Selecting projects and activities for a Creative and Design industry placement

This creative and design technical training route will have 2 T Levels:

  • Craft and Design
  • Media, Broadcast and Production.

Many creative and design roles are transferable to a wide range of industries and settings. For example, someone training in content production or journalism could work in a marketing or digital communications department in many industries.

Identifying placement projects

Look for projects and activities for students undertaking an industry placement that:

  • will help stretch the learning the student has undertaken in the classroom
  • utilise skills they have that your business needs
  • can support a wide range of learners to step into your workplace, helping your staff value difference
  • utilise both creative and administrative or operational skills, so learners recognise that the sector relies on a combination of these skills
  • provide opportunities for students to make a meaningful contribution to live projects. As these students may be new to the world of work, they may need to be involved in lower risk or non-business-critical tasks at first

We’ve described 3 examples below that could be suitable for placement students. We encourage you to think about placement opportunities that can offer relevant experience to students and can add value to your organisation.

You can use the planning the content of an industry placement article to structure industry placement projects and activities to provide meaningful experience for the student and to deliver tangible benefits for your organisation. 

Industry placement example scenarios

Contents

Graphic design studio

Working in a small, but growing graphic design studio, this industry placement student came into the studio 2 days a week during their second year to support the studio where needed.

They supported senior graphic designers to organise and prioritise projects, proofread, carry out basic edits and, over time, create designs in accordance with customer briefs.

Projects and activities:

  • Participate in idea generation for creative concepts and customer briefs
  • Review and comment on branding, design, images and copy of designed work before presenting to the client
  • Develop graphics for product illustrations, logos and websites
  • Store and arrange media library and project folders

Art gallery technician

Working for an art gallery, this industry placement student supported the installation of a new exhibition.

The placement was delivered in a block where the student was first given a thorough induction to the art gallery, then worked with the art technician to plan and install the exhibition ready for public viewing and to the client’s specification.

Projects and activities:

  • Document, measure and photograph the condition of objects prior to transit
  • Prepare the space for object installation and de-installation in line with agreed plans
  • Research and source materials, tools, equipment and supplies needed to make displays, mounts, cases and commissions
  • Prepare and build containers, fixings and packing for the safe storage and transit of objects
  • With supervision, undertake safe handling, movement and installation of objects considering location, fragility, weight, size and other hazards

Content production and marketing

Working for an independent coffee shop, this industry placement student supported the business to grow its presence on social media and appeal to a younger audience in the local area.

The student spent time in the coffee shop talking to customers and staff to get a sense of why people drank there, before setting up appropriate social media channels and marketing the organisation online, through video and photo content that appealed to the target audience.

Projects and activities:

  • Present ideas, pitches and proposals for creative content to be further developed
  • Identify and recommend the appropriate platforms or channels to use for the media campaign
  • Capture images and audio using basic video, still cameras and audio equipment
  • Assist in hosting message boards and engaging with audiences through social media

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