Course Title: Provide services on a freelance basis

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2017

Course Code: GRAP5363C

Course Title: Provide services on a freelance basis

School: 350T Fashion & Textiles

Campus: Brunswick Campus

Program: C5336 - Diploma of Fashion Styling

Course Contact: Anni Juracich

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9236

Course Contact Email: anni.juracich@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Bianca Christoff
bianca.christoff@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 30

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

There are no pre-requisites for this course

Course Description

In this course you will explore different methods to develop networking skills and how to promote yourself to potential employers and/or clients. You will participate in relevant industry networks and learn how to maximise and maintain on-going industry relationships.  You will develop the tools to enable you to negotiate work arrangements collaboratively, undertake planning, and develop an understanding and managing financial and business aspects on a freelance basis to negotiate a project brief.
This unit is delivered and assessed with BUSM7947C (BSBREL401) Establish Networks           


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFIND401A Provide services on a freelance basis

Element:

1 Promote yourself to potential employers

Performance Criteria:

1. Establish, follow up and regularly maintain business contacts within industry
2. Participate in relevant networks to support your freelance activity
3. Identify and follow appropriate strategies to enhance your professional reputation
4. Maximise your reputation by circulating current and succinct information about your experience
5. Join and maintain regular contact with relevant employment networks
6. Advertise your services in relevant media outlets as required
7. Produce and distribute promotional material as required

Element:

2 Negotiate work arrangements

Performance Criteria:

8. Establish clear performance outcomes for jobs and agree on fees, schedules and expenses
9. Ensure that contracts contain payment terms and conditions that provide a viable cash flow
10. Ensure that contracts contain a clear statement of the obligations of all parties and a process for varying terms and conditions
11. Ensure that the terms of contracts match agreements and securely store written copies of final signed contracts for reference during the course of jobs 12. Negotiate variations to contracts as required
13. Seek specialist advice in the development of contracts where appropriate
14. Be willing to adapt to the demands of others, but without compromising your personal work ethic and reputation 15. Be prepared to reject work offers that do not provide sufficient financial remuneration or job satisfaction

Element:

3 Manage financial and business aspects of freelance work

Performance Criteria:

16. Seek advice on and determine the most appropriate way of operating as a freelancer
17. Set up and use effective systems for managing budgets, finance and paperwork
18. Establish and maintain effective support services
19. Establish a realistic fee structure that takes into account all factors associated with your freelance activity
20. Plan ahead to organise and maintain a viable work and cash flow
21. Send invoices in line with payment terms and conditions and follow up any non-payment of invoices promptly and in a businesslike manner
22. Keep simple but accurate and up-to-date accounts and records
23. Submit annual tax returns, using the services of an accountant as required
24. Comply with regulatory, taxation and insurance requirements relevant to freelance activities

Element:

4 Undertake strategic planning

Performance Criteria:

25. Identify and implement strategies that help identify work opportunities at an early stage
26. Seek constructive feedback from relevant people about your performance and evaluate feedback to identify personal development needs
27. Identify opportunities for ongoing professional development and take appropriate action to ensure that your skills and knowledge keep pace with industry developments
28. Identify and act on opportunities to expand your client base, either alone or in partnership with other freelancers
29. Regularly revisit, review and set realistic objectives
30. Continually monitor and analyse work options against quality of life, and artistic and commercial outcomes
31. Identify risk factors and take action to minimise risk when planning work activities


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge to demonstrate competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities may include tutorials, practical workshops and off campus research where you will be challenged to reflect and debate on different concepts and issues surrounding contemporary styling situations and develop solutions for working freelance, this will include establishing a network of contacts.
You will be required to participate in case study learning, problem solving activities, self-reflection and discussion.  Activities will encourage both individual and group based learning responsibilities and outcomes.


