andrewrobertson-promotion

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Andrew Robertson

Promotion module

Evaluation 2

I found this module to be beneficial on a variety of levels and feel it has helped me move forward towards the Degree show with a better understanding of both my artistic output for the creative enquiry module and how to present it.  Working in a group was also advantageous, understanding and being aware of other people’s ideas and processes is a big part of my reason for studying in this format. 

I felt we all worked together well during the group tasks, and during the meetings we communicated well. We were able to come to clear decisions and allocation of tasks that were all successfully completed.

I also believe that our round table was a success, and there was engagement from everyone that attended, this was mostly due to the free-flowing nature of the event but also group members stepped in to lead the conversation at times as when required. The prompts I created were used but not wholly necessary, due to the flow of the event.     

The work I displayed in the test site exhibition was incomplete, however taking the time to think about how to present this work in a setting intended specifically for viewing allowed me to test out some of my ideas. I’m aware I am not yet fully sure how my final work will be presented and have progressed to further experiment with my possible final set up in my studio space.  Yet as with how I approached the test site I plan to be adaptable, working with both my work and the space provided in a fluid way, taking time to experiment with the construction of what will become an installation.

I consider my strategy for promotion detailed within my tumblr blog , to be of value. However, I do feel I could have taken more time to develop and hone it. I often have an abundance of ideas and end up only seeing a few of them come to fruition. I would have liked to have spent more time updating and tailoring my website to this module and would have liked to create more promotional content for my Instagram feed, yet this is actually something I’m often doing on the story and story highlights section of my Instagram feed on an almost daily basis. I’ve found the story part of the platform to be the area of Instagram I get most engagement. 

I’m also aware I have not taken a classic route regarding my business cards, however in many walks of life I’ve been forced to approach things differently and I’m now realising this is more often than not a strength and not a weakness. If  I had thought more about my little ANYROBOT 3D printed sculptures (business cards) could I have looked into incorporating NFC contactless microchips as to bring up my website or details when tapped on the back of a phone?  Something which is perhaps more feasible than I had initially thought.

In conclusion I feel I performed best during the group elements of this module, from the planning though to the test site exhibition as well as the round table. However as with much of my work, I could have performed more research into other’s methods and strategies.     

[andrewrobertson-promotion]

Andrew Robertson

Promotion module

Evaluation 1

Promotion Strategy

On a personal level I feel that the most important element of my promotional strategy Is embodied within the work I produce, however Simply producing this work is far from enough to encompass and produce a full and successful promotion strategy. Creating and curating spaces both in the real world and within the digital realm will play a significant element of this promotion module.  

Taking time to research both physical and online ways of presenting work, attending a variety of exhibitions during gallery visits as well as taking time to research and assess the impact and effeteness of other artist’s digital online presence.

Social media has become a very important part of self-promotion across many sectors.

This is perhaps especially true of the creative industries, providing artists and creatives with a platform to present their work to a potential audience of millions. Understanding of trends and ever-changing digital algorithms are tools which can be used to maximize the effectiveness of promotion across these platforms.

There are many social media planforms and understanding which are best to use as a promotional tool, for in this instance the promotion of art and creative pursuits is a good place to start. Allow all social media planforms will increase the potential audience for my work. After much time using a variety of these platforms including, Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram. I have made the decision to solely use Instagram as a promotional tool.  I feel its focus on Image based content best lends itself to displaying of my work, this along with the vast number of users on this planform I feel has and will continue to provide me with exposure while building a connections and networks within this space.

I had Considered Producing a new Instagram account specifically from this module however having used the platform for some time and building up a following of over 2500 users I felt it may be counterproductive to not use this to my advantage.

In the past I have used the Instagram platform to sell and promote my work to various levels of success, also using it as a platform to inform people of events and exhibitions I have been involved with, this has often been a success and has led to many networking opportunities and helped with event attendance.

Physical World Promotion

Many tools can be implemented when promoting oneself in a more face to face manor.

