Does the concept of professionalism apply to the creative industries?

In this post, I will take a brief look at professionalism and whether or not I feel we can apply this to the creative industry; more specifically, the Animation and Games industry and the benefits that can become from doing so.

What is a professional?

It is assumed that a professional is an individual that has a considerable amount of knowledge and experience in a given industry. However, there is more to it than that. Being professional is about being reliable, setting your standards and showing that you care about every aspect of your job. In addition, it's about being diligent and organized and holding yourself accountable for your thoughts, words and actions.

"'Professionalism'" is commonly understood as an individual's adherence to a set of standards, code of conduct or collection of qualities that characterize accepted practice within a particular area of activity."

 -Universities UK et al. 2004

By conducting yourself in a manner that is considered professional, you can significantly improve your image in the eyes of your peers and even prospective clients. As a result, you will gain more trust, respect, and a more successful career.

Attributes of Professionalism

According to Author Joseph Migga Kizza, four pillars support professionalism. 

Commitment

commitment is a pledge to a cause, regardless of any hindrance. There should be a complete focus on the project at hand. Professionals should not be held back and do their best to complete the task, even if this means requesting help. There should be honesty and openness with themselves and others so as not to derail or disrupt the project's momentum.  

Integrity

Integrity is an individual's quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Having good integrity provides value and a sense of self-belief and should provide a vision for how remarkable they and their work can be. They should be inspired by their current position and strive to express themselves creatively rather than feeling like a burden.   

Responsibility

Working within the creative industries comes with many responsibilities that professionals consistently maintain. Commitment to the company, their boss and the end user are but a few, but accountability is one of the most important. Being up to date with all current industry standards and striving to improve ensures that a professional can produce products to their highest potential.  

Accountability

Being accountable for one's actions is very important. Professionals must be willing to admit their own mistakes when they have done wrong and be ready to do anything it takes to get the project back on track. 

Professionalism in the Games and Animation Industry

So, why does professionalism matter in the creative industries? Businesses, like any other industry, form the animation industry. These businesses all have a common goal, to produce high-quality, meaningful content to an industry standard. Meeting these standards requires all the qualities of a professional to be completed. If professionalism wasn't a common practice within the Animation industry, I can guarantee we would not have access to the many movies, series and shorts we watch and enjoy today.

Pictured above are Disney's nine famous old men; besides their incredible talent and each being masters in their craft, it wasn't just their skills that made them professionals. What made them professional was their commitment and dedication to the vision of Walt Disney. They always delivered. Walt Disney built his empire on the cornerstones of these men and their ''professionalism''.

There are many good Artists out there but what distinguishes the 'pros' isn't just that they are paid. Instead, professionals are expected to assure a degree of quality and an expectation of delivery. 

Professional Codes of conduct and Ethical Behavior

Any modern professional industry will provide its employees with codes of professional conduct and ethical behavior to promote high standards of professional practice and define a benchmark for acceptable behavior. They do this to ensure a positive work environment for all participants. A foundational concept for this code is that we all share responsibility for our work environment. 

The game industry follows these codes like any other industry, and the governing association IGDA (International Game Developers Association) is there to protect and support any individual's career. IGDA is a non-profit, professional association whose mission statement is to:

"Support and empower game developers worldwide in achieving fulfilling and sustainable careers." - IGDA.

IGDA refers to any harassment or mistreatment an individual might face in the workplace on top of disputes about unfair/underpaid wages or extreme hours. IGDA is a point of contact and support for anyone in this industry who might confront these issues.

Reputation matters. Promoting yourself in a good light and upholding the fundamental principles of professionalism will only help further your goals and aspirations. The respect and trust gained will ensure a long and prosperous career and, hopefully, allow you to land that dream role. As a newcomer to the animation/games industry and a potential future junior professional, I know that I will be taking all of these professional attributes into account while conducting myself in the role and gaining all skills and knowledge necessary to get there. 

To conclude, I will leave you with the words of David Maister;

"A professional is not a label you give yourself - it's a description you hope others will apply to you" - David Maister. True professionalism