Questionnaire:
1.) Recently, myself and James entered 10 awards between us for D&AD and YCN. This has possibly had a slightly negative impact on our Final Major Project's as we have not spent as much time on them as other people on our course who entered one or none. We felt that it is our last chance to win student awards so we wanted to give ourselves a good chance. Tutors have told us a number of times to be wary of spreading ourselves too thin on each entry by doing so many. We were advised to focus on one or two and make them entries better. However we feel all of the entries had a chance of winning so we worked them all up and sent them off.
Do you think we approached this in the right way or would you agree with my tutors? What are your thoughts on the subject of student awards?
In all honesty, I think your final projects are incredibly important to a certain extent in that they dictate your final marks/degree. However they are not the be all and end all – gaining experience and entering awards ( & winning them in your case) will be invaluable to your credentials and ultimately land you better jobs than your colleagues in the future! It is a balancing act between everything. I can see your tutors concerns as you must focus time and effort on your important projects but if you have time to enter and feel strongly about your work, then go for it – you’ve got nothing to lose, providing you don’t lose sight of your uni work alltogether!
2.) I am of the opinion that good ideas should be put ahead of the design of anything. I did my dissertation on this subject and found out a lot about products and advertising doing their job well rather than just looking nice.
How much emphasis do you think should be put into an idea with relation to the design and why?
A common industry saying is ‘Ideas Everything, Media Anything’ – think this is really important and design follows this philosophy to a certain extent. Basically, the ‘big idea’ drives everything and is the hook for all communication to hang off. The idea should drive the design although sometimes you see pieces of creative work that has a great idea but the design is totally shoddy. Like you say in your question, sometimes the design can be amazing and look nice but the idea just doesn’t cut it and deliver the single minded proposition, which is ultimately the most important thing. So, in answer to your question – I think the idea is the most important thing but the execution of that idea is important too, not just to sell that idea into the client but to the consumer too.
3.) I have now done a number of work placements at various design/ad agencies which I feel has helped me adapt to the industry. It is a much faster pace and more of a challenge to be in an actual workplace.
What do you think about the importance of placements and what are the benefits/disadvantages of having placements in your agency?
- Placements in my opinion are incredibly important. Not only are they important to the student, but to the agency too.
Benefits to agency: students breathe fresh ideas/new insights into an agency. A lot of the time, both account handlers and creatives have been working on their accounts/brands for long periods of time and can almost become too close to it, which can sometimes restrict thinking/fresh ideas. It’s always nice to have a new view/opinions, etc. They tend to work hard, get jobs done and be really eager to learn – a lot of senior people no longer have this!
Disadvatanges to agency: None in my opinion!!}
Advantages to students: Real experience of the agency world (the rat race), meet new people/contacts/networking, opportunities to get a job afterwards, earn money, etc etc
Disadvantages to student: sometimes placement students are not given the TLC they need (i.e not enough time given to them/teaching/learning/briefing, etc) purely because the buddy/mentor doesn’t have enough time themselves. Therefore some placements cannot be worthwhile to the student because they just end up making tea, etc.
4.) Pitching is obviously a big part of an agencies work these days. I have been involved in a few pitches and it's a good feeling when you win but I think it would feel like a lot of wasted time and money if you were to lose.
Do you agree with this system or do you take part in the pitching process out of necessity?
-I agree, it is a LOT of wasted time and money when you lose and very disheartening for the team. But you live and learn and believe it or not, you get a huge amount of experience and you can learn a lot from pitches and the pitch process. Sometimes pitches are just for fun (some agencies pitch for work just to get the brand/event in their portfolio – the kudos is often important for some agencies – e.g think Mccanns getting the Olympics but at a huge loss! Sometimes it is necessary, e.g because they need extra revenue & new business or sometimes you have to re pitch for existing clients which is more frustrating! I guess some people think the pitch process is part of the game – in my opinion & if I were the client, chemistry and credentials is more important than answering a pitch brief.
5.) I have been working as a freelancer recently and have run a small business the past couple of years which has helped me learn to deal with clients and sourcing web coders and signwriters etc.
