While you're busy building up a portfolio of beautiful designs and artwork, it's just as useful to make people aware of what you're doing both on and offline.

Aside from a web portfolio, keeping a blog with all your fresh pieces or work in progress, along with a collection of work by others that inspire you, might help give people an idea of the sort of work you do or are interested in getting involved with.

There are also a few regular meet-ups, events and organisations for creative folk in the midlands to socialise with other people in the industry;

• Digital Playground is a Friday fortnightly pub social in Digbeth, inviting professionals and graduates in the digital creative industries to network over a casual beer.

• Multipack is a community of web developers and designers from across the West Midlands who meet every second Saturday of the month

• Likemind is organised by the Supercool team, and is an informal coffee morning which meets on the third Friday of every month. It’s free, with wi-fi and open to anyone.

• Dr Sketchy’s Anti Art School takes places in cities across the UK, challenging traditional life drawing classes by using burlesque models. The Birmingham event is held every two months at The Victoria.

• Birmingham Zine Festival features a selection of artwork from artists connected to the alternative press, along with a wide range of self-published books, comics and magazines.

• Stitches and Hos is a knitting group held at Hare & Hounds on the last Tuesday of the month.

• Extra Special People is an associate membership programme for anyone who would benefit from engaging with a dynamic, ambitious, artist-led environment, with a range of opportunities for support, networking and career development.

• An Endless Supply is a collaborative publishing project, which encompasses curated exhibitions, events and performance. You can get involved by emailing them with proposals, ideas or contributions.

• The Lombard Method is an independently run studio and project space, with an environment for mutual artistic development, learning and networking.

• VIVID provides a resource for artists and curators in the form of commissions, residencies, exhibitions, publications, research, talks and touring activities.

• Coventry Artspace offers studio space with shared facilities, with membership options.

You might also want to broaden your skills and try something new at an evening or part time course;

• mac have a range of courses and workshops, from drawing and painting to jewellery design, with courses at beginner level its a great excuse to meet new people and try something different.

• Botanical Gardens have a few drawing, painting and photography courses.

• BOA @ millennium point is opening to 6th formers in 2011, specialising in digital, creative and performing arts.

Meanwhile, if you have artwork to sell or showcase it's worth getting in touch with these people;

• Handmade Birmgham hold a market in Birmingham city centre, where you can showcase and sell your work by hiring a stall for the day.

• We Are Birmingham own an independent shop selling the work of Birmingham based artists, designers and photographers. They also have a gallery/ exhibition space below the shop.

Next week we'll be offering some resources to help you find work and opportunities in the photography industry.

(Image by geishaboy500)

If you're looking for work in film and television, you don't need me to tell you that opportunities for newcomers can be few and far between, not to mention long hours for little or no money, all for that crucial bit of experience.
But if you've got the drive and ambition to stick it through the tough starting stages, here's a few things you might want to take a look at.

• BBC Trainee schemes – The beeb have got various trainee schemes in their Production, Design and Journalism departments which open throughout the year. To keep updated on when deadlines are approaching, follow them on Twitter.

• BBC Work Placements

• The Producers Forum is a membership based, sector-led professional organisation providing training, networking, and a cohesive lobbying voice for independent filmmakers.

• Ideas Tap are a creative network and funding body for emerging talent. They also provide information on jobs and opportunities in the creative industry.

• Shooting People is an international independent filmmakers network

• Royal Television Society (RTS) is the leading forum for discussion and debate on all aspects of the television community, they often hold events which are aimed at people trying to get into broadcasting.

• BECTU is the independent trade union for those working in broadcasting, film, theatre, entertainment, leisure, interactive media and allied areas. They also provide plenty of useful advice and resources including recommended rates, a tax gudie and legal FAQs.

• Community Channel broadcast original programmes that showcase the work of new directors and community filmmakers.

• Step2CollaboTV enables people from all aspects of film to forge relationships, share ideas, locate crews and promote their work.

• First Light offers funding opportunities for young filmmakers, along with industry news and updates on competitions.

• Birds Eye View celebrates and supports international women filmmakers, providing training, events, promotion and an annual festival.

• UK Film Council is the lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad.

• British Film Institute (BFI) promotes understanding and appreciation of film and television heritage and culture. Established in 1933, the bfi runs a range of activities and services.

• Skillset provides resources and information on training, courses, industry knowledge and offers funding opportunities.

There are also a number of organisations in Birmingham who provide resources along with events and meetups for filmmakers and those interested in the film and broadcasting industry;

• Screen WM provide funding for films and documentaries and are also a great source of information for news on competitions, festivals , workshops and opportunities in the film industry.

• Film Forum WM hold meet ups for filmmakers around the region, held monthly at The Victoria. They also tend to post up a lot of handy information on events and opportunities in the area.

• Film Rats is a bi-monthly social event held in Birmingham, showcasing film and music, amateur or professional.

• Animation Forum – if animation is your thing you might want to register yourself here, they also organise events and meetups for animators in the West Midlands.

• Digital Brum is useful for keeping up with one off events, which may not be listed elsewhere.

• Film Birmingham is another great source for film related news and projects happening in Birmingham. They can also help with filming locations and permits around the city.

• Locations is a collaboration between Screen WM and Film Birmingham, and is a database of locations, crews, facilities and film enquires in the West Midlands.

There are also lots of competitions and festivals which pop up all the time, and are a great way of getting your name into the industry if you have a short film, documentary or animation already completed. We’ll try to update on some of these when we spot them, but for more reliable sources, make sure you check some of the sites listed above.

Next week we'll be offering some resources for the art & design industry.

(Image by fredcamino)