The Art of Connection: The Importance of Networking for New Creatives

In the world of art and creative expression, connections are like brushstrokes on a canvas, adding depth and colour to our journeys. Networking and building my community has been a fundamental part of my development as a creative. In my short time pursuing a career as an art director, I've discovered the power of immersing yourself in a collective of people that inspire your passion and how that can shape your creative landscape.

Transitioning from a very different career, my time at Mohawk brought to my attention, albeit later than it should have, the power of cultivating relationships and building connections with fellow artists and professionals who share your passions and values. For reasons different from what I initially expected, I have come to see why doing so is not just a choice but a necessity. Here's why networking and community building are central to my story:

Opening Doors

I hadn't created a LinkedIn account until far too long into my adult life. Largely due to fear of critical eyes scanning the blank sheet of accomplishments often accompanied by a young adult fresh into a new career. I felt at that time "Bartender" and my various other career attempts lacked the pizazz I wanted to display to the world. As a result, I'm intimately acquainted with conversations about the importance of networking and how it is critical for 'opening doors.' The longer I went without creating a profile, the more the phrase' opening doors' appeared in my life. Evidently, I jumped on the networking train, but during my rebellion, creating opportunities was the most commonly discussed outcome of effective networking. I agree with its importance; taking this step (or postponing it) can significantly impact your career. Since I stepped out of my comfort zone, many mentors, allies, and professors have played instrumental roles in helping me discover exciting prospects and projects I probably wouldn't have encountered otherwise. However, when advised to build a community of professionals in my field, I wish they had stressed several additional reasons with equal importance. Because If they had, I might have clicked the sign-up button much sooner.

Learning and Growth

The exchange of knowledge within a community is like fertilizing the soil for growth. You challenge each other to improve, innovate, and evolve as artists. Engaging and Collaborating with like-minded professionals is an incredible opportunity for mutual learning as well as a tool to ignite your self-confidence and enhance your communication skills. Neuroscientists and psychologists have observed that humans often become synchronized in a sense. In the textbook "An Introduction to Psychological Science (Canadian Edition)" by Krause, Corts, Smith, and Dolderman (2020), the concept of synchrony is defined as follows: "Synchrony occurs when two individuals engage in social interactions, and their speech, language, and even physiological activity become more alike" (Gordon et al., 2019). Observing someone else's confidence and creativity can not only be inspiring, but it can be contagious. Sometimes, it just takes one conversation to feel motivated to push outside of your own boundaries. During a conversation with a colleague I befriended at a previous internship, I was shown a pitch deck with the best mockup imagery I'd ever seen. Through this, I saw firsthand how a well-made 3D mockup can significantly enhance an idea and, equally, how the ability to display your ideas clearly can impact a presentation. Because of this, I quickly pursued my own journey with 3D software with a frantic excitement that is only felt when organically and truthfully inspired.

Shared Inspiration

One of the most beautiful aspects of art is how it can be a wellspring of inspiration. Through networking, I've had the privilege of connecting with individuals who have expanded my creative horizons. We exchange ideas, share our influences, and inspire each other to push artistic boundaries. And as your network grows, your social media starts to naturally contain more content targeted toward your interests and field of work. Your work starts to be positively influenced, and your creative aspirations grow as you consume relevant content and participate in discussions, all while just scrolling online.

Support and Encouragement

The creative path can be filled with challenges. Putting in the work to create a collective of people who can offer help and knowledge from a place of experience is invaluable. Your network can act as a sounding board and provide a strong safety net during moments of self-doubt.

To conclude, creating a network of peers and professionals is not just about growing your circle—it's about expanding your horizons. It's about nurturing an ecosystem where your creativity thrives, your values are upheld, and your aspirations are nurtured. So, to those who are also on this journey, I wholeheartedly invite you to actively engage in networking and community building. Seek out individuals who share your passion and values, whether through events, social media, or local art organizations. Eventually, you will have not just created opportunities, but built a foundation that welcomes a world of possibilities.

I'd love to hear your own experiences with networking and community building in the creative field, so please feel free to reach out and share your own stories, tips, and insights.