Apart from being a source of income, do you feel that it is worthwhile during studying to get involved in real work and start to interact with other businesses. Do you think these skills can be important in helping you get a job?
100% - I think it is really important to have some business acumen before you enter the fast paced world we are in– you will be dealing with senior people, account handlers, other creatives, plus tonnes of other interesting people in your line of work so learning key skills early on how to handle situations/etc will prove invaluable. I think you’ll benefit from it all massively – it will also show potential employers that you are keen, entrepreneurial, driven, and can work with different types of people and characters, which will only work with you – not against you!.
Showing posts with label Contact Reports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contact Reports. Show all posts
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Contact Report - Questionnaire - Gary @ BJL
Questionnaire:
1.) Recently, myself and James entered 10 awards between us for D&AD and YCN. This has possibly had a slightly negative impact on our Final Major Project's as we have not spent as much time on them as other people on our course who entered one or none. We felt that it is our last chance to win student awards so we wanted to give ourselves a good chance. Tutors have told us a number of times to be wary of spreading ourselves too thin on each entry by doing so many. We were advised to focus on one or two and make them entries better. However we feel all of the entries had a chance of winning so we worked them all up and sent them off.
Do you think we approached this in the right way or would you agree with my tutors? What are your thoughts on the subject of student awards?
When you’re working in an agency things are very frantic so it’s normal for a team to be working on several projects at once. It depends on the team and how productive they are. I would always say go for as much as possible but your tutors do have a point. Make sure that by entering a lot you’re not compromising the time needed to craft each job. There’s no point entering 10 awards schemes for the sake of it. Make sure you focus on which are the best awards to enter.
2.) I am of the opinion that good ideas should be put ahead of the design of anything. I did my dissertation on this subject and found out a lot about products and advertising doing their job well rather than just looking nice.
How much emphasis do you think should be put into an idea with relation to the design and why?
The idea is king in everything we do. It’s the part that engages people and leaves a lasting impression which is so important to brands. We spend our time looking for these ideas and then we find the best way to deliver them. How any piece of communication should look is lead by the idea. It should have a great idea and a great look.
3.) I have now done a number of work placements at various design/ad agencies which I feel has helped me adapt to the industry. It is a much faster pace and more of a challenge to be in an actual workplace.
What do you think about the importance of placements and what are the benefits/disadvantages of having placements in your agency?
Advertising and design can be a difficult industry to break into and placements for student teams are really important. It’s the perfect chance for a team to really show a Creative Director what they can do and also it’s great for the team’s development. After leaving college, this is the only way for a team to really get up to speed with what’s needed in a busy agency. Most teams should come away from placements with work to put in their book that’s much more relevant to potential employers too. Placements in agencies are also good for contacts. It’s a small industry and people working in it generally know a lot of other people at different places.
4.) Pitching is obviously a big part of an agencies work these days. I have been involved in a few pitches and it's a good feeling when you win but I think it would feel like a lot of wasted time and money if you were to lose.
Do you agree with this system or do you take part in the pitching process out of necessity?
It’s great to win a pitch and losing them is a big disappointment. It can be a massive waste of time and money. I personally don’t like the system but unfortunately it’s the way it is.
5.) I have been working as a freelancer recently and have run a small business the past couple of years which has helped me learn to deal with clients and sourcing web coders and signwriters etc.
Apart from being a source of income, do you feel that it is worthwhile during studying to get involved in real work and start to interact with other businesses. Do you think these skills can be important in helping you get a job?
I think a degree course is important to broaden your thinking but it’s good to mix it with some real work if you can. Even if this is just getting feedback and building a dialogue with people in the industry early on rather than at the end of your course. However this shouldn’t be at the expense of your degree course. It’s also important to get the qualification you want.
1.) Recently, myself and James entered 10 awards between us for D&AD and YCN. This has possibly had a slightly negative impact on our Final Major Project's as we have not spent as much time on them as other people on our course who entered one or none. We felt that it is our last chance to win student awards so we wanted to give ourselves a good chance. Tutors have told us a number of times to be wary of spreading ourselves too thin on each entry by doing so many. We were advised to focus on one or two and make them entries better. However we feel all of the entries had a chance of winning so we worked them all up and sent them off.
