Creatives from Interbrand, Etsy, Clems and Firelight get on board as The Loop launches free professional development resource for creatives
Creative industry networking website The Loop has launched a comprehensive new professional development offer, in response to overwhelming consumer demand for an advice and mentoring resource that will help industry members progress their careers.
The Loop, which focuses on connecting Australian practitioners from across the spectrum of creative industries, with a myriad of professional and creative opportunities, recently undertook a survey of its subscribers.
It found 88% of the 1,628 respondents were interested in information on professional events, 86% asked for career tips and almost three quarters wanted access to courses and training opportunities.
The answer from The Loop has been the creation of a new free career development portal within the site, to better connect the creative community with guidance, review, advice, events, courses, competitions and professional opportunities.
The interactive guide offers subscribers the opportunity to have their work assessed by big name industry heavy-weights, review end-to-end case studies of how leading companies tackle inspirational projects, find out about learning events and skill development
opportunities, and read how-to guides from experts on everything from creating a portfolio that will cut through, to crowd funding a project.
Already on board to volunteer their guidance to community members is Chris Doyle, design director from Interbrand, Etsy’s Head of Seller Education, Danielle Maveal, creative team Baz Baker and Chris Pearce from Clemeger BBDO, filmmaker Marcus Gillezeau from
Firelight Productions, publisher and Co-creator of Semi-Permanent, Andrew Johnstone, as
well as Jeremy Wortsman, Director of The Jacky Winter Group, which represents Australian illustrators all around the world.
Creative leaders agree that a free information service to help people develop their career will have benefits for local creative industries as a whole.
Says Doyle: “There is a huge amount of talent here in Australia but many designers, especially students, could still really benefit from the opportunity to get their work more exposure, and some help in building networks.
“The Loop is helping to give designers those opportunities. Everyone from those starting out, to established professionals, can take something valuable from the site. It’s a resource that helps people do it better and contributes to building a better creative community.”
Says co-founder Pip Jamieson (pictured left): “Having successfully secured $2million seed funding last year, The Loop is currently executing a plan to increase brand awareness and attract new users. Listening and responding to the needs of the broader creative community is the best way to achieve that.
“Economic conditions are still uncertain and the feedback we’re getting from the creative community, is there’s a feeling that it’s more important than ever to stand out from the crowd, to keep learning and find ways to become more connected within your industry.
“With our new resource, The Loop aims to provide invaluable information and assistance to creative practitioners and companies of all levels, that will help them succeed and get ahead. And more broadly, we hope to contribute to the ongoing improvement of standards across the creative industries, to ensure Australian creatives continue to operate at a world class level.”
Launched in December 2009, career-networking site The Loop currently showcases the work of over 30,000 Australian creative professionals. This innovative visual marketplace connects talent with 3,700 creative companies and is free to join. The Loop receives over 100,000 unique visitors per month.
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