Reflecting on Werkshop Weekender 2024
Creating opportunities for emerging creatives
Werkshop Weekender is all about providing real-world experience to emerging creatives, offering them a space to develop essential design and personal skills while working collaboratively on a live brief. One of the things I loved most about this event was its inclusivity, welcoming participants over the age of 18 from all backgrounds, regardless of experience or education. I feel strongly that the creative industry should be accessible to everyone, and this weekend was a true reflection of that belief in action.
Throughout the weekend, participants were guided by the incredible Senior Creatives who not only shared their expertise but also provided mentorship and leadership as they tackled their brief. It was inspiring to see how much everyone learned and grew in such a short space of time. Witnessing new connections being made and ideas coming to life was a reminder of why I am so passionate about this initiative.
A creative community effort
None of this would have been possible without the dedication of the creative professionals who volunteered their time and energy, not only for the weekend, but also in the prep and lead up. Seeing this level of commitment from Bristol’s creative community was just brilliant. I want to extend a special thank you to Hannah Strickland - Design Director here at Halo, whose warmth and professionalism set the perfect tone for the weekend. Her leadership played a key role in making the experience as impactful as it was. Also a huge shout out to the team at WeDF for their support and handover - it would not have been possible without them.
Beyond the learning and creativity, what stood out to me the most was the sense of community and support that developed over the weekend. This event wasn’t just about the work, it was about people coming together, sharing knowledge, and making connections.
Looking ahead
As I reflect on the weekend, I feel incredibly lucky to have met so many talented and passionate people. Werkshop Weekender is more than just an event; it’s a movement towards a more inclusive and accessible creative industry. I can’t wait to see where the participants go from here!
To everyone who played a part in making this happen - thank you. Your generosity, energy, and enthusiasm made this weekend really special. Here’s to more opportunities, more creativity, and more collaboration in the future!
For more information on Werkshop Weekender and future events, visit werkshopweekender.org. To find out more about what we do at Halo - take a peek at our website.
Joe Keylock - Werkshop Weekender 2024 attendee
“The Werkshop Weekender was great! In a period of brain fog and creative block during my university studies, the raw nature of the screenless processes throughout the weekend seemed to reopen the floodgates of ideas, creativity, and general excitement for design work.
Through collaboration with people I’d never met before, we were encouraged to step out of our comfort zones both creatively and in terms of ‘networking’ - which, thanks to this experience, I now know to be something enjoyable and natural, rather than a terrifying, forced interaction.
Throughout the weekend, I learned a lot about the design industry and agency life, met so many great people, and enjoyed some seriously good food. It also led to some very cool opportunities since then. I genuinely couldn’t recommend it enough!”
Olivia Banks - Werkshop Weekender 2024 attendee
“I participated in Werkshop Weekender as a graduate trying to get a foothold into the industry and it was a fantastic experience. For me, the weekend highlighted the importance of communication within the design process. The screen-free approach meant that we were in constant discussion, really considering how best to communicate our ideas to each other and the Creative Directors who were wandering around. I was able to talk to and connect with so many inspiring and enthusiastic creatives and left Werkshop Weekender charged up for a career in the creative industries, with a wealth of new ideas and knowledge to apply to my own projects.”