Do you think we approached this in the right way or would you agree with my tutors? What are your thoughts on the subject of student awards?
When you’re working in an agency things are very frantic so it’s normal for a team to be working on several projects at once. It depends on the team and how productive they are. I would always say go for as much as possible but your tutors do have a point. Make sure that by entering a lot you’re not compromising the time needed to craft each job. There’s no point entering 10 awards schemes for the sake of it. Make sure you focus on which are the best awards to enter.
2.) I am of the opinion that good ideas should be put ahead of the design of anything. I did my dissertation on this subject and found out a lot about products and advertising doing their job well rather than just looking nice.
How much emphasis do you think should be put into an idea with relation to the design and why?
The idea is king in everything we do. It’s the part that engages people and leaves a lasting impression which is so important to brands. We spend our time looking for these ideas and then we find the best way to deliver them. How any piece of communication should look is lead by the idea. It should have a great idea and a great look.
3.) I have now done a number of work placements at various design/ad agencies which I feel has helped me adapt to the industry. It is a much faster pace and more of a challenge to be in an actual workplace.
What do you think about the importance of placements and what are the benefits/disadvantages of having placements in your agency?
Advertising and design can be a difficult industry to break into and placements for student teams are really important. It’s the perfect chance for a team to really show a Creative Director what they can do and also it’s great for the team’s development. After leaving college, this is the only way for a team to really get up to speed with what’s needed in a busy agency. Most teams should come away from placements with work to put in their book that’s much more relevant to potential employers too. Placements in agencies are also good for contacts. It’s a small industry and people working in it generally know a lot of other people at different places.
4.) Pitching is obviously a big part of an agencies work these days. I have been involved in a few pitches and it's a good feeling when you win but I think it would feel like a lot of wasted time and money if you were to lose.
Do you agree with this system or do you take part in the pitching process out of necessity?
It’s great to win a pitch and losing them is a big disappointment. It can be a massive waste of time and money. I personally don’t like the system but unfortunately it’s the way it is.
5.) I have been working as a freelancer recently and have run a small business the past couple of years which has helped me learn to deal with clients and sourcing web coders and signwriters etc.
Apart from being a source of income, do you feel that it is worthwhile during studying to get involved in real work and start to interact with other businesses. Do you think these skills can be important in helping you get a job?
I think a degree course is important to broaden your thinking but it’s good to mix it with some real work if you can. Even if this is just getting feedback and building a dialogue with people in the industry early on rather than at the end of your course. However this shouldn’t be at the expense of your degree course. It’s also important to get the qualification you want.
Contact Report-Questionnaire-Chris @ Driven
Questionnaire:
1.) Recently, myself and James entered 10 awards between us for D&AD and YCN. This has possibly had a slightly negative impact on our Final Major Project's as we have not spent as much time on them as other people on our course who entered one or none. We felt that it is our last chance to win student awards so we wanted to give ourselves a good chance. Tutors have told us a number of times to be wary of spreading ourselves too thin on each entry by doing so many. We were advised to focus on one or two and make them entries better. However we feel all of the entries had a chance of winning so we worked them all up and sent them off.
Do you think we approached this in the right way or would you agree with my tutors? What are your thoughts on the subject of student awards?
It's really down to how much work you can successfully cope with. Entering (and hopefully winning) student awards can be as useful if not more useful than your final project.
You guys seem to have a prolific work rate and demonstrating that is attractive to employers. I was impressed.
2.) I am of the opinion that good ideas should be put ahead of the design of anything. I did my dissertation on this subject and found out a lot about products and advertising doing their job well rather than just looking nice.
How much emphasis do you think should be put into an idea with relation to the design and why?
The two need to work together. There's no point in something looking great and failing to communicate what it's supposed to. Design can help an idea hugely, but you should always start with the idea.
3.) I have now done a number of work placements at various design/ad agencies which I feel has helped me adapt to the industry. It is a much faster pace and more of a challenge to be in an actual workplace.
