Business start up for creatives (online)

Though the detail of this course is for creatives who wish to set up a business in the UK, the general content of the course is essential for any artist and designer based anywhere in the world. This is especially so for artists and designers who desire to trade with UK businesses or other countries within the European Union. Students will get access to a set of extensive handouts including money management and bookkeeping spreadsheets which have been specially designed for creative practitioners and businesses. Coursework is on the whole optional. However, weekly online feedback is available to all who complete the various activities.

Course extras:

City Law firm Silverman Sherliker LLP is pleased to offer 1 hour's free legal advice to course delegates on Business Start-ups for Creatives Online.

For concept and idea protection Creative Barcode offer a free 20 minute Q & A with CEO Maxine Horn on Skype and a massive discount off of its IP protection product including IP Tags, registration of work, file transfer service and much more.


Course Schedule - 8 weeks: 1.5 hours of live class per week

1st week

The first steps to setting up as self-employed and how to develop social and business networks in your arts sector or industry.

2nd week

You will discover more about: Market research, trends, innovation and how to define what is unique about your practice or business idea.

3rd week

During this workshop you will understand more about how to write a business plan and develop a longer term vision whilst raising your awareness about possible risks and skills gaps.

4th week

By the end of this lecture you will be able to organise you time more efficiently and learn how to realistically cost a service such as a day rate or pricing an artwork/creative product.

5th week

After this talk you will know how to: Manage a business bank account, draft an invoice, secure payment from clients and why it is advisable to have terms and conditions.

6th week

The objective of this talk is to raise your awareness of contract law and become familiar with key regulations which apply to anyone who lives in the UK or wishes to trade with or within the European Union, thus enabling you to trade legally, safely and ethically.

7th week

This seminar is all about Intellectual Property and introduces important matters such as: Choosing a business name, how to protect and also exploit your creative rights concerning trademark, patent, design right and copyright.

8th week

The final session provides an overview of: Funding, money management, how taxation applies and what records you are required to keep by law.