Professional and Creative Attributes Week for School of Art, Design and Architecture students

Five days of workshops, events, interdisciplinary knowledge exchange activities and collaborations for final-year and postgraduate students
Abstract blue glowing light bulb. Low poly style design. Abstract geometric background. Wireframe light connection structure. Modern 3d graphic concept. Isolated vector illustration. lightbulb shutterstock
  • Learn more about yourself and what you have to offer
  • Learn to cope effectively with the pressures of work and manage stress
  • Meet and work with students from other programmes and disciplines
  • Learn how to make a positive impact in the world and the people around you
  • Turn your creative ambitions into a reality
  • Bring joy, happiness and wellbeing into your life
  • Try something new
See the listings below from earlier this year to get a taster of what to expect in 2023.

Switch on your potential
Raise your aspirations
Make a difference in the world


Throughout annual this event, you will have the opportunity to expand your future planning, enhance your employability skills and develop your knowledge from visiting lecturers, industry professionals, alumni and experts from across the University.
This year our Professional and Creative Attributes Week includes 3 days of activities focused on freelancing (Freelance Festival), supporting students with securing funding, marketing and branding your own creative practice.
Monday 20 February 2023
Tuesday 21 February 2023: The Freelance Festival
Wednesday 22 February 2023: The Freelance Festival
Thursday 23 February 2023: The Freelance Festival
Freelance ain't free
15:30–17:00
Friday 24 February 2023
 

About the week

The week focuses on three key themes

Abstract hand holding mobile phone with white empty screen. Low poly style design. Geometric background. Wireframe light connection structure. Modern 3d graphic concept. Isolated vector illustration. shutterstock Connectivity
 Collaborate with others and grow positive, supportive and authentic personal and professional relationships. Influence and contribute to alternative communities. Become confident telling your story to others.

Paper air plane. Low poly style design. Abstract geometric background. Wireframe light connection structure. Modern 3d graphic concept. Isolated vector illustration. shutterstock Curiosity
 Be active in your learning, try something new, seek beyond the familiar, push boundaries, take risks and invest time in what can be.

Abstract blue glowing light bulb with gears inside. Low poly style design. Abstract geometric background. Wireframe light connection structure. Modern 3d graphic concept. Vector illustration. shutterstock lightbulb Enterprise
 Identify and develop an enterprising mind-set, build a picture of possible options, and create new and exciting opportunities to develop skills in resilience and flexibility.

  • to

    Various locations

Save event

The world is changing and new skills are needed for the future of work and for organisations to grow and develop.

With companies, organisations and freelancers all facing disruption from COVID-19 and other global challenges, creativity is needed more than ever.

Traditional skills, such as management are therefore being replaced with the need for innovation skills in order to find and develop creative solutions to the complex world we live in. These include competencies such as:

  • Analytical thinking and innovation
  • Creativity, originality and initiative
  • Leadership and social influence
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Ideation and risk-taking

Skills in self-management (such as active learning, resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility) have recently emerged as being very important.

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Top 10 skills required in 2025*

  • ;Analytical thinking and innovation

  • AActive learning and learning strategies

  • ;Complex problem-solving

  • ;Critical thinking and analysis

  • ;Creativity, originality and initiative

  • <Leadership and social influence

  • ÉTechnology use, monitoring and control

  • ÉTechnology design and programming

  • AReilience, stress tolerance and flexibility

  • ÉReasoning, problem-solving and ideation

There are many designers, makers, artists, illustrators and entrepreneurs who have made a measurable impact in the world.

These are everyday people who have found their niche and been able to rise up against the challenges they face to transform their own lives and people around them. The way they behave and approach the their life and work is essential:

  • they commit to continually bettering themselves
  • they form genuine and authentic relationships with others
  • they are able to communicate their ideas and spread them openly
  • and they are curious, focusing on future possibilities (not the 'here and now').

These are all behaviours that are explored and developed in the Professional and Creative Attributes week.

Connectivity, curiosity and enterprise are essential if you want to find full-time employment, focus on your practice, work freelance or set up your own business.

shutterstock - creative thinking - design
 

Event photography and video

Please be aware that some of the University of Plymouth's public events (both online and offline) may be attended by University staff, photographers and videographers, for capturing content to be used in University online and offline marketing and promotional materials, for example webpages, brochures or leaflets. If you, or a member of your group, do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please let a member of staff know.