As a creative talent with a desire for design, I viewed the corporate world as stifling, so I had to find a career where I would be making things.
My earliest memories involve the crafts I learned from my mum – from patchwork to tapestry, knitting and embroidery. I was smitten with crafts just like other little girls love ponies, ballet or barbies.
My creativity took me onto a degree course at Northumbria University in design. I could have taught or lectured, but I thrived on the variety in the world of art and design and the urge to work with my hands, making things for people to enjoy, just wouldn't go away.
Central St Martins accepted me for a masters in industrial design and I savoured every second of my two years there. I made the most of every creative inspiration, every opportunity to draw upon the experiences of previous generations of designers, and valued the searingly honest feedback. I also drew upon the global perspective of the international alumni and stored all these experiences to apply at a later date. I'd advise others to do the same – you can learn from pretty much every experience in life, good and bad.
After my masters, careers in industrial design were pretty thin on the ground. I had involved myself in other creative projects in my spare time, but after freelance work on new product development for a toy company, which I quite enjoyed, I decided to do what I truly wanted to.
I'd set up a little jewellery design business, HannahMakesThings, to help fund my way through college and satisfy my creative urges. I'd sold my designs on Brick Lane Market and had quite a following. I'd advise young creatives to take every opportunity to get their work out into the outside world at the earliest opportunity, both at grassroots level and online.
So what next? I'd always had a niggling feeling that I should work for myself and carve a career in the consumer sector. Money was tight so I moved to Manchester to take my business to the next level.
HannahMakesThings developed, complemented by a retail presence in Manchester's vintage treasure trove – Affleck's. At Affleck's, customers can touch and feel my jewellery; every designer needs people to see their work in real life as well as online.
I won't pretend it was a doddle – it was (and still is) hard work. I'd advise creatives starting out online to find out about web design, search engine optimisation and marketing, and surround themselves with people who can help them build the brand.
Networking isn't just for corporate types – young creatives also need to channel their own networks. As well as one-to-one contact, I keep in touch using social media – I get useful feedback from a ready-made focus group just a tweet away.
In today's climate, organisations must embrace change and so should people starting out in a creative business or in-house positions. I've ensured that HannahMakesThings has a multi-dimensional structure by establishing a wholesaling arm and I've now clinched my first US retail presence, as well as London stockists. Future plans include a move into the interiors sector.
I would advise anyone looking for a creative career to maintain a focus on where you want to be and be true to what you're about. There may be times when you need to look for temporary ways of funding those dreams, but that's where your creative talents are an advantage. It's not a sector for the faint-hearted, but pull out all the stops and expose yourself to the people and situations that will help you to achieve your goal. Don't lose heart, draw from every experience and learn from the people around you.
Promote yourself and your talents – be savvy, research your sector and spot gaps in the marketplace. Believe in your abilities and don't hang back. If you think your creations would suit a specific celebrity, then send them a sample and offer a bespoke design.
Don't have regrets – get out and get noticed. View any knock backs as a learning opportunity and pathway to a positive experience. Keep in love with what you do and don't lose sight of why you're doing it. Stand out from the crowd. If Gaga had settled for jeans and a t-shirt, she might not have been the global phenomenon she is today.
Hannah Nuttall is the founder of HannahMakesThings
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