Set designer Lou Blackshaw gives advice that could help transform your career...
Lou Blackshaw - The set designer Lou Blackshaw, 29, is a freelance set designer, prop maker and art director, whose clients include Lulu Guinness, Cath Kidston, Ed Sheeran and Harrods. She has her own studio in London and works on everything from advertising campaigns to bespoke artwork and window displays.
Here are three of Lou's tips for getting ahead...
'Set design is not a 9 to 5. If you want to be out of work at a certain time each day and get paid a certain amount of money each month, then it's probably not the right job for you. Every day is different, so you have to take whatever comes at you.'
'Throw yourself into an area you like and try everything. You don't have to know what you want to do with your life. I didn't grow up wanting to be a set designer; I studied illustration at university. It doesn't matter if you don't end up pursuing something in the long-term - you can still take those experiences and apply them elsewhere.'
'Help each other out. I met most of my contacts assisting other set designers. It's not too late to get tickets for our 2016 MC@Work Live event on 23 April 2016, with inspiring speakers, tutorials and workshops.