What do you think about the importance of placements and what are the benefits/disadvantages of having placements in your agency?
Placements are very important. At the end of the day you need a job and agencies need talent, placements can help both parties.
From my own point of view having placements in the agency can range from being hugely positive to very negative. It's down to the quality of the individuals on the placement.
It takes a fair bit of time and effort to have people in on placement. It can be difficult finding enough time for both parties to benefit.
It's very important for the industry that agencies continue to offer placements.
4.) Pitching is obviously a big part of an agencies work these days. I have been involved in a few pitches and it's a good feeling when you win but I think it would feel like a lot of wasted time and money if you were to lose.
Do you agree with this system or do you take part in the pitching process out of necessity?
I think we're stuck with pitching. It's probably one of the biggest stresses in this industry but it also accounts for a lot of the highs.
I see no point in moaning about the system, just get on with it and make sure your pitch is better than the other guy's.
5.) I have been working as a freelancer recently and have run a small business the past couple of years which has helped me learn to deal with clients and sourcing web coders and signwriters etc.
Apart from being a source of income, do you feel that it is worthwhile during studying to get involved in real work and start to interact with other businesses. Do you think these skills can be important in helping you get a job?
Absolutely. The more real world industry experience you have the better.
1.) Recently, myself and James entered 10 awards between us for D&AD and YCN. This has possibly had a slightly negative impact on our Final Major Project's as we have not spent as much time on them as other people on our course who entered one or none. We felt that it is our last chance to win student awards so we wanted to give ourselves a good chance. Tutors have told us a number of times to be wary of spreading ourselves too thin on each entry by doing so many. We were advised to focus on one or two and make them entries better. However we feel all of the entries had a chance of winning so we worked them all up and sent them off.
Do you think we approached this in the right way or would you agree with my tutors? What are your thoughts on the subject of student awards?
It's really down to how much work you can successfully cope with. Entering (and hopefully winning) student awards can be as useful if not more useful than your final project.
You guys seem to have a prolific work rate and demonstrating that is attractive to employers. I was impressed.
2.) I am of the opinion that good ideas should be put ahead of the design of anything. I did my dissertation on this subject and found out a lot about products and advertising doing their job well rather than just looking nice.
How much emphasis do you think should be put into an idea with relation to the design and why?
The two need to work together. There's no point in something looking great and failing to communicate what it's supposed to. Design can help an idea hugely, but you should always start with the idea.
3.) I have now done a number of work placements at various design/ad agencies which I feel has helped me adapt to the industry. It is a much faster pace and more of a challenge to be in an actual workplace.
What do you think about the importance of placements and what are the benefits/disadvantages of having placements in your agency?
Placements are very important. At the end of the day you need a job and agencies need talent, placements can help both parties.
From my own point of view having placements in the agency can range from being hugely positive to very negative. It's down to the quality of the individuals on the placement.
It takes a fair bit of time and effort to have people in on placement. It can be difficult finding enough time for both parties to benefit.
It's very important for the industry that agencies continue to offer placements.
4.) Pitching is obviously a big part of an agencies work these days. I have been involved in a few pitches and it's a good feeling when you win but I think it would feel like a lot of wasted time and money if you were to lose.
Do you agree with this system or do you take part in the pitching process out of necessity?
I think we're stuck with pitching. It's probably one of the biggest stresses in this industry but it also accounts for a lot of the highs.
I see no point in moaning about the system, just get on with it and make sure your pitch is better than the other guy's.
5.) I have been working as a freelancer recently and have run a small business the past couple of years which has helped me learn to deal with clients and sourcing web coders and signwriters etc.
Apart from being a source of income, do you feel that it is worthwhile during studying to get involved in real work and start to interact with other businesses. Do you think these skills can be important in helping you get a job?
Absolutely. The more real world industry experience you have the better.
