Some of the participants on the University of Ulster Jordanstown run, photographed with Mentors Karen and
Clare Gibson, Deborah Fraser, Ulster’s Associate Head of School of Art and Design and Carole Kane, WEA Development Officer.

The skills of local, creative entrepreneurs were celebrated at a special event in the University of Ulster's Jordanstown campus this week, when they showcased their work to an audience of tutors, mentors and professionals.

Each participant had successfully completed the Creative Thirst project, a partnership between the University and the Workers' Educational Association (WEA) which aims to help individuals set up their own businesses.

Within a learning environment, a programme was organised to offer a helping hand to those involved in the creative industries, who need to acquire the necessary skills to set up their own ventures.

Students were able to consider the potential and the challenges of becoming self-employed and were shown how to develop a business plan and portfolio as well as the appropriate use of IT presentations and promotional material.

One of the many strengths of the programme is the support and advice given through one to one mentorship from leading people in a variety of fields within the creative industries.

The project has been developed by the WEA in response to specific needs identified in the creative industries sector and follows other successful programmes during the last few years...

And to prove just how successful the latest project has been, students put on an eye catching display of their exquisite hand made crafts including jewellery and graphics at the Jordanstown event on Wednesday.

It followed on from a similar event at the Magee campus and further celebrations will be taking place to mark the end of other projects during the coming weeks in Omagh and Armagh.

Deborah Fraser, Ulster's Associate Head of School of Art and Design, said the University's involvement with programmes such as Creativity Thirst provided an opportunity for people who may not had had any in previous contact with this learning environment.

"There is a wealth of knowledge and experience within the University which we can offer, in this circumstance, to people who are hungry for assistance and advice. The school of Art and Design sees engagement with this programme as part of their ongoing development to widen access and participation. Creativity Thirst gives participants a fantastic opportunity to put their toe in the water and make choices about their future self-employment. Ultimately it is everyone's hope that theses individuals will make a contribution to the development of creative industries in Northern Ireland."

Carole Kane, WEA Development Officer, said the WEA was delighted to be celebrating another successful completion of a Creativity Thirst programme.

"The participants on this programme have had the chance to develop their business ideas within their specific areas of the creative industries. They have now become aware of the implications of self-employment and gained confidence and focus while networking with like minded people. The celebration at the Jordanstown campus has given everyone involved in Creativity Thirst an opportunity to wish them well as they finish the programme and embark on their new business ventures."

Creativity Thirst is funded by the Creative Industries Innovation Fund, which is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

For more information contact Carole Kane at or phone 028 90329718.

Taster Session No 1 at the University of Ulster in Jordanstown

The first Taster Session for the “Creativity Thirst” in the University of Ulster in Jordanstown was delivered by PR Consultant, Cathy Martin.

Cathy organises Belfast Fashion Week and her background is in Marketing. This was an interactive session where Cathy explained about marketing within her own business as well as offering specific guidance to those attending.

“…live, breath, eat, speak, your business…”

Related areas which she encouraged attendees to develop within their business ideas were:

• Social media: websites which tell stories, Facebook, My Space Twitter, etc. These are free, don’t take much time to keep updated and should be kept separate to personal sites. She emphasised that entrepreneurs don’t need to spend a lot of money on marketing by using the likes of these tools and forums.
• Network: wherever you go, be aware of opportunities of connecting with others and/or promoting your own work. Be well versed in your industry by reading and also know what’s going on in the wider world as well. She was keen that attendees connected current affairs with what’s relevant with you and your business.
• The “four P’s” of marketing: product, price, place, promotion. Consider how these apply to your product.
• Consider what your competitors are doing and forecasting what’s expected for future fashions and trends.

Taster Session No 2 at the University of Ulster in Jordanstown

The second Taster Session was delivered by digital effects expert, Greg Maguire.

Greg started the presentation by showing us an impressive collection of footage from animated films that he has worked on. These ranged from “Avatar”, video games, “Happy Feet”, and a full caveat of animated films which he has been involved in creating. Before returning to Northern Ireland, he has worked for a long time in the US and his experience is extensive. He described the dynamics associated in this area and how business was developed as well as skills in animation.

He continued to explain the design processes involved in the creation of his work as well as explaining related issues and dynamics of teams who are often in different places in the world, while working on one film. This is how the digital industry works.

There was an emphasis in Greg’s talk around networking and developing relationships as well as gaining a reputation of being able to produce what’s required, keeping on time and creating the best quality possible. These skills are necessary right across the Creative Industries and Greg gave examples of how “reputation” has been and will continue to be the catalysis for him securing work.

This was a really interesting session and all who attended were impacted on Greg’s experiences and desire to help others in Northern Ireland develop the necessary skills to contribute to this rapidly growing part of the Creative Industries.

Greg now works out of his own company Wee Man Studios