Perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of working life to have been dismantled by the ongoing coronavirus crisis is the lack of facetime with peers across the industry. The networking events that were so vital or simply the exhibits and showcases that allowed creatives to demonstrate their capabilities and gain support from their peers are not happening at the moment and yet they are perhaps more vital than ever.

In place of these physical gatherings have come a plethora of virtual events, conversations and many, many hours sat on mute, willing the call host to invite you to speak. Perhaps, at this stage in the pandemic, your video is already off by default. 

But there have also been platforms striving to create spaces in which creatives can showcase their work and get their name out there. One such initiative is #UpForCollab, a free-to-use, AI-powered platform open to the creative industry globally to showcase work and profiles. 

The new initiative sees EyeEm, a global marketplace for premium stock photography and professional photo and video productions, partner with Geometry to support and empower the global creative industry adversely affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. It allows creatives to both showcase their work, leveraging EyeEm’s AI technology, and also crucially to connect with brands and agencies across the industry.

Oxford Economics in partnership with the Creative Industries Federation forecast in June 2020 that more than 400,000 jobs and £77 billion in revenue could be lost this year. The UK’s creative sector pre COVID-19 was growing at five times the rate of the wider economy but has now been impacted twice as hard. 

Simon Cox, CEO at EyeEm, said: “No one was prepared for this extraordinary year. And while most companies slowly find their way back to a new normal, our global creative talent is toughing it out almost alone. We recognise that we can support the community in a positive way by empowering and connecting our most talented creators to those marketers and clients in need of fresh and authentic visual assets.”  

#UpForCollab is a creative solution to a creative’s problem, ensuring that brands and agencies are connecting with the best in class talent and offering up a crowdsourced, technologically-enabled platform to help creators across the industry thrive. 

Visit the #UpForCollab platform to find out more and share your work.