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Contact Report: Questionnaire - Carol @ Mccann Erickson
Questionnaire:
1.) Recently, myself and James entered 10 awards between us for D&AD and YCN. This has possibly had a slightly negative impact on our Final Major Project's as we have not spent as much time on them as other people on our course who entered one or none. We felt that it is our last chance to win student awards so we wanted to give ourselves a good chance. Tutors have told us a number of times to be wary of spreading ourselves too thin on each entry by doing so many. We were advised to focus on one or two and make them entries better. However we feel all of the entries had a chance of winning so we worked them all up and sent them off.
Do you think we approached this in the right way or would you agree with my tutors? What are your thoughts on the subject of student awards?
Well...you made the right decision for you at the time based on your future ...one of the things I learnt in the first few years was about not being able to do everything and having to make choices...some right...some were wrong. Some force you to be strict on yourself...like when you have 1 day left before a pitch and you’ve a head full of ideas and which one do you pick to run with because you can’t and shouldn’t make them all...you have to be strict and only do the best one. Equally you shouldn’t go for the easy one.... 1 day left and the best idea is a 12 foot tall giraffe or whatever.... Well go ahead and make it even if it seems like a bit of an impossibility. But 10 awards seems like a tall ask to do a great job on all of them and the thing that suffered was your FMP. Guess you have to work out what the consequences are to your choice. If you are confident you put some great ideas into the awards then I’d say that’s a good choice. Having awards to your name is great when touting your book and not many people will ask what your FMP mark was!!! If you win nothing and get a crap mark then ouch but you learnt something. And anyways...you have a good great book to show at your final show.
2.) I am of the opinion that good ideas should be put ahead of the design of anything. I did my dissertation on this subject and found out a lot about products and advertising doing their job well rather than just looking nice.
How much emphasis do you think should be put into an idea with relation to the design and why?
Both should be brilliant. But then the idea can be the design of it. Depends what it is really...eg product design...the idea is usually an innovation in the design. However... A great idea not so beautifully designed is far more satisfying than just a beautiful looking thing that has no substance. Depends what it is really...if you were designing a toothbrush...yes some new innovation idea would be great...but so would just a really funky looking design. If you’re talking more like an ad...I usually find the beautiful ones without an idea instantly gratifying but soon forgotten. The ones with an idea as well last. It’s an idea that connects us...engages us...finds empathy with us.
3.) I have now done a number of work placements at various design/ad agencies which I feel has helped me adapt to the industry. It is a much faster pace and more of a challenge to be in an actual workplace.
What do you think about the importance of placements and what are the benefits/disadvantages of having placements in your agency?
They are crucial to you. Gives you sense of reality...and hopefully excites you about your future.
For us...occasionally they are a drag if the student doesn’t throw themselves at it 200% and you end up just finding stuff for them to do...but if you find a great student then its fun and it reminds you what got us doing this in the first place ...makes me want to do just ideas and no meetings ha ha.
4.) Pitching is obviously a big part of an agencies work these days. I have been involved in a few pitches and it's a good feeling when you win but I think it would feel like a lot of wasted time and money if you were to lose.
Do you agree with this system or do you take part in the pitching process out of necessity?
It’s necessary to continually proactively hunt new business. But also to service your existing clients as if they are new ones. New customers cost more to get than keeping old ones so never forget to treat them as special as the first day. There are occasionally fixed fee based pitches but these are rare. Sometimes remuneration based pitches with costs covered but only if you win. Most are win or lose out...so you just have to win more than lose...and win the big ones ( and some smaller ones if they look good on your client list so add their own value ). You just have to be careful what you go for and ascertain the cost of success/failure. Pitches can easily cost thousands and thousands if films involved and man hours are high. Its alright thinking you can do all the work in house but you still need to cover salary. Some of this is absorbed but your overall business plan must include a budget towards new business.
Re how it feels – like all things in life –the best ever feeling if your effort pays off and the worst if it doesn’t...but that just proves you put your all into it and that’s the only way to tackle a pitch. They are part of our business. However, more and more we will win business on reputation ( credentials pitches) and menu costing. So a potential new client can see what you have done/won, maybe expect a point of view on their business, and know exactly what its going to cost them.
5.) I have been working as a freelancer recently and have run a small business the past couple of years which has helped me learn to deal with clients and sourcing web coders and signwriters etc.
Apart from being a source of income, do you feel that it is worthwhile during studying to get involved in real work and start to interact with other businesses. Do you think these skills can be important in helping you get a job?
Absolutely...real experience is invaluable. Helps you understand how people’s jobs interlink in the chain from idea to finished production. Helps you negotiate and hit deadlines. But importantly...it can teach you the importance of responsibility...taking that leap of faith with a supplier, with your client’s money but at your risk, and make damn well sure its your responsibility it turns out perfect as you want it.
Re job seeking it definately gives you a head start...its the difference between hiring someone from scratch and training them everything and being able to give them a brief on day one and let them get going.
1.) Recently, myself and James entered 10 awards between us for D&AD and YCN. This has possibly had a slightly negative impact on our Final Major Project's as we have not spent as much time on them as other people on our course who entered one or none. We felt that it is our last chance to win student awards so we wanted to give ourselves a good chance. Tutors have told us a number of times to be wary of spreading ourselves too thin on each entry by doing so many. We were advised to focus on one or two and make them entries better. However we feel all of the entries had a chance of winning so we worked them all up and sent them off.
Do you think we approached this in the right way or would you agree with my tutors? What are your thoughts on the subject of student awards?
Well...you made the right decision for you at the time based on your future ...one of the things I learnt in the first few years was about not being able to do everything and having to make choices...some right...some were wrong. Some force you to be strict on yourself...like when you have 1 day left before a pitch and you’ve a head full of ideas and which one do you pick to run with because you can’t and shouldn’t make them all...you have to be strict and only do the best one. Equally you shouldn’t go for the easy one.... 1 day left and the best idea is a 12 foot tall giraffe or whatever.... Well go ahead and make it even if it seems like a bit of an impossibility. But 10 awards seems like a tall ask to do a great job on all of them and the thing that suffered was your FMP. Guess you have to work out what the consequences are to your choice. If you are confident you put some great ideas into the awards then I’d say that’s a good choice. Having awards to your name is great when touting your book and not many people will ask what your FMP mark was!!! If you win nothing and get a crap mark then ouch but you learnt something. And anyways...you have a good great book to show at your final show.
2.) I am of the opinion that good ideas should be put ahead of the design of anything. I did my dissertation on this subject and found out a lot about products and advertising doing their job well rather than just looking nice.
How much emphasis do you think should be put into an idea with relation to the design and why?
Both should be brilliant. But then the idea can be the design of it. Depends what it is really...eg product design...the idea is usually an innovation in the design. However... A great idea not so beautifully designed is far more satisfying than just a beautiful looking thing that has no substance. Depends what it is really...if you were designing a toothbrush...yes some new innovation idea would be great...but so would just a really funky looking design. If you’re talking more like an ad...I usually find the beautiful ones without an idea instantly gratifying but soon forgotten. The ones with an idea as well last. It’s an idea that connects us...engages us...finds empathy with us.
3.) I have now done a number of work placements at various design/ad agencies which I feel has helped me adapt to the industry. It is a much faster pace and more of a challenge to be in an actual workplace.
What do you think about the importance of placements and what are the benefits/disadvantages of having placements in your agency?
They are crucial to you. Gives you sense of reality...and hopefully excites you about your future.
For us...occasionally they are a drag if the student doesn’t throw themselves at it 200% and you end up just finding stuff for them to do...but if you find a great student then its fun and it reminds you what got us doing this in the first place ...makes me want to do just ideas and no meetings ha ha.
4.) Pitching is obviously a big part of an agencies work these days. I have been involved in a few pitches and it's a good feeling when you win but I think it would feel like a lot of wasted time and money if you were to lose.
Do you agree with this system or do you take part in the pitching process out of necessity?
