Creative Roles

These types of roles tend to be ‘visual’, looking at something and creating the right ‘look’ and ‘feel’ and being able to make it appealing and engaging to the audience. This might mean getting the right images that add value to a webpage, creating a graphic that explains something well, editing lighting or sound on a stage or writing engaging content for social media channels for a business.  

Skills, behaviours, and knowledge 

Let’s look at the transferable skills for these roles first and some examples of what these skills, behaviours and knowledge might look like. 

Time management:

Planning when posts and articles should be published to get the best results e.g. time, day, date, knowing when sounds or lighting needs to be changed, being able to meeting deadlines for a design project or prioritise work changes to make sure things get done on time.  

Flexible approach:

A flexible approach to working, this could be working extra hours to meet deadlines, working a variety of hours to meet colleagues from a global team, or simply taking on work at short notice. 

Communication: 

This could be with customers and platform users (the public), making sure that any queries or complaints are answered and or directed to others if more response is needed, with team members, or other teams and being able to speak up when appropriate to suggest ideas or changes. This doesn’t just mean speaking either, make sure you work on your active listening skills and written ones too!

Team work:

Working with others, such as, the marketing team to plan campaigns, sales teams to tie in with product launches or push sales, graphics to make on brand visuals, and other teams within the business as needed to help get your objectives met in the right way.

Role specific skills, behaviours, and knowledge  

Web designer  

• Knowledge of coding and knowing programming languages, such as HTML, C++, C# and CSS, as well as being able to use content management systems and web builders like WordPress. 

• Knowledge and ability to apply design principles; how to use different shapes, colours, spacing, texture, scale etc to create visually appealing designs.  

Copywriter 

• Strong writing skills, being able to create interest for the marketing piece you’re writing for. 

• Ability to research – you need to be able to learn and understand about the products (or anything) that you’re writing to advertise.  

• Creative thinking, being able to think outside the box and suggest or build on fresh ideas. 

 Social media executive/manager 

• Knowledge of how to use social media sites and how they work. This includes having an interest in their algorithms and how to create scheduled posts using relevant tools.  

• Able to write content, choose images or create messages that engage people and generate interactions on social media (Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram etc.) 

• Knowledge and understanding of data – this might be driving traffic to a website or reporting on growth of follower numbers, reach or the sort of interactions that have been made. 

 Graphic designer 

• Knowledge of design principles; how to use different shapes, colours, spacing, texture, scale etc to create visually appealing designs.  

• Ability to explore and generate ideas for designs, take these and bring them to life.  

• Knowledge and experience of design software e.g. Adobe; Illustrator, Photoshop etc.  

Sound and lighting engineer 

• Able to carry out physical and manual work, adjusting and possibly moving/lifting equipment for repairing or changing location.  

• A ‘good ear’, this is being able to pick up on different pitches or timing, being sensitive to feeling the vibrations of the sound may also be good for this. 

• Knowledge of lighting and sound systems and how these operate, you might also benefit from knowing how to repair equipment.  

 Relevant qualifications or experience 

• A keen interest in the area that you want a career in, having a portfolio of your own work for websites, social media or graphics or some great written references or testimonials or filmed/photographed examples for things like sound and lighting.  

• Work experience in a relevant team or company – volunteering is a great way to get experience, build a portfolio or even create job opportunities for yourself if the business likes your work. There might be local charities or societies (e.g. animal charities, theatres or drama groups, or hospital radio) who would welcome you helping out as other volunteers don’t always have the time. Work experience can really help when it comes to securing a role.  

• A qualification in the relevant area or similar subjects can be an advantage, apprenticeships are a great way to get started in a business, gain experience and a qualification.  

• There are lots of online diplomas, or even free online learning that you can do, the Open University even has a catalogue of short courses that you might find useful.   

If you don’t think these qualifications or experience applies to you why not make contact with someone who works in social media or digital marketing and ask their advice, or to see if they offer work experience? Networking, following relevant accounts, and making connections on socials like LinkedIn can offer insights into the professional environment of these roles.