At Open Sessions, speakers share their career-defining moments and advice for getting started in a creative field. It is also an opportunity to make new connections and meet like-minded people.

At Open Session #12, guest speakers Ione Gamble of Polyester Zine and Greg Stanley of Offie Mag discussed the realities of DIY publishing, building a brand, and new media.

IONE GAMBLE

polyesterzine.com

As founding editor-in-chief of Polyester zine, Ione commissions, produces, and oversees all content under Polyester print and online, including partnerships and collaborations. She also the host of The Polyester Podcast.

With a focus on contemporary feminism, arts and culture and identity; she also regularly freelance for both print and online publications, including Vice, Noisey, Huck Magazine Dazed, i-D, Riposte, and more.

As part of Polyester, she has curated exhibitions and events including Female Matters’, an art show to raise funds for FGM charities, ‘What Does Our Future Hold?’ a curated intersectional tarot deck and one night show, and a third birthday exhibition at Protein Studios to celebrate three years of Polyester.

She also works on production, art direction, and the overseeing of commercial projects, with clients including Nike, Converse, The BFI, Napapijri, Melissa Shoes, Dream Wife, Test Pressing Festival and Lovebox Festival.

GREG STANLEY

offlicensemagazine.com

Greg is a freelance journalist and photographer, and the Editor-in-Chief of Off Licence Magazine, a Brighton-based print publication that covers underground music and culture. Greg started the magazine in 2017 with a few friends and what was left of my student loan and says that it ‘still has that DIY feel three years on… in a good way’.

Formally Viral, now Lighthouse Young Creatives, is a project for 16-25 year olds who want to work in the creative and digital industries, but who don’t have the opportunities, facilities and connections they need. The project is for young people from diverse backgrounds, including those not in work or training.

Over six months the young people receive production training, business development, mentoring, showcasing opportunities and peer-to-peer support. The project focuses on a range of disciplines including music, film, photography and design.

Viral Open Sessions are presented by Lighthouse with support from Re-Imagine Europe, co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union and are part of the Viral programme.