As mentioned before for me having thought provoking and in my opinion, “good” work is a huge part of this. Yet also having certain elements to back this up such as background information including artist and exhibition statements is also of value. Business cards and other promotional items are also often a successful to utilize while self-promoting. Having done various runs of self-made business cards in the past, during this module I am going to try something a bit different and have been looking into the possibility of creating 3D printed items which will perform a similar task.

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A short promotional video from my instagram feed

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Our padlet For Group B

this was used to organise our exhibition and I'm thankful to Emma and Rihanna for there work on this.

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Andrew Robertson Artist Statement

Andrew Robertson is a Glasgow based artist, working often with a camera, yet not exclusively. Across a variety of mediums, He taps into the full emotion of his life's lived - anywhere between the cheeky misbehaved boy he once was, to the bitter old man he is becoming. His body of work spans many topics. Themes of chronic health conditions as well as those of addiction and self-control run throughout his work. This along with a keen focus on current events and geopolitical issues forms much of his body of work. 

(I found it challenging to write an Artist statement, I found I didn't want to put myself in a box)

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Test Site Exhibition and Round Table

S W O T (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis

Strengths- I found this to be useful in gaging where I was and what I needed to do in regards to moving forward towards the degree show, I was aware that my work was incomplete yet I did not allow this to dishearten me, and I felt it had more of the affect to spur me on towards my goals for the degree show. I also found considering and looking at the work of my classmates in this setting useful. I think we all share ideas whether we realise or admit it and this is an important part of this type of study for me.

Weaknesses- as mentioned before my work was not complete and this could have been a draw back, but i think in life we have to learn to turn these things into positives, by being fully aware of what stage I was at this allowed me to see the path ahead more clearly.

Opportunities- I was really Glad some of the third year students came to our round table and to have there feed back and general chit chat was useful, Im alway interested to hear new ideas and opinions.

Threats- Perhaps a S W O T analysis is not best suited but I thought it would be fun. I guess the main Threats where, no one might have come to the round table..... once again highlighting the importance of promotion.

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As Mentioned

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As mentioned

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4. In Person Networking

I Think I used to be better at this sort of thing pre covid lockdowns. There is a quantifiable advantage to having face to face interaction and most of the meaningful and productive connections I've made in the creative world have come about this way. There is an art to conversation and indeed each different type of conversation.

Putting ones self forward and promoting themselves in a public way is not always easy and I thing, a skill most of us work on throughout our lives. It seems to me people who do well in the arts as well as most walks of life aren't afraid to use a little charm. (Grayson Perry comes to mind) Yet like most things in life there are no set rules, and Banksy who dose next to none of these things seems to have done quite well for himself.

image above taken from the Badroom Gallery Instagram summer 2020

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3. Business cards

Business cards are an important part of networking and can be used to quickly pass on your details in variety of situations. They can also be personalised to incorporate something of your ethos or style. I find myself thinking of the conversation in American Psycho where the minutest of details between colleges business cards are noted, lamented and adored.

In the past i've had various business cards and find they perhaps often just end up in back of a wallet or purse.

This time round i've looked into doing things a little different. Seen in the video.

A set of hand written business cards I produced earlier that each had a one off image made to look like Polaroid photograph. most of these are now gone and i may do anther run updated run for the degree show opening. I found not only did these sever as business cards but also engaged who was taking one as they had or where given a choice of which image they preferred. Perhaps this is an effective way of sticking in someones mind in a situation where people are receiving several peoples card, say perhaps a degree show opening.

The other items in the video are 3D printed mini plastic business reminders, I designed and had printed for me during this module.

There was once a time when you typed AnyRobot into Google and i was the first 3 results. Alas some polish company has stolen my name and is now at one and two. This shows, I really should have bought my website URL many years ago when it was still available, yet i choose not to as I'm a bit of an idiot. however its not all bad I still come up 3rd and 7th on a Google search, which is still rather good and if your looking for an Artist and not a computer systems company from Warsaw you'll almost certainly find me.

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https://anyrobot.wixsite.com/home/portfolio-4

2. Website and online Portfoilio

I treat my website, more like an extension of my social media, a link to it can be found on my instagram profile page.

