7 Networking Tips for Art and Design Students

Launching a successful career in art and design is undoubtedly a challenge. On top of needing endless talent and energy, you'll need to network as much as possible, apply for residencies, complete freelance work and stay in touch with your university friends. Don't lose heart though! Hang in there. Hang in there, and read on for seven networking tips that could change your life.

1. Attend art and design conferences When it comes to building relationships, you can't beat the in-person element. Attending art and design conferences is the perfect way to expand your professional network, keep up with trends in your field, and discover new creative roles. These events are also an opportunity to meet representatives from famous art schools and discuss opportunities to develop your skills through postgraduate study.

For those in and around New York City, the 105th CAA Annual Conference, held from 15–18 February at the Hilton Midtown New York, is a chance to talk about your work, goals, admissions, and the Royal College of Art with RCA professors Jane Pavitt and Anne Toomey. Contact [email protected] to book a one-to-one appointment.

2. Perfect your business card Remember: your business card is an opportunity to elevate your image and showcase your abilities — but the most important thing is to make sure your contact information is legible and that the card is a standard size. You can design it yourself, or hire a creative service like Moo or Vista Print to do it for you. Keep your cards in a holder so they don't get crumpled, and only hand them out at the end of a relevant conversation.

3. Prepare your elevator pitch When asked to talk about your work, have you ever panicked and answered something incomprehensible/clichéd/awkward? "Um, I don't really know, I paint…"

If that sounds like you: stop! If you're serious about your art…

If you're serious about your art career, you should be able to string together a few sentences about your work that spark interest in potential mentors, clients, employers, collaborators and more.

Work out what makes your art distinctive, what makes it interesting to a particular audience, or what gives it value in the art world or wider society. What's the best feedback you've ever received, or the most creative project you've worked on? What direction do you see yourself heading in, and what impact do you want to have? What are the unifying threads in your work?

Now condense that into a few short bullet points, ready to impress in 30 seconds next time you have the chance.

4. Use social media to showcase your work Everyone else is doing it successfully, so why aren't you? Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are excellent tools for emerging artists who want to be discovered online, showcase their talent, build connections, present themselves in the professional identity they aspire to, and find out about creative vacancies in real time. Combining online networking with in-person meetings will greatly expand your reach.

5. Leave your introverted side at home If you only stick to your friends and avoid making new connections, there's no point attending networking events. Set yourself a rule to spend at least one hour talking to people you've never met before. Introduce yourself to someone nearby and ask about their work, background and ambitions. Smile, make eye contact, try out your elevator pitch, exchange business cards, and then…

6. Follow up Networking is all about following up. Email your new contacts after the event, or message them on LinkedIn, mentioning specific talking points that came up in your chat. Why not share a link to your online portfolio, or let them know about the next event you plan to attend?

Do say "Nice to meet you".

Don't say "Got a creative job for me, mate?"

7. Join local networking groups Join your city's artistic community to share ideas and stay up to date on creative opportunities, trends and news. It's also a great way to get regular constructive feedback on your work, making sure you keep developing well beyond graduation.