Read the article about a furniture designer called Jez Richmond, and then complete the notes. Jez Richmond has been designing furniture for about 10 years. 'I just love working with my hands, producing something that looks good and has a practical purpose,' he explains. For the past three years, he has run his own business from a studio in his back garden. 'I've discovered that it isn't enough just to be good at making something,' he says. 'There's more to running a design business than that.' Jez never intended to become a designer. Although he was good at most subjects at school, it was art that he enjoyed most of all. He got a place at art college, and also worked part-time in a second-hand furniture shop. While working there, he often had ideas for things he could make himself. He realised that doing something practical was the key to having these creative thoughts. He started making his own items of furniture, which he describes as 'a range of peculiar and odd-shaped pieces'. He only sold a few, but was given some good advice - to work out what sort of people your customers are. Since doing that, he's found that he's been selling more. 'I've come to understand that you also need to consider how much people will pay,' he explains. 'That's essential if you want to make a living from your creativity.' Jez's furniture is hard to describe - he really has a style of his own. I asked him where his creative thoughts come from. 'I'd say that it's by letting yourself daydream,' he explains. 'I'm sure most creative people would agree with me on that, though to someone else it might just look like I'm being lazy!' But what happens if those ideas don't appear? I asked Jez if he ever felt like giving up when that happens. 'To keep a business going, I've realised it's important to have a strong sense of motivation. So when I'm lacking inspiration, going for a long walk is often the answer. By the time I get home, I've usually got something in my head to start working on.' Jez goes on to describe walking past an old bookshop one day on his way home. 'I just decided to pop in, for no particular reason. l'd never been in there before, but I could feel ideas forming within minutes - so I'd also say that putting yourself in unfamiliar places is something that really helps.' I asked Jez if there are other furniture designers who he admires. He names a couple of people that I haven't heard of, who he follows on social media. 'I now know that it's essential to be aware of your competitors - from a business point of view. But l've never wanted to take their ideas - I want my own, not someone else's. I actually find that looking through an old notebook is a better source of inspiration.' He takes one down from a shelf. It's full of drawings, notes, even bits of paper stuck here and there. He finds a page, then laughs as he shows me a photo of a chair he once made entirely from wire. 'It was so uncomfortable! But what I made next was a vast improvement. I've realised that making mistakes can be a good thing, as it often helps you to think of a way of creating better designs.' You are going to give a talk to your class at school about making a living by doing something creative. Prepare some notes to use as the basis for your talk. Make short notes under each heading. 9 The best ways to come up with ideas: $$\(\bullet\)$$ . . . $$\(\bullet\)$$ 10 What Jez has learned about running a business: $$\(\bullet\)$$ . $$\(\bullet\)$$ . $$\(\bullet\)$$

Answer:

Award 1 mark for each acceptable response, up to a maximum of 4 marks. Acceptable responses are:

The best ways to come up with ideas:
1 doing something practical
2 daydream
3 (going for long) walk / a walk
4 putting yourself in unfamiliar places
5 looking through notebook / keeping notes
6 making mistakes
Award 1 mark for each acceptable response, up to a maximum of 3 marks Acceptable responses are:

What Jez has learned about running a business:
7 not enough to be good at making something
8 work out sort of (people) customers (are)
9 consider how much people (will) pay
10 (have) motivation
11 (be) aware of competitors

Knowledge points:

Solution: