What Creative Industries Are

Historically speaking, creative industries (also identified with cultural industries) are a relatively new area of the global market – the term itself appeared in the 90s. This sector is based on creative, innovative and talent-driven activities of creators of broadly understood art, culture, media and design. The basis of all creative activities is the rich and interdisciplinary knowledge of the creators of the creative sector, as a result of which goods and services with added value are produced and distributed (including high quality, attractive and thoughtful form, innovative solutions).

Creative industries are important due to their multidimensionality – they can become a tool for many aspects of social life. They have a multitude of creative layers, the most important of which are social, economic, cultural and those related to sustainable development.

The social aspect

The idea of creative industries initiated a number of changes in the social structure, creating a new, special group characteristic of a modern, post-industrial, innovative economy – the creative class. Its most important features are the ability to creatively use intellectual potential, which includes, among others: knowledge, the ability to think outside the box, communication skills both in the social dimension (social competences – building a network of professional and personal connections) and technological (digital competences – the ability to use modern communication tools and navigate in cyberspace). The common factor integrating the community is individualism, open-mindedness, autonomy and the belief in the high importance of creative competences and professionalism in both professional and social life.

Economic aspect

Trade of products from creative sector is becoming an increasingly large branch of world trade. From 1996 to 2005, global exports of visual arts increased from 10.3 billion to 22.1 billion. At the same time, the turnover of audiovisual media has tripled.

Cultural aspect

Creative industries are the bridge that connects culture and economy. On the one hand, they are a culture-forming factor, and on the other hand, they are an effective way in which culture influences the economy, thus building a stronger society. The appropriate selection of cultural goods, with a clear bonus for those that would not be created without a creative approach, proves their economic and social status.

Sustainable development

Much as the environment, cultural capital must also be protected. This role is perfectly fulfilled by various branches of the creative industries. The creative sector is also environmentally friendly in nature, as it is based on people and their ideas rather than on raw materials, and tends to be less dependent on heavy industry infrastructure.

Creative industries are primarily an area focused on passions, the ability to create and create innovation. The most important creative areas include areas that focus around:

• ads,
• film and video,
• architecture,
• music,
• art and antiques market,
• performing arts,
• computer and video games,
• publishing market,
• crafts,
• software,
• design,
• radio and television,
• fashion design.