10 Questions

1. When graduated, will I have gained the appropriate knowledge to go and set up my own business being a self employed illustrator, or will I have to figure this out myself?
This is really important for me to set good foundations for my career and make the best preparations possible so I am able to start making work.   

2. How do I start to gain contacts?
I will need to start making contacts in able to promote my work and hear about new opportunities. I could do this by talking to people on my course, establishing myself online and not being afraid to show people my work.

3. How will I develop a style of my own that is unique from every other self-employed illustrator?
The chances are I won't develop something completely unique because there are so many illustrators out there. It is a possibility that I could take inspiration from other illustrators and combine various techniques together to generate a way of working that is recognised by others as being specific to me. 

4. How can I expand my knowledge, both in general and within the creative industry?
I can do this by attending lectures and seminars, attending events and doing personal research. Also by making myself aware of what is going on around me in the world will help influence my practice.

5. How will I develop confidence within my own practice?
This is something that will take some time, but not comparing my work to others will help. I could also make references to other illustrators who have influenced my work, and push myself further with my ability- for example taking opportunities in terms of competitions etc.

6. How do I set up an exhibition?
Having exhibitions could be another way into gaining contacts and establishing myself as an illustrator as well as my work. To start with I could get together with friends who are at the same ability as me, and in that way we could support each others practices.

7. How will I learn to balance my time?
This will come naturally through informal learning. I could also make the extra effort to make timetables/goal lists to keep on track of progress and also make time to do everything that I need to do.

8. How will I establish myself in the industry?
There are many ways I could get myself known, including trying to involve myself in exhibitions, entering competitions, sharing work with other illustrators etc.

9. How do you use adobe illustrator?
This process would include formal learning for example attending tutorials/workshops in college to help me gain additional skills, or in a non-formal way by being shown tips and tricks by peers.

10. How do you screen print?
This could also be a formal learning process by using the college facilities in a workshop session.