FH3S27 - Preparation for Industry 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: FH3S27
Module Title: Preparation for Industry
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Fashion, Marketing and Photography
Faculty Sub Group: Photography
Module Leader: Lisa Barnard, Eileen Little
Module Team: David Barnes, Paul Reas, Steven Wright, Karin Bareman
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100632 - visual communication
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

  • To encourage students to engage with their chosen industry and develop a working network and understanding of professional activities that will assist their future professional progression
  • To develop student’s confidence in engaging with professionals within their chosen field of interest.

Content Summary

The final year of the course provides a framework for the student to develop sustained portfolio work through practical projects. Additionally, it is important that students further refine their understanding of professional contexts and the processes that are at the heart of business practice and creative development within the creative industries. This module encourages the student to research areas of practice that are pertinent to them and facilitates a detailed understanding of the fundamental aspects of business practice that complements the making of the work.

This is an outward facing module that expands the foundations of business practice, creative strategies, marketing and distribution networks that are key to the photographer working today. The student will gain an understanding of the aspects of central business workflow that are integral to a sustained professional practice. The rationale for this module has, at its core, the ambition for students to take forward the sophisticated and refined practical work that they achieve in wider modules and deploy knowledge gained in this module when establishing their position within the creative field.

The module will be built on a series of lectures, seminars and practical workshops that consolidate aspects of creative workflows that are fundamental to the organisational structure of the contemporary practitioner. The student will carry out industry-based research on an area that they feel pertinent to their own professional development and, through research, site visits or onsite experience, prepare a case study that offers a significant contribution to their understanding of the aspect of the industry that they aspire to.

Dependent on the response of students to the module brief, this module could require adherence to USW ethical guidelines.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Seminar 30
Tutorial 3
Independent Study 104
Directed Study 51
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Identify and complete primary research and to summarise this into a form that facilitates preparation for industry.
LO2 Evaluate and present aspects of commercial business practice pertinent to the contemporary and professional photographer.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Assessment will be based on the submission of an appropriately referenced, written report with illustrations of relevant supporting material, e.g. photographs, transcripts of interviews and audio-visual media. The report will relate to an aspect of professional practice that is pertinent to the student's own professional development. 0 3600 60 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1 The student will deliver a 15-minute presentation of the research outcomes at an appointed time. 15 N/A 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1
Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1

Reading List

Thomas G and Ibbotson J (2003) Beyond the Lens: Rights, Ethics and Business Practice in Professional Photography: Association of Photographers

Pritchard, L. (2012) Setting Up a Successful Photography Business: How to be a Professional Photographer. A & C Black Publishers Ltd

Read & Simmons (2017) Photographers and Research: The role of research in contemporary photographic practice: Routledge

Cottrell, S. (2015) Skills for success?: personal development and employability. 3rd edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Krohn-Ambrise, V. (2013) Art write - writing guide for visual artists. Eugene. Luminare Press

Maitreya, S, 2007. How to succeed in commercial Photography, USA: Allworth Press

Piscopa M, 2001. The Photographer's Guide to Marketing and Self promotion, USA: Allworth Press,

Wojak, A (2011) Starting Your Career as an Artist: A Guide for Painters, Sculptors, Photographers. USA: Allworth Press.

White, L. (2013) Photography Business Secrets: The Savvy Photographer's Guide to Sales, Marketing, and More: Edition Wiley

Sanders, D (2010) Fast Track Photographer, Revised and Expanded Edition: Leverage Your Unique Strengths for a More Successful Photography Business. 2nd Edn: Amphoto Books.

Bourne, S. (2011) Going Pro: How to Make the Leap from Aspiring to Professional Photographer.. Amphoto Books.

Perkins-Cooper, B (2008). Career Diary of a Photographer: Gardner's Career Diaries: Garth Gardner.

Luna, T (2006). How to Grow as a Photographer: Reinventing Your Career. 1st Edition Allworth Press

Cincotta, S. (2012) The Photographer's MBA: Everything You Need to Know for Your Photography Business: Peachpit Press.