It’s necessary to continually proactively hunt new business. But also to service your existing clients as if they are new ones. New customers cost more to get than keeping old ones so never forget to treat them as special as the first day. There are occasionally fixed fee based pitches but these are rare. Sometimes remuneration based pitches with costs covered but only if you win. Most are win or lose out...so you just have to win more than lose...and win the big ones ( and some smaller ones if they look good on your client list so add their own value ). You just have to be careful what you go for and ascertain the cost of success/failure. Pitches can easily cost thousands and thousands if films involved and man hours are high. Its alright thinking you can do all the work in house but you still need to cover salary. Some of this is absorbed but your overall business plan must include a budget towards new business.
Re how it feels – like all things in life –the best ever feeling if your effort pays off and the worst if it doesn’t...but that just proves you put your all into it and that’s the only way to tackle a pitch. They are part of our business. However, more and more we will win business on reputation ( credentials pitches) and menu costing. So a potential new client can see what you have done/won, maybe expect a point of view on their business, and know exactly what its going to cost them.
5.) I have been working as a freelancer recently and have run a small business the past couple of years which has helped me learn to deal with clients and sourcing web coders and signwriters etc.
Apart from being a source of income, do you feel that it is worthwhile during studying to get involved in real work and start to interact with other businesses. Do you think these skills can be important in helping you get a job?
Absolutely...real experience is invaluable. Helps you understand how people’s jobs interlink in the chain from idea to finished production. Helps you negotiate and hit deadlines. But importantly...it can teach you the importance of responsibility...taking that leap of faith with a supplier, with your client’s money but at your risk, and make damn well sure its your responsibility it turns out perfect as you want it.
Re job seeking it definately gives you a head start...its the difference between hiring someone from scratch and training them everything and being able to give them a brief on day one and let them get going.
Contact Report: Questionnaire - Parisa @ Mccann Erickson
Questionnaire:
1.) Recently, myself and James entered 10 awards between us for D&AD and YCN. This has possibly had a slightly negative impact on our Final Major Project's as we have not spent as much time on them as other people on our course who entered one or none. We felt that it is our last chance to win student awards so we wanted to give ourselves a good chance. Tutors have told us a number of times to be wary of spreading ourselves too thin on each entry by doing so many. We were advised to focus on one or two and make them entries better. However we feel all of the entries had a chance of winning so we worked them all up and sent them off.
Do you think we approached this in the right way or would you agree with my tutors? What are your thoughts on the subject of student awards?
I think student awards are a great place to start your career. If you win
them it could get your name in front of the right people.
From my experience many people get placements from student awards, which are the best way to get jobs. Sometimes winning awards are more important to agencies rather than your degree grade.
I probably would have entered 5 rather than 10 to make sure the ideas that I entered were as strong as possible and so that my degree work would not suffer. If you thought that all the ideas you entered were good though…why not!
2.) I am of the opinion that good ideas should be put ahead of the design of anything. I did my dissertation on this subject and found out a lot about products and advertising doing their job well rather than just looking nice.
How much emphasis do you think should be put into an idea with relation to the design and why?
In my opinion the idea is the most important element, however the design may have an effect on how the idea is portrayed. It may hide the idea or enhance it. I think you should spend enough time on the design to make sure it almost makes your idea even better so that your idea is not let down by the design.
3.) I have now done a number of work placements at various design/ad agencies which I feel has helped me adapt to the industry. It is a much faster pace and more of a challenge to be in an actual workplace.
What do you think about the importance of placements and what are the benefits/disadvantages of having placements in your agency?
University life is very different to the working world. As much as you hear about the industry it’s best to get first hand experience. I personally learnt a lot from my placements. Students need to get used to feedback which may be much more critical and placements are the best place to start. It’s also important to work along side seniors as they are great teachers. I think agencies only benefit from placements as they get a fresh, more up to date input on work and an extra pair of hands.
4.) Pitching is obviously a big part of an agencies work these days. I have been involved in a few pitches and it's a good feeling when you win but I think it would feel like a lot of wasted time and money if you were to lose.
Do you agree with this system or do you take part in the pitching process out of necessity?
5.) I have been working as a freelancer recently and have run a small business the past couple of years which has helped me learn to deal with clients and sourcing web coders and signwriters etc.
