Want to work in creatives, but don’t know how to start? Look no further. It’s easy to get lost in a vibrant industry and melting pot of niche interests, fueled by ideas, events, and fire emoji-worthy content. You’re well aware of the caveats surrounding the scene—pursuing a career that isn’t as lucrative as large-scale businesses, plagued with uncertainties amid rampant technological advances—and yet, you trudge on. You won’t stop until there’s a fully fledged passion project to your name. Your plans are set, and all you need now is a platform.
I’ve been there. The country’s most acclaimed creatives probably have, too. Weeks before my college graduation, I wasted no time sharpening my craft and building my byline. No roadmaps or tunnel vision, just streams of passion and a penchant for storytelling that I always believed in. Now, in my third year (and counting) as a media practitioner, I’ve gotten to try on various creative hats: a content creator, producer, social media manager, and most purposefully, a writer who strives to amplify Gen Z voices alongside my own.
It’s been a wild ride. Mistakes and oversights still persist. Failure, even more. I’m nowhere near the cunning, fully realized, and fashion-forward culture critic I’ve envisioned for myself after welcoming that same model of expertise through my favorite rom-coms. But if these tidbits of advice are any indicator, I’m steadily getting there. And hey, if these eye-openers have helped me find my footing in the dynamic world of working creatives, then I can only hope the same for you and every aspiring professional in the field.
Stop relying too much on your to-do lists
Photo: Canva
I know, I’m tossing in a tough one right off the bat. But sometimes, the hardest pills to swallow are the most valuable. It’s okay if your entire day used to depend on bulleted lists you’d gradually cross out (I see you, ToDo Mate and Notion users). They’ll still be of use, but in creatives, you’ll have to ditch them momentarily and adapt to changes in your plans. Your supervisor might call you for a meeting in the hour you put aside for a different task. Another department could request for your assistance in the middle of an assignment that you set an internal deadline for. Backlogs pile up as unforeseen duties replace the commitments you prepared for. While an organized work ethic gets the job done promptly, an open and available window is still ideal for what you won’t see coming. Don’t let your to-do lists dictate your day down to the last minute. You can only be as flexible as your workload, after all.
Attend project shoots and content days
Every creative should go to a shoot at least once in their lives. Weeks of scheduling, budgeting, client calls, concept pitches, vision boards, task delegation, and workarounds will finally pay off like a school play’s opening night. Things will get hectic at first with everyone on board for a make-or-break day. However, this much fruitful action doesn’t just happen overnight, so you might as well seize the moment. Though you won’t be on call the entire shoot, staying present amid the chaos can expose you to unexplored creative roles and strengthen your foundation with your team. Writers can assist production teams with maintaining set designs and equipment (I posed for some test shots before). Producers can consult with multimedia artists for creative direction. Social media managers can oversee reports and documentation. You won’t run out of things to do! Bonus: you’ll probably meet your favorite artists at work, too. Might as well let them remember your name as much as you remember theirs.
Keep your mind (and abilities) open
Well-roundedness is a long-term skill that creatives hone even years into their careers. There’s no exact way to master creative know-how, so take every opportunity at your disposal to broaden your horizons. You’ll start with your fortés and branch out to more expansive and hands-on roles. Once you’ve earned your stripes and gotten into the groove of things, you’ll realize how often creative skill sets go hand in hand across multiple professions. From multimedia arts, to film and production, as well as journalism, public relations, and advertising, there are no small roles (or restrictions!) among creatives. Just remember to know your work’s worth. Your areas of responsibility still require your complete focus and commitment.
Know your tools and programs
Even non-creatives are aware of how overwhelming your first work week can get when you’re bombarded with new apps to utilize that you’ve never heard of before. Setting your work accounts up is one thing, but learning every feature and function can lead to an information overload. If you have extra time on your hands outside work, brush up on your tech knowledge and practice creating on platforms you’ll need for future endeavors. Venture into editing on Canva. Create vlogs on CapCut. Get your creative gears running. Total mastery isn’t necessary, but general knowledge on the basics of virtual workspaces will result in more efficient outcomes without compromising the quality of your ideas.
