“Young people need as much information as they can get about the creative industry and its ever-evolving size, directions and disciplines. They should be able to learn about the good things, the bad and everything in-between!"
Freelance illustrator and printmaker Martin Rose works both from home and his studio space in Pontefract town centre. With a background in high school (Inclusion Coordinator) and outdoor education (outdoor survival, mountain biking, kayaking etc) – Martin has also taught students with SEND. He is additionally a tutor/mentor for neurodivergent students at Pinc College, Dean Clough Campus.
Martin wanted to offer something very specific for Discover! Creative Careers Week; he wanted to find a neurodivergent student from a mainstream college, who may otherwise have been overlooked or not found a suitable placement for their desired career.
Overview
This year was my third year in a row working for the UK-based coffee shop chain, Bob and Berts. Each year they have given me a specific brief for festive artwork. I am privileged again this year that they trust me to take that concept and create it across the glass of the 7 shops they have in England for their festive season. I use acrylic pens to produce a blend of free-hand art combined with my own hand-cut stencils for branding specific to Bob and Berts.
My plan was to offer a student the chance to join me, supported by college staff in Bob and Berts, Blackpool. I would then give them the opportunity to learn about my tools, my process and what it is like to create artwork, live in front of passers-by and customers that are sat inside the shop, eating, drinking and generally being merry!
Number of young people reached:
1
Advice for similar companies/organisations:
Plan everything as accurately as you can. If you are targeting neurodivergent people, consider what their difficulties could be and ask them specifically what you can do to help them to access the activity/job more easily.
Stick to a plan as closely as possible. Avoid changing times and days wherever possible.
Allow the person space and time to regulate if they need it. They may not be able to ask you, so I would suggest stating that they are allowed to leave and return as necessary.
Have a clear line of communication between yourselves and the educational establishment that you are working with. Always confirm plans and arrangements via email and request that the recipient has read, and more importantly understood the information. In this way, you are protecting yourselves from any miscommunications that could take place.
Can you tell us why you believe it’s important for industry to get directly involved in inspiring and informing young people about careers in the creative industries through projects like Discover?
Young people need as much information as they can get about the creative industry and its ever-evolving size, directions and disciplines. They should be able to learn about the good things, the bad and everything in-between!
Coming out of college or university and looking for a job or even freelancing can be extremely daunting for anyone. I graduated in 2021, so I’ve been through university fairly recently. Other neurodivergent students that I made friends with there have told me that they felt let-down by university and were unprepared for the struggles and pitfalls that searching for work as a neurodivergent graduate brought.
I felt it important to share the highs and the lows that I’ve experienced because wherever possible, I would hope that I can help someone else to achieve success by passing on this type of knowledge.
I am truly grateful to Bob and Berts for agreeing to be part of Discover! Creative Week. This meant that as well as seeing my side of the job, the student would also get to experience working alongside the team at Bob and Berts and gain some insight into how things work, how well organised and structured everything is and also how hard the staff work to give each and every customer that walks through the door a warm welcome, great service and a reason to return.
Its then my job to help create a cosy, festive atmosphere at this time of year – when people will be out shopping, in need of a rest and refreshments.
Things specific to that were – uniquely detailed snowflakes. Across all 7 shops, any snowflake that is more than one block of colour is unique to any other, just like the real thing. We created various pattern combinations and colours.
Each design across each shop was essentially a blank canvas. Each shop is different in size and they have a range of other lit window installations and vinyl to work around. So each shop is a bespoke design when I am drawing. Hopefully, we have brought some joy and festive cheer to the streets of England!