Outline / Schedule

Spring 2014
 Creative Business Course Outline

Course work will consist of discussions, reading assignments, field research under faculty direction, weekly assignments, and a comprehensive semester binder (dossier). Students will also experience a trip to a local design studio, ad agency, or magazine publisher to meet industry professionals.

Week Topic
Week 1 Introduction to the Course

  • Syllabus – Introductory Presentation
  • Course outline and description

Breaking the Ice:Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

  • Discussion of the Creative Questionnaire

Homework (Due next class period):

  1. Read pages 3-8 of the course manual
Week 2 Strategic Planning to Put Your Career on the Fast-Track

  • Purpose, Plan, Action
  • The 5-Year Strategic Plan
  • A Fast-Track Strategy that Works

Homework (Due next class period):

  1. Reference pages 3-8 of the course manual
  2. Begin developing your 5-Year Strategic Plan (see example on pages 5-6 of your manual)
Week 3  THE STAFF ARTIST

  • Attitudes needed and things to be aware of
  • What to expect and what you must understand
  • The 6 P’s of Self-Promotion & Marketing

Homework (Due next class period):

  1. Read pages 9-15 of the course manual
  2. Complete Your 5-Year Strategic Plan
    (see example on pages 5-6 of your manual)
  3. Class Text: Read Chapter 3 pages 30 – 50
  4. Begin Your Resume and Cover Letter
    (see examples on pages 12 and 13 of your manual)
Week 4 Resumes, Cover Letters, Search Agents & Salaries

  • What’s required when applying for Creative Staff Position
  • Where to go and who to target for employment
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • Trade Organizations
  • Online Search Agents
  • How to determine salaries

Homework (Due next class period):

  1. Determine your worth in the form of an annual salary
  2. Read pages 16-23 of the course manual
  3. Begin Your Resume and Cover Letter, (see examples on pages 12 and 13 of your manual)
  4. Class Text: Read Chapter 3 pages 30 – 50
Week 5 Organizational Structures

  • Creative Positions
  • Flow Charts
  • Floor Plans

Portfolios, Presentations & Interviews

  • Content and Formats
  • Tooting your own horn through presentations & interviews

Homework (Due next class period):

  1. Read pages _________ of the course textbook
  2. Complete Your Resume and Cover Letter, (see examples on pages 12 and 13 of your manual)
Week 6 THE FREELANCE ARTIST

  • The Anatomy of a Self-Promotion Package
  • Self-Promotion and Selling Your Ideas
  • The 6 P’s of Self-Promotion & Marketing revisited

Homework (Due next class period):

  1. Read handout from The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook
  2. Read pages 24-26 of the course manual
Week 7 Let’s Talk About Money

  • How to Establish an Hourly Rate
  • Other Options for Pricing Your Services

In-class assignment:

  1. Determine your base hourly rate using the formula provided (p. 25 manual)

Homework (Due next class period):

  1. Create a task list and
  2. Figure out a rate per task for each service you intend to provide.
Week 8 MID-TERM Progress Review  Guest Speaker Intellectual Property

  • Trademarks,
  • Copyrights and
  • Licensing Rights

In-class assignment:

Read handout from The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook

Homework (Do over the break):

  1. Read pages 26-30 of the course manual
Week 9  No class due to CHARTER DAY CONVOCATIONCramton Auditorium, 11:00 A.M.(Classes suspended 10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.)
Week 10  No class due to SPRING BREAK 2012
Week 11 Contracts and Negotiations

  • General contract terms and how to negotiate them

Homework (Due next class period):

  1. Begin developing your end of semester presentation.
  2. Review pages 30-34 of the course manual
Week 12  Studio Tour / Field Trip
Week 13  ENTREPRENEURSHIP

  • Starting a creative enterprise
  • Marketing your business to a broader client base
Week 14  Final Class Presentations (Group 1)
Week 15  Final Class Presentations (Group 2)