I find the Wix website builder to be easy to use while having a wide range of functionality. I find having a full selection of my work on there from photography and Artwork to my Music (something also very Important to me) a good way to share and quantify what I do.

I understand it would be considered more professional to have, a payed URL, without the .wix.com and did look into it, yet i'm a skin flint and didn't want to pay for it.

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Social Media Presence

For a number of years I have been building and presenting a body of work on my instagram account (link above) . this is my only social media presence, other than use of tumblr for this course.

I have used a variety of platforms in the pass including Facebook and TikTok. yet I have found for me these things can become sink holes for my time and brain, therefor I have decided to move forward with what I consider to be the most appropriate platform for image based presentation and engagement. (Instagram).

Over the years I have had various levels of engagement on this platform and have found that certain type of content do better, i.e visual content with less concept behind it seems to do better. However i have moved more and more away from this over the last few years. working hard to instil concept and meaning to my work. this has not always been successful, however i am no longer willing to make the work I feel other want to see. i make the work i want to make, this may led to less success in terms of likes on social media, however authenticity and staying true to myself at this point in my journey seems of more value.

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Marketing and Promotion Strategy

After considering the previous exhibitions and events, pitfalls and successes. It is now time to produce a Personal Promotion Strategy, tailored specifically for this module and the degree show.

some elements to take into consideration moving forward.

social media presence

website with portfolio of work

business cards and promotional merchandise

in person networking

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My Original artist's statement

Used in the past I feel for the purposes of this module, I may have to be more specific, yet i do like both the ambiguity and poke of fun that comes with this one.

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"Hand"

By Piotr Gacmenga @ Salt space pentagon centre Glasgow

This was a Great exhibition, by my classmate and contemporary, Piotr Gacmenga. I've been to a few exhibitions in this space over the last few years and i've often found, there has been to much crammed into the space and sometimes even a clash between co- exhibiting artists in style of work, just making it all feel a bit to thrown together.

Piotr's work complemented and worked with this space incredibly well. His large scale black and white tiled prints both echoing the feel of the space as well as the frames of the large window, coming together in a why it had almost felt this work was created specifically for the space.

this is something I like to explore more and have indeed all year long had one eye on what the degree show space will be and how my work will sit within it.

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"Morning"

By Karen Gordon @ The Bothy on Cunningar Loop Dalmarnock Glasgow

This was a charming little exhibition.

It featured a selection of photographs taken by Karen Around the Cunningar Loop during her early morning walks, spanning the period of a year. I believe the choice of venue was curial to the success of this exhibition being within the grounds of the Cunningar Loop park. this along with it being held on a Saturday afternoon, led to a high passing footfall and vested interest from the local population.

Karen also invited some some local jazz musicians to play during the exhibition, this along with the coffee and cake vibe worked very well and had a feel of a community event as much as an exhibition.

I've known Karen for a few years now though the Glasgow photography scene, she currently has an exhibition in The Kelevngrove museum and art galleries, yet i though i'd chose this an an example as i was really impressed by the community involvement and feel of this exhibition.

Im also aware that Karen did well in the sale of prints her work from this exhibition. Again making me consider how and to what audience certain types of work are pitched.

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NHOTB & RAD

Beagales and Ramsey @ GOMA Royal Exchange Square Glasgow

I found this exhibition interesting, the artist's where not previously on my radar and there was much I liked about this exhibition, from the use of colour ,lighting and shadow giving the space a feeling of atmosphere, while attracting the viewers attention to the work also bringing the whole show together as a whole, was very effective.

the topic of consumerism was easy to pick up on without having to read much of the bunff, i know i should take more time to read at exhibitions, yet I don't and find myself addressing the work itself directly, being aware there are people like me viewing art but also people who take more time over provided written content is most probably an important factor to take into consideration moving forward.

My main criticism of this exhibition would be i felt the space was perhaps to big in some way for what the artists had produced, some of the worked seemed to be there as space filler as opposed to some of the work that seemed to be more well thought out.

In all fairness this is a large space, I believe many artists would struggle to fill in cohesive and complete way.