Teaching Schedule

Week 1
Introduction Where and how do stylists get work?
Give examples:

How do you get your name out there?
Class Discussion
Where to advertise your work
THE IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING-
1: How to Develop and Maintain business Networks: Discussion on ways to develop networks -
Class task: Break up into groups of 3 and discuss amongst selves ways to promote networking opportunities

 WEEK 2

Intro: Strategy for creative Branding - Developing their personal style -
Developing a concise look around your personal brand including:
● Blog
● Business cards,
● Letterheads, Invoicing statements, quoting, resume,

Discuss the necessity to follow through with personal branding and how it sends a message to people

Powerpoint on different styles of branding and a discussion on what it is saying - facilitate networking and the need to develop strong personal branding:Discussion

PRESENT ASSESSMENT TASK 2

Developing personal branding and design for the following: 
● business cards,
● personal blog,
Stationery including:
● Invoicing
● quoting
● letterhead
● resume

Task 2 - Step 1:
Develop a mood board - developing and understanding your own personal style:
Come up with a personal preference for:
● Colour palette
● Visual imagery including logos,
● font
● design layout

Explanation of what is required on a mood board - include examples

WEEK 3
Powerpoint on different bloggers, stylists, magazines , design, aesthetics-
discuss set design/colour palette and the necessity of telling a story - also apparent in branding

Task 2 - Step 2:
Start researching existing lookbooks, designers, bloggers, stylists  they like and how they present their work. (start getting an idea of work that you like), 30 mins to do this
present back to peers
Continue work on mood board inspiration


WEEK 4
Task 2 - Step 3:
Present finals of mood board, style and intentional branding
Discussion around how they came to the process, what influenced their likes and dislikes
Task 2 - Step 4:
Begin working on final design for all related brief requirements:
● Blog
● Business cards,
● Letterheads, Invoicing statements, quoting, resume

Introduce Assessment Task  1:
Research:
Where/how to network to build contacts
Who are the relevant people to target at events

Work out an action plan timeline to be started in class and completed for H/W for the following week and presented.
Who will you contact for assisting work etc, ongoing report must be time lined and presented
● Include all email contact made
● Phone calls made
● meeting times and outcomes

WEEK 5

COLLABORATIONS - WHERE AND HOW:
Discussion on the necessity to collaborate   who, where, why how including
Photographer, Client,H/M, Agency etc

PRESENT ASSESSMENT TASK 3 - Styling Brief
Task outline - client and story
Concept negotiations with team
Execute shoot with your team 

Task 3 - Step 1:
Breaking down the brief:

● What is the product- Will you find an actual client that sells the product?
● Where and how will you attain products required for the shoot?
              Eg designer, shop,
● Timeline of plan of actio
● Who is the target market?
● Where is your shoot designed to be used?
● Is it an advertising or editorial shot? - What’s the difference?
              eg web, magazine, billboard, editorial, instagram, etc?
● Where will you shoot?

Task 3 - Step 2:
Developing a concept to pitch

● What is the story behind your shot?
● What colour palette  will you be working with?
● Will you be shooting in studio or on location and why?
● You need to develop a mood board with the following:
reference imagery representing your look and feel ( from other magazines etc)
colour pallette
textures
location ( shots of the location required)
A mock up of your intended look
Task 3 - Step 3 :
Working collaboratively

Present your pitch/idea to a collaborative team
Timeline of events:
Meetings with photographers
Discussions outline of topics discussed and concept development with photographer, MUA etc
Negotiating skills - How to build skills
How to negotiate for a mutually acceptable outcome

Task 3 - Step 4 :
Liaise with businesses/ designers/ retro/second hand prop shops for shoot
Negotiate for a mutually acceptable outcome
Managing terms/ usage/  etc
Time for prints re team?
Borrowed product  what will you negotiate if using someone’s product, eg Will the shop/designer have free unlimited,access to the shots?
Who has copyright of the shots?
How long will they be used for? ………….
Documented/ discussed
Task 3- Step 5:
Refining the brief/ concept
Task 3 - Step 6:
Shooting

WEEK 6
Task 2 - Step 5:
Present final  business id and blog site. 
Discuss the process, changes along the way, discoveries - This will be accessible