Invest in a stress-free pastime
Photos: Unsplash
Nightly journaling prompts? Arts and crafts with your friends every weekend? That #BookTokaccount you swore you’d start posting on? Anything goes. Your hobbies and out-of-work pursuits are essential to maintaining a solid mindset without the pressures of deadlines, revisions, and late-night edits. Creatives aren’t idea machines. Churning out words, concepts, and content nonstop is a one-way ticket to burnout. Nurturing your for-funsies interests will keep you well-rested outside work’s hurdles and pressure. Whether it’s for an hour or a whole evening, time away from your priorities will help you return to them with a sound mind, body, and outlook.
It’s okay to challenge your creative process
Why seek career breakthroughs if you’ll remain absolutely sure of your approach to project briefs every time? No matter how much you trust your experience, your creative process won’t always guarantee the results you want. Your million-peso pitch might just be worth a hundred to your clients. Your multifaceted campaign might face unforeseen hindrances. When scrambling for a Plan B, revisiting your groundwork can unearth new perspectives and solutions for your project that you probably missed before. Sometimes, the suggestions you never thought you’d pursue—ones that contradict your ideation—become the best fits for the job. Your viewers, readers, and target market will have lots to say about the fruits of your labor. It won’t hurt to lend a heedful ear to their insights instead of solely your own.
Ready to begin your professional creative journey? Tell us in the comments below!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at story.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at theWhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community atWIM Squad! We also share our stories on Viber,join us!
Give Andrea a bowl of noodles and she'll remember you for eternity. As the team's Features Writer, she explores intersections of pop culture, creativity, human interests, and identity. She eyes a book deal (or two, or more!) in the near future and a zestful fangirl life for the rest of her days.
Dreaming of a Creative Career? 6 Game-Changing Tips Aspiring Filipino Creatives Should Know
Want to work in creatives, but don’t know how to start? Look no further. It’s easy to get lost in a vibrant industry and melting pot of niche interests, fueled by ideas, events, and fire emoji-worthy content. You’re well aware of the caveats surrounding the scene—pursuing a career that isn’t as lucrative as large-scale businesses, plagued with uncertainties amid rampant technological advances—and yet, you trudge on. You won’t stop until there’s a fully fledged passion project to your name. Your plans are set, and all you need now is a platform.
I’ve been there. The country’s most acclaimed creatives probably have, too. Weeks before my college graduation, I wasted no time sharpening my craft and building my byline. No roadmaps or tunnel vision, just streams of passion and a penchant for storytelling that I always believed in. Now, in my third year (and counting) as a media practitioner, I’ve gotten to try on various creative hats: a content creator, producer, social media manager, and most purposefully, a writer who strives to amplify Gen Z voices alongside my own.
It’s been a wild ride. Mistakes and oversights still persist. Failure, even more. I’m nowhere near the cunning, fully realized, and fashion-forward culture critic I’ve envisioned for myself after welcoming that same model of expertise through my favorite rom-coms. But if these tidbits of advice are any indicator, I’m steadily getting there. And hey, if these eye-openers have helped me find my footing in the dynamic world of working creatives, then I can only hope the same for you and every aspiring professional in the field.
Stop relying too much on your to-do lists
Photo: Canva
I know, I’m tossing in a tough one right off the bat. But sometimes, the hardest pills to swallow are the most valuable. It’s okay if your entire day used to depend on bulleted lists you’d gradually cross out (I see you, ToDo Mate and Notion users). They’ll still be of use, but in creatives, you’ll have to ditch them momentarily and adapt to changes in your plans. Your supervisor might call you for a meeting in the hour you put aside for a different task. Another department could request for your assistance in the middle of an assignment that you set an internal deadline for. Backlogs pile up as unforeseen duties replace the commitments you prepared for. While an organized work ethic gets the job done promptly, an open and available window is still ideal for what you won’t see coming. Don’t let your to-do lists dictate your day down to the last minute. You can only be as flexible as your workload, after all.