Apart from being a source of income, do you feel that it is worthwhile during studying to get involved in real work and start to interact with other businesses. Do you think these skills can be important in helping you get a job?
Of course it’s worthwhile. Not only do you get client experience but any good piece of work you do can go towards your portfolio.
1.) Recently, myself and James entered 10 awards between us for D&AD and YCN. This has possibly had a slightly negative impact on our Final Major Project's as we have not spent as much time on them as other people on our course who entered one or none. We felt that it is our last chance to win student awards so we wanted to give ourselves a good chance. Tutors have told us a number of times to be wary of spreading ourselves too thin on each entry by doing so many. We were advised to focus on one or two and make them entries better. However we feel all of the entries had a chance of winning so we worked them all up and sent them off.
Do you think we approached this in the right way or would you agree with my tutors? What are your thoughts on the subject of student awards?
I think student awards are a great place to start your career. If you win
them it could get your name in front of the right people.
From my experience many people get placements from student awards, which are the best way to get jobs. Sometimes winning awards are more important to agencies rather than your degree grade.
I probably would have entered 5 rather than 10 to make sure the ideas that I entered were as strong as possible and so that my degree work would not suffer. If you thought that all the ideas you entered were good though…why not!
2.) I am of the opinion that good ideas should be put ahead of the design of anything. I did my dissertation on this subject and found out a lot about products and advertising doing their job well rather than just looking nice.
How much emphasis do you think should be put into an idea with relation to the design and why?
In my opinion the idea is the most important element, however the design may have an effect on how the idea is portrayed. It may hide the idea or enhance it. I think you should spend enough time on the design to make sure it almost makes your idea even better so that your idea is not let down by the design.
3.) I have now done a number of work placements at various design/ad agencies which I feel has helped me adapt to the industry. It is a much faster pace and more of a challenge to be in an actual workplace.
What do you think about the importance of placements and what are the benefits/disadvantages of having placements in your agency?
University life is very different to the working world. As much as you hear about the industry it’s best to get first hand experience. I personally learnt a lot from my placements. Students need to get used to feedback which may be much more critical and placements are the best place to start. It’s also important to work along side seniors as they are great teachers. I think agencies only benefit from placements as they get a fresh, more up to date input on work and an extra pair of hands.
4.) Pitching is obviously a big part of an agencies work these days. I have been involved in a few pitches and it's a good feeling when you win but I think it would feel like a lot of wasted time and money if you were to lose.
Do you agree with this system or do you take part in the pitching process out of necessity?
5.) I have been working as a freelancer recently and have run a small business the past couple of years which has helped me learn to deal with clients and sourcing web coders and signwriters etc.
Apart from being a source of income, do you feel that it is worthwhile during studying to get involved in real work and start to interact with other businesses. Do you think these skills can be important in helping you get a job?
Of course it’s worthwhile. Not only do you get client experience but any good piece of work you do can go towards your portfolio.
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Innocent Drinks Contact
I am in ongoing contact with innocent drinks about potentially pushing one of my ideas of advertising into production with them so hopefully soon I will be able to put the finished article on here. Above is the original e-mail I sent to find out who to contact.
True North
Unfortunately term time is about to end but I am still yet to see a couple of people who I have planned to see with my work. True North are a company I like and recently we did a 1 day brief where I came up with Christmas card ideas for them. I have contacted them with regards to showing them my idea and luckily the e-mailed back straight away and were impressed that I was not just asking to show my work but potentially assist them with their ideas.
I will be visiting them next week.
Sunday, 22 February 2009
E-mail replies
Sometimes agencies cannot help with your enquiries and requests for work experience for whatever reason but here a few e-mails I had back off people who were kind enough to reply anyway.
Saturday, 21 February 2009
Truth Visit
I was scheduled to be going to visit Truth at their office on the 13th Feb but we have since had to re-arrange as they were out of office and I will be going to see them in the near future.
Hemisphere Design Contact
I contacted Hemisphere design a while ago for some advice and possibly getting a placement. Unfortunately it was not possible to do a placement there however I received some good advice from the managing director which will help me in the future.
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