Launch Pad - Career Interests + Commercial Awareness

Field of Interest

Architectural Modelmaking + Product - Hard Edge Models

Post university, a career producing hard-edge models either for the architectural or product industry is what I have consistently gravitated towards even before I began further education. Accumulating an array of work experience placements and contacts both pre and during my studies. Primarily in architecture and a little in advertising.

Commercial Awareness

Understanding the need to familiarise myself with industry before immersing myself in a career, I have pursued work in Copenhagen and looked into gaining experience in other countries. This allows for me to open up the market for available work and answers questions about whether I could see myself working abroad. It also gives a great insight into the economy and living standards of other countries. Invaluable knowledge for determining self worth. So you don't undervalue your skills, shows what other places are willing to pay for your services. Working abroad really helps break free of the tunnel vision towards the UK Modelmaking industry/s.

The large amount of work experience I have undertaken has also benefitted me with a first hand experience of how these practice's run. It is not my intention to start my own business. However, commercial awareness is about demonstrating focus towards business and financial operations. Being how the business is run, and how much money its makes / spends. Boosting growth through provision of quality services and financial gain.

To remain commercially aware you must also pay attention to news that affects your business and follow appropriate outlets. Understanding how and why its going to affect you is key. Whether it be government legislations, or pandemics such as Covid- 19 that could cause issues such as lack of work / saturation of industry and financial burden.

It also means understanding what customers, clients and employers are looking for out of your work. Through successful and reliable research + communication as a demonstration of knowledge. Building reputation and trust in your abilities. Every client and industry maintain different standards. Commercial Awareness is about understanding this and adapting.

As mentioned before I do not intend to start my own Modelmaking business. It is partially this knowledge that has led me to architectural modelmaking. As from my experience I have discovered it to be a largely team based industry where the pressure of deadlines for a model is not placed on the individual, but the work force as a collective. This I find fosters a less stressful and more collaborative atmosphere. Also meaning projects are completed faster creating variety.

Although I have a comfortable amount of work experience to reference, the architecture companies with model making departments I have worked at are often quite commercial, with a defined separation between even the head of modelmaking and the partners / owners of the business leaving little room for me to experience have never experienced the intricacies of running a business, finding work and potentially employing fellow makers.