Moore from Adelaide echoes Blanche's views on the critical need for having regular shows as a way of obtaining public feedback. "For many years I have been developing exhibition work and occasionally showing in non-commercial craft galleries. It has taken a long time for me to get rolling with this."

Tom also affirms how collaboration can stimulate new ideas when he blogs about his fine glass and his video animations. "I am thinking about photography and film, usually I am paying these people to do what I like but they always come up with some good ideas that go into the mix".

Check out his glass, his drawings and his animations on the Pathways blog

In the media this month

• The Australia Council: A CEO's Reflections
  Jennifer Bott. Artshub
• Art school merger plan draws out critics
  Elizabeth Gosch. The Australian
• Art's classic controversy
  Christopher Allen. The Australian
• Anne Dunn and the Darwin Festival
  The Program

Craft Australia's events calendars

• Opportunities
• Projects
• Festivals
• Conferences
• Trade Fairs
• Exhibitions

Manufacture

Advice from the makers

Oliver Smith speaks of the need for recognising how things can change when moving from a studio environment into an industrial context. "When making unique objects another hour or an extra day doesn't seem like much if the object is then resolved. When there are multiples this sort of thinking can get you into trouble".

He goes on to note, "I have quickly found that I need to apply the same creativity and problem-solving I use in making unique objects to all aspects of the production design process".

Oliver writes about his visit to Melbourne and Freestyle

Bianca Looney affirms that time management and good organisation is essential. "Working with industry means that you've got to be as organised as possible so that what you do control goes smoothly and that you can then adapt to the 'challenges' that arise".

Also featured in Freestyle, Bianca talks about her new range of work

Marketing

Tips from the shopfloor

High Tea with Mrs Woo notes that the best advice they ever received was from Brian Parkes at Object who told them, "Say yes to everything."

They attribute their growing success to attending workshops and seminars, entering competitions, applying for grants and collaborating with other like-minded people. They say, "getting out there to meet as many people as possible is important".

Find out how they maintain their energy in the Marketing blog

Cesar Cueva also suggests that word of mouth is paramount to building a good business base. The success of Metalab has been stimulated by talk within the industry, conference attendance and targetted advertising in lifestyle and design publications.

Cesar advises that energy and long hours are needed at the start and he recommends training in small business basics.

Join Cesar checking out the festivities at State of Design in Melbourne

Export

Suggestions from our experts

Pippa Dickson suggests that her Design Island experience has given her some specific insights in the area of expanding into an export focus.

She notes that newcomers considering expansion into the export arena should focus on "professional development as well as public exposure and audience development" in order to grow their business.

See what Pippa says about the recent launch of New Horizons 2007

Kris Brankovic, from his industry partnership focus at FORM in Western Australia, echoes the absolute imperative of getting a good grounding in basic business operations.

"Understanding how to manage distribution networks or your tax status as an artist, or how to analyse profits and costs is fundamental to being in control of your business and being able to develop strategies to grow it."

Kris is also promoting the Freestyle show when he writes, "Freestyle reveals the personality and passion of Australian designers."

Kris talks about the benefits of being in such innovative programs

Videos

View the streaming videos from Tom Moore and Oliver Smith

Gallery

Students and emerging makers are invited to upload images of their work to the gallery and showcase their talent to a national and international audience.   Upload your image

Survey

Help us advocate for the sector by taking the survey

Resources

Exhibitions

Les Blakebrough: Ceramics
A video, made by Craft Australia, as part of the exhibition series 'Living Treasures: Masters of Australian Craft'.

Bombay Sapphire
Representing the work of Australia's finest emerging designers. Bombay Sapphire website

Freestyle
Bringing together the work and stories of 40 outstanding Australian designers. Tour itinary

Craft Australia exhibitions listing
An online calendar of national and international exhibitions for craft and design.

Manufacturing

AusIndustry
AusIndustry is the Australian Government's agency for delivering products, services and information that support industry, research and innovation.

NAVA
NAVA has a 'practical advice' section on their website that gives answers to the many commonly asked questions.

Marketing

ACDO network
The Australia Craft and Design Organisations (ACDO) network represents and promotes the professional craft and design sector.

Fuel for Arts
Fuel4arts provides practical information and advice to arts professionals.

Catapult
Catapult is the ABC Online's website about good ideas, invention and innovation.

Export

Craft Australia export Mailing List
Established to disseminate information about, and discuss, opportunities for the export of Australian contemporary craft and design.

Austrade
Austrade and TradeStart offer a package of free services, designed to assist small and medium-sized Australian enterprises.

Australian Institute of Export
The AIE assists Australian exporters and export service providers.

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