Why research? What's the purpose outside of a degree?

 I think the purpose and value of research is very much lost in the beginning stages of a degree, especially in first year (as a creative, anyway). The attitude of most is just the want to create continuously and 'improve' their skills and ability. This was certainly the case for me - I didn't see the point in research, outside of gaining factual information where it was needed (a valid and important form of research but certainly not the only form of crucial research). I saw it is as grading criteria that I threw in where I could - 'The work of this artist is interesting in the way they provoke emotions in the viewer, which is something I am trying to do', or something along those lines would usually be the case!

However, recently (yes, there is a reason for going so off topic here) I have really come to understand what research actually is, both for me as an individual but also in the great context. Since September I have been working as a content creator and graphics lead for the Res Life service through the uni and whilst I generally only use research as a tool of inspiration and fact finding, it still links to a premise I learnt whilst attending a number of talks by the careers and employability StartUp team. I did take a load of notes which I was going to include here but I don't think it's overly necessary, I'll just explain the small epiphany I came across. 

As a creative - and any career that requires selling a service or product, for that matter - we are looking to find our 'target audience', who will be interested in what we have to say/sell. In order to be successful in both finding said audience and to stand out within the noise of today's market, we need to know what already exists and what we can add to make if different and worth someones time. In essence, this is the base of what research is - finding where you fit in and what you can say that's new, through inspiration and original thinking (most of the time). This can be as simple as doing a quick google search for poster inspiration, taking what you see and making it your own through your individual style or message or as big as this current project! Whilst I haven’t yet delved into the depths of education and learning styles, that research will allow me to see what already exists and works and how I can use said information to make something different and hopefully helpful, through my voice.

I think the underlying issue, as I said at the start of this post, is that most students see research as something tedious and repetitive that has to be sone here and there, either to get out of 'creative block' or to have something to write about! The way I see it now though (as said person for so long) is to continually submerse yourself within your industry, to see what's going on and what's being discussed. As is often said, inspiration is all around us and usually comes about out of the blue - of course we can manufacture inspiration through specific research and researching into what we're interested in but in general, it's important to find ways to generally engage with the industry.

In other words... research can take a lot of different forms and is there to ensure your ideas have merit and are worth while developing, as well as providing continuous inspiration, however that might come about.