Attend project shoots and content days
Every creative should go to a shoot at least once in their lives. Weeks of scheduling, budgeting, client calls, concept pitches, vision boards, task delegation, and workarounds will finally pay off like a school play’s opening night. Things will get hectic at first with everyone on board for a make-or-break day. However, this much fruitful action doesn’t just happen overnight, so you might as well seize the moment. Though you won’t be on call the entire shoot, staying present amid the chaos can expose you to unexplored creative roles and strengthen your foundation with your team. Writers can assist production teams with maintaining set designs and equipment (I posed for some test shots before). Producers can consult with multimedia artists for creative direction. Social media managers can oversee reports and documentation. You won’t run out of things to do! Bonus: you’ll probably meet your favorite artists at work, too. Might as well let them remember your name as much as you remember theirs.
Keep your mind (and abilities) open
Well-roundedness is a long-term skill that creatives hone even years into their careers. There’s no exact way to master creative know-how, so take every opportunity at your disposal to broaden your horizons. You’ll start with your fortés and branch out to more expansive and hands-on roles. Once you’ve earned your stripes and gotten into the groove of things, you’ll realize how often creative skill sets go hand in hand across multiple professions. From multimedia arts, to film and production, as well as journalism, public relations, and advertising, there are no small roles (or restrictions!) among creatives. Just remember to know your work’s worth. Your areas of responsibility still require your complete focus and commitment.
Know your tools and programs
Even non-creatives are aware of how overwhelming your first work week can get when you’re bombarded with new apps to utilize that you’ve never heard of before. Setting your work accounts up is one thing, but learning every feature and function can lead to an information overload. If you have extra time on your hands outside work, brush up on your tech knowledge and practice creating on platforms you’ll need for future endeavors. Venture into editing on Canva. Create vlogs on CapCut. Get your creative gears running. Total mastery isn’t necessary, but general knowledge on the basics of virtual workspaces will result in more efficient outcomes without compromising the quality of your ideas.
Invest in a stress-free pastime
Photos: Unsplash
Nightly journaling prompts? Arts and crafts with your friends every weekend? That #BookTok account you swore you’d start posting on? Anything goes. Your hobbies and out-of-work pursuits are essential to maintaining a solid mindset without the pressures of deadlines, revisions, and late-night edits. Creatives aren’t idea machines. Churning out words, concepts, and content nonstop is a one-way ticket to burnout. Nurturing your for-funsies interests will keep you well-rested outside work’s hurdles and pressure. Whether it’s for an hour or a whole evening, time away from your priorities will help you return to them with a sound mind, body, and outlook.
It’s okay to challenge your creative process
Why seek career breakthroughs if you’ll remain absolutely sure of your approach to project briefs every time? No matter how much you trust your experience, your creative process won’t always guarantee the results you want. Your million-peso pitch might just be worth a hundred to your clients. Your multifaceted campaign might face unforeseen hindrances. When scrambling for a Plan B, revisiting your groundwork can unearth new perspectives and solutions for your project that you probably missed before. Sometimes, the suggestions you never thought you’d pursue—ones that contradict your ideation—become the best fits for the job. Your viewers, readers, and target market will have lots to say about the fruits of your labor. It won’t hurt to lend a heedful ear to their insights instead of solely your own.
ALSO READ: Here’s How Canva Empowers Thriving Filipino Creatives
Ready to begin your professional creative journey? Tell us in the comments below!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at story.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at the WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad! We also share our stories on Viber, join us!
About The Author
Give Andrea a bowl of noodles and she'll remember you for eternity. As the team's Features Writer, she explores intersections of pop culture, creativity, human interests, and identity. She eyes a book deal (or two, or more!) in the near future and a zestful fangirl life for the rest of her days.
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