Present ideas for Task 3 - Step 1:
Breaking down the brief:

WEEK 7
Present ideas for Task 3 - Step 2:
Developing a concept to pitch

WEEK 8
Present timeline for Task 3 - Step 3 :
Working collaboratively
Utilise the time for meetings and collaborations

WEEK 9
Step 4 Liaise with businesses
WEEK 10 &11
Step 5:
Refining the brief/ concept

Present final concept

WEEK 11 to14
Shoot time scheduled / studio or location
Planning for disruptions

WEEK 15
Final presentations
AT1 & 3

WEEK 16
STUDENT FEEDBACK & REVIEW SESSIONS


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


You will have access to a simulated styling design workroom, fitting rooms and facilities such as computer laboratories as required. Plus an On-line learning HUB

The University Library has extensive resources for Fashion and Textiles students. The Library has produced a number of subject guides that includes quality online and print resources for your studies Fashion and Textiles Library Guides including;
•Fashion magazines
•Fashion Books
•Database (e.g. WGSN, Stylesight)
•library guides


The Library provides guides on academic referencing http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian Michelle Matheson michelle.matheson@rmit.edu.au (Brunswick)
 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course and has been designed to measure achievement of each element in a flexible manner. Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including projects and assignments designed for students to demonstrate their ability to work within contemporary styling situations and develop solutions for working freelance, this will include establishing a network of contacts.
To successfully complete this course students must demonstrate competency in all elements as listed

Students will be eligible for a graded result higher than Competency achieved only if competency has been demonstrated within the standard enrolment period and on the first assessment attempt. Units assessed as ‘not yet competent’ on a first assessment attempt and ‘competent’ on a second or subsequent attempt are to have results amended to competent but will not be eligible for grading. Students are advised that they may be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to confirm aspects of competency not evidenced in class or through assessments.
All work must be submitted by the due date. Late submission will not be graded higher than a Competency Achieved (CAG)

Assessment will include:
Task 1 - Contacts Data Base
Task 2 - Self-Branding Pack
Task 3 - Style and produce a magazine cover

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester on all assessment tasks. All assessment tasks must be completed before competency can be achieved.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment
 


Assessment Tasks

Task 1 - Contacts Data Base: due Week 15

You are to create an excel database for potential networking contacts – with a view to generating work experience, paid placement, internship and or mentoring

Task 2 - Self-Branding Pack : due Week 6

Developing personal branding and design for networking purposes for the following:

  • business cards
  • personal blog
  • stationery including Invoicing, quoting, letterhead, resume

 Task 3 - Style and produce a magazine cover; due Week 15

Conceptualise, Style, Collaborate and execute a project brief for the cover of a weekend magazine

 

 


Assessment Matrix

                  

 

 

 

 

 

Element 1 Promote yourself to potential employers

Element 2
Negotiate work arrangements

Element 3
Manage financial and business aspects of freelance work

Element 4 Undertake strategic planning

Assessment Task 1 - Contacts Data Base

X

X

X

X

Assessment Task 2 - Self-Branding Pack

X

 

X

X

Assessment Task 3 - Style and produce a magazine cover

X

X

X

 

 

 

Other Information

Study and learning Support:

Study and Learning Centre (SLC) provides free learning and academic development advice to all RMIT students.
 Services offered by SLC to support numeracy and literacy skills of the students are:
 - Assignment writing, thesis writing and study skills advice
 - Maths and science developmental support and advice
 - English language development

Please refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre to find more information about Study and Learning Support.

Disability Liaison Unit:

Students with disability or long-term medical condition should contact Disability Liaison Unit to seek advice and support to complete their studies.
 Please refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/disability to find more information about services offered by Disability Liaison Unit.

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
 All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Special consideration, appeals and discipline :

Special consideration:

Please refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=riderwtscifm (unresolved) to find more information about special consideration.

Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is a form of cheating and it is very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University.

Please refer: www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity to find more information about plagiarism.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview